Next Big Step

Cardinal baseball, softball look to turn ‘dream’ facility project into reality

In recent years, Ball State University baseball and softball fans have undoubtedly noticed a series of upgrades and renovations at the First Merchants Ballpark Complex. From 2014-16, these changes at both Ball Diamond for baseball and the softball field included the installation of FieldTurf playing surfaces, new dugouts, new concession stands, and updated graphics showing off the programs’ rich history of success, which includes 16 conference titles for baseball—most recently in 2023—and 15 for softball.

Now the two programs are preparing for the next big step forward for their respective facilities, highlighted by the construction of on-site locker rooms. Currently, the baseball and softball programs use locker rooms facilities located at Worthen Arena, a 1.4-mile drive from their fields.

“As we continue to develop our baseball and softball programs to enjoy sustainable success, we are fortunate to have generous donors who would like to see this project come to fruition,” Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell said. “The idea—at minimum—is to build a locker room that attaches to both the baseball and softball home dugouts along their respective third-base lines. That will provide the opportunity for our student-athletes to prepare for practice and competition on site. I want our student-athletes to transition from student to athlete and athlete to student at their site of competition, as opposed to having to go from one venue to the next.

“This has been a shared vision to help directly benefit student-athletes in both sports.”

Rich Maloney, who begins his 19th season as Ball State’s head baseball coach this Spring, is looking forward to seeing the facility improvements come to fruition.

“In fairness to our program, our tradition, and everything that we’ve done through all of the success that we’ve had, this is a big step that needs to be taken, and we’re thrilled about the direction we’re heading,” Coach Maloney said. “This has been a dream for a lot of us for a long time.”

The facility project will also serve as a boon for the Cardinals in terms of player development and recruiting, according to first-year head softball coach Helen Peña.

“I think this alone is going to attract some high-level recruits,” she said.

For Coach Peña, the project is a strong example of University administration showing its support of two sports programs that have dominated on the diamond.

“There’s such a rich history here that was attractive to me, including the history of what the alumni have built,” she said. “It’s important to show them we’re still trying to move forward.”