Baseball field construction?

[True Blue]

Anybody know when it is supposed to start? I know the season just ended, but the talk was that it was going to begin as soon as the last pitch was thrown. It seems like their is a lot to get done before next season!:sycamores:

[SycEm]

No activity has started over there of yet - and you are right about the tight timeline. If they don't get moving soon, they will certainly have issues with getting the 2010 season into the new facility. Certainly, the fall workout period will have to be somewhere else, but we might be at risk of losing the Spring 2010 slate if we aren't careful.

[msreason]

I sent an e-mail to A-D Ron Prettyman's office this morning to see what the timeline is. Hope someone sees it!

[BankShot]

I thought that thing was "shovel ready?" Didn't the Chinaman post a pic of all the "Head Cheese's" digging in during the Friday UE game? Must've struck one of Mayor Tucker's old hot lines to the "red district" and the local Historical Society has put a freeze on development!

[msreason]

Here's the reply I received today from Ron Prettyman regarding the status of construction for the baseball stadium construction:

We are still wrapping up some loose ends with contractual obligations on the baseball field construction project. That is why we have not been able to be more visible with the construction timeline or plans. Hopefully in the next week or two we will finalize things.

We have been assured by the contractor that we can complete the project prior to next season.

Thanks for your interest.

I look forward to seeing you at the games next season.

Ron Prettyman
Athletics Director
Indiana State University

[msreason]

Let's hope it can get started this month as Ron Prettyman stated above. It would really be nice to see the stadium 100% complete for the opening games in pre-season. The new stadium, the success of the team, the honors received by the team members and Coach Meggs and now having five Sycamores selected during the MLB draft all point to a lot more notoriety and hopefully great magnets for the summer recruiting season.

[BankShot]

"Right arm, MS.

COMPLETION is also a nice recruiting enhancement...

I'm hopeful that we'll only lose Broncho & Shoe in the MLB Draft. Still surprised that Strausborger was taken. He needs to hit the Hoosier German bierstube & bratwurst scene and add a lil' muscle to his frame this Summer and he'll be ready NEXT year!

[BlueBleeder]

I sent an email a couple days ago to get another update on construction process.....here is the response:

Mr. XXXXXXXX:
Thanks for your good words of support. Yes, the baseball construction is still a “go” and we have been assured by our contractor that the project will be completed by next baseball season. Construction should start by the middle of July. There are a few more things that we have to do with permits and other hurdles to get by, but we are working on those each day. We appreciate your support of our programs and are looking forward to the day when we can be in our new baseball facility to cheer for the Sycamores. Have a good summer. I will see you at the games.


GO SYCAMORES!

Ron Prettyman
Athletics Director
Indiana State University

812-237-4089

[SycEm]

Word is that work will begin next week - I believe July 8 was the actual date - on the new baseball field construction project.

[msreason]

That is definitely good news...gotta get most of the major work done before the snow flies. It will certainly be a welcome addition to the baseball program, the University and the community.

[jlandrus23]

It's July 9 and ISU still hasn't started construction on the new stadium yet. They better get working before it gets too cold and snowy to work on the stadium. If they get it done before next season, it should be a nice contributor for future recruits, and maybe us getting a bid to host a Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in the future.

[SkinnyLu]

Really, Cordell has been home for 4 weeks already and no signs of working on the field yet.

The "ground breaking" ceremony was obviously premature. Maybe next season they will do it over again. :imslow:

[SycEm]

Drove by there yesterday and nothing has changed since May - in fact it appears in even worse shape since they seem to not be doing the regular maintenance that would normally occur. Weeds are growing through all the gravel in the spectator areas, etc. - looks terrible.

[TJames]

don't worry.....calm down....the world isnt coming to an end....lol.....the new stadium will be ready on time.....

[BankShot]

:violent:
Weeds are growing through all the gravel in the spectator areas

Maybe Megg's is experimenting with some of those new CA "fundraising" ideas?:naughty:

[BlueSycamore]

Update from today's tribstar:

http://www.tribstar.com/sports

[BankShot]

Nice to see recognition of TH's historic support of baseball by Prospect League associates! The collegiate league would be an ad hoc extension of Megg's ISU program, allowing locally-rooted players an opportunity to live, work & play @ home during the Summer while continuing to refine their skills.:sycamores:

[SkinnyLu]

Anybody drive by the field lately? Wondering if they are rockin and rolling yet?

[BlueBleeder]

NOPE....better start soon or it wont be done in time! Cant assume the winter will allow sufficient time to complete outdoor construction. If it doesn't begin within a few weeks they are really risking the beginning of next season's home games.

[TJames]

like i have said...calm down folks.....the new stadium will be ready on time.....think positive....

[jlandrus23]

I don't think the stadium will be done on time because it's already almost August and it starts getting really cold on October and they haven't even started demolition yet.