By MALLORY PARUSZEWSKI
Student Reporter
The Northwestern softball field’s last renovation was the summer of 2018. The dirt and grass field has covered dugouts, a fully enclosed press box, state-of-the-art stadium lights and covered grandstands.
Now, the NWOSU softball fields are getting another makeover and adding a turf field.
Though workers broke ground on the upgrade in November of 2023, they didn’t make much progress until December 2023 and are still busy with construction for the time being.
The anticipated completion date is March 15, but it is not for sure yet because it was supposed to be done a couple times already.
The turf field allows for fewer games being canceled because of rainouts or rain delays and is easier to maintain.
The Lady Ranger softball team is not able to practice on their home field while the construction continues.
They are currently practicing on the Rangers football field, throwing, fielding ground balls. Also they are working on technique and spend time at the Alva high school softball fields.
Senior Hannah Howell said the team misses a normal practice.
“We wish we could practice on our field, but we are making it work and are super excited for the upgrade,” Howell said.
The university doesn’t own the softball field. Instead, it rents the field from the Alva Recreation Complex every month.
The complex has always talked about changing all the fields to turf, so the city is the one paying for the transformation. In a technical aspect, the rent money from Northwestern is also paying for the field.
The Lady Rangers softball team hopes to play on their new field soon.
