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SPORTS
Softball team loving new digs at 'The Dot'
Marshall first baseman Rachel Schmidt prepares to field a ball on the infield at Dot Hicks Field. Monday was the first full practice for the Marshall softball team on its new FieldTurf surface.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON -- On Monday afternoon, Marshall softball coach Shonda Stanton simply could not believe her eyes.
"Man, is this not absolutely gorgeous?" Stanton asked while watching her team.
No, it wasn't the 75-degree weather that Stanton was referring to. It was the brand new Dot Hicks Field that her team was practicing on for the first time.
So, just how wonderful is this new field sitting along Third Avenue right across from Joan C. Edwards Stadium?
Despite going 0-4 at the Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn., last weekend and having bus trouble on the trip home that kept the Thundering Herd from getting into Huntington until 6 a.m. Monday, the team was in full gear by 1:30 p.m. Monday with a renewed vigor as they got in their first repetitions on the new surface.
"We came out so fresh and excited," Stanton said. "Obviously, it is because of this facility. It is a fresh start. To come home and have a 70-degree day and get out on this gorgeous facility, you could just see they were excited to be on the new Dot. They had so much energy and were so pumped."
Even though excited, Monday's first workout had its share of lessons as well. Marshall players had to get used to the trajectory of balls hit in the air and the bounce of the ball when on the new FieldTurf surface.
And much to the delight and laughter of players, Marshall assistant coach Shane Winkler learned that even though the playing surface will not turn into a muddy mess anymore, the same cannot be said for the surrounding areas.
Winkler walked out of the batting cages and around to shag balls that had escaped under the fence and wound up ankle-deep in mud from the ongoing construction of the clubhouse portion of the complex.
Even though at Winkler's expense, it was a direct lesson in why the team needed a FieldTurf surface on which to play. Last season, the ankle-deep mud was on the actual playing surface and the Herd had to venture away from its home field to get games in at this time of year.
Now, the Herd is set for its first Conference USA home series which starts March 15 against No. 14 Houston. Stanton also said Marshall will open the home slate even earlier on next season's schedule.
"If you look at our schedule this year, we have 60 games and we are on the road for 40," Stanton said. "We are going to host a tournament next year and we have a number of home doubleheaders."
While Monday was a new beginning for Marshall softball, Stanton reflected on the past year and how the entire Marshall community came together to get the project done.
"All of those involved have just done a great job of getting this ready because they had a tight timeframe," Stanton said. "It started with the vision of the President (Stephen Kopp) and everybody just got this job done. It's incredible."
