Men's baseball coach Jake Boss Jr. encourages players from third base in the third game of the series against the University of Illinois on May 5, 2013, at McLane Baseball Stadium at Old College Field. The Spartans won 4-3 after trailing 3-1 for a majority of the game. Danyelle Morrow/The State News
The Spartan baseball and softball teams announced on Thursday that McLane Stadium and Secchia Stadium will get new lights to start off the 2019 season.
The donation for the lights are courtesy of an anonymous $1.4 million donation from a Spartan graduate.
“This is an exciting enhancement to McLane Stadium at Kobs Field and Secchia Stadium, and will improve what are already excellent venues for college baseball and softball,” MSU Athletic Director Bill Beekman said in a press release.
“Having lights will not only bolster the student-athlete experience, but will allow our baseball and softball student-athletes to still attend their classes during the day and then play games at night. We are excited about the opportunity to improve the atmospheres at Spartan baseball and softball games.”
The LED lights will be identical to those already used by other Spartan Athletic venues, such as Spartan Stadium, DeMartin Field and the Breslin Center.
Michigan State will be the first team in the Big Ten Conference that will utilize these types of lights on the baseball diamond and softball field.
Both teams are appreciative of the Board of Trustees approval for the installation of the lights, the release said.
“This is a game-changer for our program and it’s something that we’ve wanted to do for a while now, and fortunately, we now have the opportunity to get that done,” MSU baseball coach Jake Boss Jr. said in the release. “We’ve seen the exciting environments that our soccer programs have had from the lights and the atmosphere for the student-athletes and the fans, and we’re looking forward to showcasing a beautiful facility and a great atmosphere after the sun goes down this spring."
The baseball team will host nine games starting after 5 p.m. this season while the softball team will host seven.
The Spartan baseball team kicks off their season Feb. 15, in New Orleans before hosting Central Michigan March 20.
The Spartans softball team kicks off their season Feb. 8, in Florida before hosting Western Michigan on March 8.
“This affords us the flexibility to schedule when our fans can watch; both on TV and in person," MSU softball coach Jacquie Joseph said in the release. "We’re extremely excited to play under the lights this spring and can’t wait for the outstanding atmosphere it’s going to create for our fans in making games at Secchia Stadium even more exciting.”
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