Billiken Sports Center

Billiken Sports Center
Exterior view of the stadium in 2017
Interactive map of Billiken Sports Center
AddressSt. Louis, MO
Laclede Avenue east of Grand Boulevard
United States
Coordinates38°38′04″N 90°13′45″W / 38.634481°N 90.229232°W / 38.634481; -90.229232
OwnerSaint Louis University
OperatorSaint Louis University
Capacity500
TypeBallpark
SurfaceNatural grass (1999–present)
Artificial turf (1990–1999)
ScoreboardElectronic
Field sizeLeft Field: 330 feet (100 m)
Left Center Field: 370 feet (110 m)
Center Field: 403 feet (123 m)
Right Center Field: 370 feet (110 m)
Right Field: 330 feet (100 m)
Current useBaseball
Construction
Built1990
Opened1990 (1990)
Renovated1994, 1995, 1999
Construction costUSD$1.5 million (estimated)
ArchitectHastings and Chivetta
Main contractorsSverdrup Corporation
Tenants
Website
slubillikens.com/billiken-sports-center

The Billiken Sports Center is a baseball venue in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. It is home to the Saint Louis Billikens baseball team of the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference.[1] The facility also includes the softball venue used since 2000 by the Billiken softball program.[2] From 1990–1994, the facility was also home to Saint Louis' soccer programs.[3] The baseball facility, built in 1991 and first used in 1992, has a capacity of 500 spectators.

History

Prior to the opening of the Billiken Sports Center, Saint Louis' baseball program played at Sauget Field in Sauget, Illinois. The first baseball game at the current venue was played on March 2, 1992. The Billikens defeated the Division III Washington University Bears 7–3.[1]

The facility underwent several renovations in the 1990s. In 1994, fences in foul territory were improved, and in 1995, the outfield fence was renovated. In 1999, the field's artificial turf surface was replaced with natural grass.[1]

As of the end of the 2009 season, Saint Louis baseball had a 248–205 record at the facility.[1]

Features

In addition to the features added in 1990s renovations, the field also has a brick backstop, brick dugouts, padded outfield fences, bullpens, and batting cages.[1]

Chaifetz Arena is visible beyond the center field wall of the baseball diamond.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "The Billiken Sports Center - Baseball". SLU Billikens. Saint Louis University Athletic Department. Archived from the original on November 16, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  2. ^ "The Billiken Sports Center - Softball". SLU Billikens. Saint Louis University Athletic Department. Archived from the original on November 15, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  3. ^ "Robert R. Hermann Stadium - Men's & Women's Soccer". SLU Billikens. Saint Louis University Athletic Department. Archived from the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2012.