Imagine parking on University Street between McArthur Court and East 18th Avenue without worry of a broken windshield or dented car during softball season.
Think of sitting right behind home plate — just behind the fence, on field level, in the first row — watching the Ducks host an NCAA softball tournament.
Now picture a different view to left field — those hills might not be seen from the new location — and even a new scoreboard.
In a backward sort of way, this new basketball arena plan is working out to be a sweet deal for more than a few college hoopsters.
The chosen site for the “new Mac Court” — the area just southeast of the existing facility — is home to, among other things, the Oregon softball team’s Howe Field.
Taking that space for the arena means relocating softball to an area yet to be determined. And while the space is being chosen, the requests come flooding in for location, amenities and outfield view.
The first request that women’s softball head coach Kathy Arendsen and I agree on is that the new field meets NCAA eligibility for hosting a regional tournament.
“I’m hoping that we will make sure we are eligible,” Arendsen said after the arena decision was announced on Saturday. “That’s including lights, and there’s minimum seating allowances to that.”
With the coaching and playing levels of the softball team on par with the Pacific-10 Conference — the best softball conference in the nation — it’s time for a stadium that is eligible to host NCAA tournaments. It will benefit and showcase the school, the athletic department and the Eugene community.
Another request Arendsen had — and I agree with this one as well — is proximity to campus. That’s the biggest issue of all.
“We definitely want to be accessible to students,” Arendsen said. “I think that’s one of the strengths of Howe — students can easily walk up. So I’m hoping that will still be the case.”
As it stands now, Howe is in an opportune spot on campus. Students on their way home to the South University community can stop by and catch an inning of softball. Other student athletes on their way to or from practice and training rooms can support their softball counterparts.
Unfortunately, the chosen location may spot the new softball digs in the Autzen Stadium realm — with women’s soccer and lacrosse nearby.
“We’re just starting to look at potential space we currently own,” Athletics Director Bill Moos said following Saturday’s press conference. “In all reality we will most probably have to relocate Howe Field away from the central campus.”
That may not be kosher with softball supporters. Having the field on campus benefits the athletes in their first duty: academics. Classes are closer to practice and practice is closer to study hall. The amenities and necessities are within a 10-minute walk.
“When all the dust settles, the most important thing to us is our students,” Moos said.
Here’s something the athletic department needs to remember: The athletes are students too.
On the other side of the relocation issue is the design of the new field. With recent projects on the Oregon campus including the Autzen remodel, the new Lillis Business Complex and the Knight Law Center, there is a commonality among all campus construction projects: appearance before location.
“It’s going to be beautiful the way they build the facilities around here,” Arendsen said. “Everything I’ve seen … is just stunning. I know they’re going to give us a showcase facility as well.”
A new field is going to bring the biggest benefit to the softball program with regard to recruiting. A relocated Howe Field with updated amenities will be an attraction to the program for recruits.
“It’s going to be an advantage in recruiting,” Arendsen said. “And it will be fun to show off.”