ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University's Walt Driggers Field will be the site for the 2011 NCAA Division III Baseball West Regional. The tournament, held May 19-22 becomes the second time in four seasons that the Abilene, Texas facility will play host.
Beginning in 2008, the NCAA began choosing pre-determined sites for the NCAA Division III regional tournaments and McMurry was selected for the first year. McMurry's baseball program responded by winning the American Southwest Conference championship to earn the automatic qualifier and the right to play in its own tournament.
McMurry head coach
John Byington said that hosting the regional will provide extra incentive once again to be in it come May.
“It is a great honor and privilege hosting the regional tournament,” Byington said. “Our facility will provide a great venue for the teams participating and we anticipate it being a great experience for all involved.”
The tournament in 2008 was also a big draw for the Abilene community and the Abilene Convention and Visitor's Bureau. McMurry athletic director Ron Holmes said that it is good exposure for the school and the surrounding area.
“If you're a baseball fan in Abilene, these kinds of tournament provide high quality play and entertainment,” Holmes said. “We're always proud to provide host to a tournament in one of the premiere baseball facilities in division III, and that's what Walt Driggers Field is.”
McMurry began playing games at Walt Driggers Field starting early in the 1997 season. The facility is located just east of McMurry's campus across the street from the Ryan Fine Arts Center. The field features a ground-level press box, a VIP lounge, two soundproof radio booths, indoor and outdoor batting cages, offices, training room and locker rooms for both staff and players. Future plans including adding a visitor's dressing room, umpires dressing room and a weight room. In 2007, the field will feature a new LED scoreboard to accompany an interactive message center implemented in 2005.
The field was designed and built by Anglea Turf Construction Company, which is headed by former Texas Rangers Field superintendent Jim Anglea.
