OU softball announces increased fan capacity for Sooners' new stadium, Love's Field
Love's Field, the soon-to-be new home for the OU softball program, will be ready to squeeze in a few more fans than expected.
About 1,200 more to be exact.
The OU athletic department announced Friday that it has increased its original capacity projection of 3,000 fans to 4,200 fans for when the new stadium opens in time for the 2024 season.
"Since the start, we've approached the design of Love's Field with our fans in mind," OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said in a release. "Because we know the demand for OU Softball is sky high, we took great care to increase the capacity wherever we could while maintaining the overall fan experience.
"We're thrilled with the results, as we've shattered our original expected capacity of about 3,000, now with 3,543 in fixed seating and an additional 657 in standing room. At every home game, we'll now have the opportunity for more than 4,000 Sooner fans to cheer our team to victory in the biggest and best collegiate softball stadium in the country."
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The Sooners' longtime home, Marita Hynes Field, had a capacity of 1,600 fans with the addition of temporary seating.
OU is coming off a third consecutive Women's College World Series championship and will be widely projected to win a fourth straight title in 2024.
"When we were standing above the outfield looking toward home plate, we were in awe," OU coach Patty Gasso said in a release. "It was hard to comprehend the beauty and scope of what we were looking at, considering where we played when I started coaching here. I stood there and reflected on all my years at OU and all the athletes who laid the foundation for this program.
"I'm reminded of where we started this journey whenever I drive by Reaves Park. Then we stepped across the street to Marita Hynes Field. And now we're on the cusp of having Love's Field — the premier college softball facility in the country — as our home. I'm so grateful for everyone who helped us get to this point, and am incredibly excited for what's still to come."
OU's seat-selection process will resume in November for Groups 2 and 3.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU softball announces increased fan capacity for Love's Field
