RENO, NV – This year The University of Nevada, Reno’s softball team will be playing on new grounds. The Christina Hixson Softball Complex will be ready for play during Nevada’s first home game against Fresno State on March 23.

The complex is named after the generous contributor who donated the two million needed to purchase the land from Bishop Manogue Catholic High School. The 23 acre field across from Peccole Park on Evans Ave. has many appealing amenities. The facility can seat 1,000 people, with a possible addition of 500 more if bleachers are added. Two batting cages are accessible for the home team and one batting cage is located on the visitor’s side. Dugout and restrooms have been completed on the facility along with parking for 168 vehicles. Temporary facilities, such as concession stands and ticket booths, will be in place for the 2007 season until permanent ones are constructed.

On the field, natural grass is used in the outfield and hilltopper, an absorbing, waterless, dirt compound will be used in the infield. This makes for a playable surface after rainfall. Field sizes are 200 feet down the right and left sides, 210 feet to right and left center, and 220 feet to centerfield.

Before their new field was completed, Nevada’s softball team competed at Idlewild Park. Their new field will have slightly different dimensions then what the girls are used to, but Head Coach, Michelle Gardner said in a press release, “I’m very excited to finally have a place to call home. A lot of people have done a lot of hard work for this facility and we are grateful for what we are going to have.”