Construction continues: What to expect at baseball games

by Rylee Bamberger

The Troy Trojans baseball team has announced that it will play its 32 home games at Riddle-Pace Field. The season’s venues were in question due to the stadium’s ongoing $12 million renovations.

“The plan is to complete the renovations in two phases,” said Joe Bialkoski, Troy University’s Director of Player Development and Analytics. “Phase One is what everyone sees.”

Phase One’s renovations include new cushioned chairback seats that spell out Troy, coaches’ boxes, radio booths and two new exclusive suites.

Phase Two is more suited to the coaching staff, faculty, and players. These renovations include a lounge, a nutrition station for the players, a new locker room, and a players’ meeting room that will be used for film studies and press conferences.

However, Phase Two has a new addition that every fan can enjoy.

“Our scoreboard will be the biggest scoreboard in the Sun Belt,” Bialkoski said. Phase Two’s renovations will not begin until the last home game is completed. All of the changes are estimated to be complete in spring of 2024.

Although the location is the same spot Trojan baseball fans are used to, there are gameday changes fans need to know.

“The front entrance won’t be ready so will enter right behind the first base dugout,” Bialkoski said.

The construction to the concourse will also not be finished by the first game, however, the concession stand will still be open and will be in a fenced area to avoid any injuries.

“Our plan continues to be to play games at Riddle-Pace Field with fans in the stands,” Jones said. “It might have to be a ‘pardon our progress’ as we continue to work through some construction.”

Right-handed pitcher Brady Fuller, a sophomore from Auburn, Alabama, said the construction has not affected the team’s practice.

“It’s been awesome, because we’ve been out there every day and seen the construction firsthand,” Fuller said.

Opening weekend begins on Friday, Feb. 17, at 4 p.m. at Riddle-Pace Field. The Trojans start their season with a three-game series against the University of Evansville.

The series opener will be followed by games on Saturday and Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.