Jake DeBoever steps up to the plate, draws a line in the dirt and waits for the pitch that could make him a hero.
But that pitch never comes: the umpire calls time, ending the game because it’s too dark to see. The Lions lose and everyone is left wondering if he would’ve hit that walk-off home run or if the team would’ve lost fair and square. According to DeBoever, either possibility is better than the reality.
“It sucks to lose a game and not even have a chance to finish, have the chance to win,” DeBoever said.
The lack of lighting on its home field has been a challenge the baseball team has faced for the better part of a century, but with the combination of a few close games being called early, a new head coach and changes in facilities all around the athletic department, the issue has come roaring back into relevance and players, fans and coaches are looking for answers.
Baseball coach Dennis Kelly agrees that, especially before daylight savings time, the lighting situation was problematic.
“Lights definitely impact the game schedule and the pre-DST pre-season and practice schedule,” Kelly said. “Home games start at 4 p.m. pre-DST; and even then are typically shortened due to sundown. We are fortunate to have the fieldhouse, so practices can be adapted quite easily to finish inside if the need arises.”
The fieldhouse, recently implemented next to Morris G. Spencxer gymnasium, has been a game-changer for how the team adapts to this setback. Sophomore Clayton Sacha said the fieldhouse has been a useful space to practice when conditions outside don’t allow for it.
“I think (the fieldhouse) is a huge upgrade from previous outdoor batting cages,” Sacha said. “It’s great to have an indoor space now for practice when it’s raining or when it gets dark.”
DeBoever agrees that the fieldhouse is a great addition, but he points out that it doesn’t solve many of what he feels are the fundamental problems with team facilities.
“The fieldhouse is awesome, but I don’t think that on the list of priorities, the fieldhouse was necessarily up there,” DeBoever said, “I think a lot of people would have traded the fieldhouse for lights, maybe a revamped field or cages with a cover.”
Kelly emphasizes the importance of making the most out of what the team has rather than focusing on uncontrollables.
“We could probably list dozens of things that we lack, but I am more grateful for the abundance we do have,” Kelly said. “We have a great coaching staff, dedicated athletes, a brand new fieldhouse, renovated outdoor cages, enough baseballs and I could go on.”
