Allen Field
John "Sonny" Allen Field is a baseball venue in Morehead, Kentucky, United States. It is home to the Morehead State Eagles baseball team of the NCAA Division I Ohio Valley Conference. It is named for former Morehead State baseball coach John "Sonny" Allen. Opened in 1973, the venue has a capacity of 1,200 spectators.
 Interactive map of Allen Field | |
Full name | John "Sonny" Allen Field |
|---|---|
| Location | Stadium Drive, Morehead, Kentucky, USA |
| Coordinates | 38°11′34″N 83°25′34″W / 38.1928°N 83.426134°W |
| Owner | Morehead State University |
| Operator | Morehead State University |
| Capacity | 1,200 |
| Surface | Natural grass |
| Scoreboard | Electronic |
Field size | Left Field: 330 ft (100 m) Left-Center Field: 378 ft (115 m) Center Field: 398 ft (121 m) Right-Center Field: 335 ft (102 m) Right Field: 345 ft (105 m) |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1973 |
| Renovated | 1998, 2004, 2005 |
| Tenants | |
| Morehead State Eagles baseball (NCAA DI OVC) (1973–present) | |
John "Sonny" Allen Field is a baseball venue in Morehead, Kentucky, United States. It is home to the Morehead State Eagles baseball team of the NCAA Division I Ohio Valley Conference. It is named for former Morehead State baseball coach John "Sonny" Allen. Opened in 1973, the venue has a capacity of 1,200 spectators.[1]
Naming
[edit]The venue is named for John "Sonny" Allen, who coached the Morehead State baseball program in 1954–1959, 1966, and 1969–1975, a total of 14 seasons.[2] Allen's career record was 226–137, and the program won conference championships in 1956, 1969, and 1973 under him. Allen also played basketball and served as the university's assistant athletic director.[1]
Features
[edit]Allen Field has an irregular layout, with the right field fence standing far closer to home plate than does the left field fence.[3] As a result, the right field fence has been built much taller than the left field fence in an attempt to balance the irregular dimensions.[1][4]
The field lies next to Phil Simms Stadium, the university's football venue.[5]
Renovations
[edit]In 1998, stadium lighting was installed, thanks to a donation from baseball alumnus Willie Blair, who pitched in Major League Baseball.[6] In 2004, the seating areas, locker rooms, and coaches' offices were improved. In 2005, the playing surface was renovated.[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "John "Sonny" Allen Field". MSUEagles.com. Archived from the original on 2010-11-30. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- ^ "2012 Morehead State Eagles Baseball Media Guide". Morehead State University Sports Information Department. Archived from the original on 2013-02-12. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- ^ "Morehead State University Campus Map". MoreheadState.edu. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- ^ "Picture of Sonny Allen Field". Images.Google.com. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- ^ "Morehead State Ready for Annual Spring Football Game". WKYT.com. WYMT TV. 26 April 2012. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- ^ "Willie Blair". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-02. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- ^ "Morehead State University's Named Places, Spaces, and Units". MoreheadState.edu. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
