 Softball |
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October 29, 2007 With NCAA rules and limitations on D-III athletics, our fall softball seasons are usually compressed and concluded way before the end of October. However, this year was much different as we stretched our practices throughout the month in order to prepare for this opportunity to play in Volunteer Nation at Knoxville. Although, it was a long and anxious fall season for us, the wait was worth the experience! The term "field of dreams" definitely describes Lee Stadium. The field was beautifully crafted into a miniature MLB stadium. From stadium seating, VIP press boxes, to specialized batting cages, and Astroturf, the field of dreams contained all of the luxuries of a professional baseball stadium. The construction of the entire stadium was not finished, probably because of the detail of the clubhouse, theatre room, and the elevators leading to the press boxes! As impressed as I was personally at the quality of the actual field and dugouts, I was amazed at the convenience of the covered batting cages...Four spacious batting cages, all lined with high quality Astroturf, covered from the weather, including ceiling fans and lights, and accessible directly from the clubhouse! (Not to mention the bullpen!) Standing in centerfield looking up into the stands is a memory I will never forget. In a stadium equipped to hold more than 1,600 people, I cannot tell you how breathtaking this experience was! Hosting top Junior Colleges, NAIA, and Division I teams, Methodist was the only D-III team present. We played three games, including Volunteer State (JUCO), the University of Tennessee (D-I), and Western Kentucky University (D-I). Everyone on the team was given the opportunity to play and make history for our program. Years from now we will all be able to say that we played the first game ever on Sunday in the Sherri Parker Lee Softball Stadium at the University of Tennessee! |
