A DREAM FIELD: OTAHKS CHANGE ADDRESS TO STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY

Southeast Missouri State University softball coach Lana Richmond surveys the Otahkians' brand-new stadium and smiles.

"I've been here 17 years," she said. "It's about time I got a new home."

And what a new home it is. The complex is a state-of-the-art facility that includes batting cages, bullpens, large dugouts, a large press box and bleacher seating for about 600 fans, with space for more bleachers if needed. There are also a concession stand, restrooms and storage rooms.

Located at the corner of Sprigg and Bertling streets only a few blocks from the Show Me Center, the field is part of the upgrade to the university's intramural fields, soccer field and track facilities.

"It's a great facility, undoubtedly the best in the Ohio Valley Conference and one of the finest in the nation," said Richmond. "The new facility will definitely help our program. We're looking forward to playing there and continuing the proud tradition of Southeast Missouri State softball."

The Otahkians have played their home games at Parker Field on campus in the past few seasons.

"Parker was a nice place to play, but we just didn't have the room for a lot of these things," Richmond said. "We also didn't have dugouts. These dugouts are really nice."

According to Richmond, one of the best things about the new facility is it will allow Southeast to easily host tournaments. Two intramural fields that flank the main collegiate field can be used for tournaments and all three fields are lighted, meaning all games can be played at one site.

"We hosted the OVC Tournament last year and this facility would have been perfect for that," said Richmond.

The first official game on the new field, in fact, will be a tournament contest. The Otahkians host the Southeast Classic this weekend, with several games both Saturday and Sunday.