Tiger Stadium
Constructed: 1999
Seating capacity: 500
Infield: Oklahoma Red Clay
Outfield: Fescue Grass
Tiger Stadium is home to the Fort Hays State University softball team. Groundbreaking for the stadium occurred in January of 1998 and was ready for action by February of 1999.
Tiger Stadium is on the south side of Gross Memorial Coliseum/Cunningham Hall. The park features concession facilities and stadium seating (installed in 2013) for 500 Tiger fans.
Both dugouts were built above ground with a six foot high protection fence in front. A large press box sits behind the stands which houses the public address announcer, scoreboard operator, official scorer, and working media.
Park dimensions are 200 feet down the left and right field lines, 210 feet to the power alleys and 220 feet to center field. The outfield fence stands eight feet high.
Prior to the 2012 season, the stadium received a major facelift as the wooden outfield fence was painted black with a gold distance marks and trim on top of the fence. The tops of the dugouts were also painted black, along with the backstop behind home plate.
More renovations are planned for the fall of 2013 that will include stadium style seating behind home plate instead of just the bleacher style seats that are currently in place.
Upgrades to the park were made before the 2007 season with the installation of an Oklahoma red clay infield surface. The surface is excellent for the Kansas wind and has a high moisture content ratio, providing the ability to withstand spring storms, particularly in the absence of field tarp. Drought resistent fescue grass is the surface in the outfield and foul territory.
In the summer of 2007, a new net-style backstop replaced the old chain link backstop behind home plate. In 2008, a new scoreboard with LED lighting was installed beyond the outfield wall.
Behind the center field portion of the fence sits three flagpoles which hold the American, State of Kansas and FHSU flags. The chainlink fence alongside foul territory contains billboards of Tiger supporters.
The stadium also features two bullpens and two batting tunnels. They are located outside the playing area down the right and left field lines. Lights were installed in the summer of 2003 to aid in hosting tournaments and night contests. The lights are positioned behind each dugout and to each side of right and left field.
Tiger Stadium was the site of the 2013 NCAA Division II Central Regional as the Tigers earned the No. 1 seed in the region and finished the season at 47-12, best in program history. It marked the first-ever postseason action at the stadium.
