Oklahoma Softball greats, fans honor Marita Hynes Field in its final homestand
As the Oklahoma Sooners host their super regional matchup with the Clemson Tigers in an effort to defend their back-to-back national championships, they say goodbye to the place they’ve called home for the last 25 years.
With Oklahoma’s Love’s Field set to open in time for the 2024 home slate, the Sooners are playing their last series at Marita Hynes Field in Norman. It’s been the home to national champions and national players of the year. It’s been the place where Patty Gasso has established the legend that’s made her the face of college softball.
With the weekend to say goodbye to Marita Hynes Field, Oklahoma softball greats of the past and fans shared what they felt about one of the legendary sites of collegiate athletics.
The Lady, The Legend, Marita Hynes
As promised, Marita Hynes is on hand for the final weekend at the stadium that bears her name: pic.twitter.com/XCSXaKtap7
— Eli Lederman (@ByEliLederman) May 26, 2023
A Legendary Stadium
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 ♥️🏡
25 years of memories, with a few more left to make. pic.twitter.com/SaiSqsaxJ6
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) May 25, 2023
A place where stars were born
All the feels going into this weekend for Marita 🥹 Thank you for the good, bad and ugly memories 😅and thank you for being home for so many of us apart of OUr program and #SoonerNation #BOOMER☝️ https://t.co/0b5tYBEpoc
— Keilani Ricketts Tumanuvao (@laniricketts10) May 26, 2023
The Queen Speaks
Truly can’t put into words what being a Oklahoma Sooner Softball player has meant to me! This place and people have changed my life in more ways than I can imagine and I’m so grateful for this program💐✨ @OU_Softball Girl—>WOMAN https://t.co/CwrNwUX0RZ
— Jocelyn Alo (@78jocelyn_alo) May 25, 2023
One of bazillion dingers
I hit the very first home run out of there vs Wichita State my freshman year, spring of 1998!!! I LOVE that place!!! pic.twitter.com/kBcw4AlZ8F
— Ashli Barrett Wigington (@ashliwig25) May 25, 2023
The GOAT
Marita celebrating! pic.twitter.com/FccvqvksRN
— Nancy Alsup (@nancyalsup) May 25, 2023
Bedlam Battles
One of my favorite memories was playing a Bedlam game at night and making a big play on defense and hearing the crowd erupt. The sound still sticks in my mind. https://t.co/62GVUR9sq7
— Tiffany Fairbourne (@TiffanyFairbou2) May 25, 2023
Team
❤️❤️ The teammates, the softball, the memories…. The outtie fans. So much softball has been played at this stadium. Can’t wait to be apart of the crowd and get Maritza Hynes rockin for one last time 🥹😍 @OU_Softball https://t.co/ycltORoarC
— nicole mendes (@nicole_mendes_) May 25, 2023
A special place
Best moments of my life on this field ❤️ https://t.co/2de5OdZ6cs
— Erin Miller Thiessen (@erinmiller48) May 25, 2023
Marita Hynes = Home
All of the emotions – so much more than a field – a HOME to so many of us 🏡❤️ https://t.co/z88Vnpjs1A
— Lea Wodach (@leawodach) May 25, 2023
Legendary Figures of Softball
When Coach Patty threw me a ball after pregame warm up!
Watching Jocelyn Alo play her last home game last season. https://t.co/jZc4mOmmYO
— Reese “Reese’s Puff” Jones (@ReeseJones_2031) May 25, 2023
Growing the Game
This single location birthed memories for players, fans, coaches and more.
But at the end of the day, it helped propel some of the greatest teams and players the sport has ever seen. And in turn, helped grow the game.
Boomer Sooner, Marita Hynes. You will be missed.
Thank you https://t.co/ioT0o72Ofj— Jackie Winz (@jackiewinz) May 25, 2023
An emotional weekend for all
As a fan I know saying goodbye to this stadium this weekend will be emotional… but former players messages on here… whole new level. This is what OU Softball is about. Softball is just the game that brought them together. This program turns girls into women the right way. https://t.co/pdWzuwQnOx
— Sasha Dawn (@Sasha_Dawn) May 25, 2023
More than a game, a sisterhood
Core memories and a strong sisterhood established on this field! Marita Hynes Field – Thank you for holding us up!❤️ https://t.co/CTFmv6iFpM
— Lauren Chamberlain (@LChamberlain44) May 25, 2023
All the emotions
I’m a wreck. I love this place so much ♥️ HOME! https://t.co/lpITItZc9T
— Sydney Joy Romero OLY (@syd_syd2) May 25, 2023
A lifetime of moments
So many memories. Marita Hynes is home ❤️ https://t.co/rLtri5GheJ pic.twitter.com/4sEV5aIRep
— Giselle ‘G’ Juarez (@ggotgame45) May 26, 2023
What a story
This weekend will be a bittersweet farewell as @OU_Softball plays at Marita Hynes Field for the last time.
The moments and memories made there are endless. #RoadToWCWS pic.twitter.com/zJ6Ky5M8SN
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 26, 2023
A fantastic story about a legendary site
“So whether it looks beautiful or not, or whether it has enough seats or not, it’s still where this program was born. My memories will always live here. This is home. It’ll always be home.”#Sooners look to send Marita Hynes Field out with a bang.https://t.co/I7Iyh4QBWD
— Bob Przybylo (@BPrzybylo) May 26, 2023
Palpable energy
Covered a lot of games here at Marita Hynes Field.
Can already feel some extra juice from the fans here in the first.
The team asked for it, and both the #Sooners and Clemson fans have delivered
— Ryan Chapman (@_RyanChapman) May 26, 2023
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