Baseball Runs With Renewal

February 22, 2008

Carol Schlueter
cjs@tulane.edu

It's an unmistakable symbol of renewal, a towering brick and steel structure marking the perimeter of the Tulane uptown campus. Today (Feb. 22), Greer Field at Turchin Stadium starts a new chapter in Green Wave baseball history.

"I can't think of any more visible symbol of the resurgence of Tulane and New Orleans," athletics director Rick Dickson said of the new centerpiece for Tulane athletics.

The 5:30 p.m. dedication ceremony — followed by the 7 p.m. first pitch for the Tulane season opener against the University of Illinois–Chicago — will bring celebratory remarks from the four men who made the project possible: Scott Cowen, Tulane president; Dickson; Rick Jones, head baseball coach; and Phil Greer, chair of the Board of Tulane whose philanthropy was key in the project's completion.

Paving-stone tributes paid for by Green Wave fans from across the nation form a pathway into the stadium, a fitting tribute to Tulane's 115-year-old baseball program.

Fans will enjoy a weekend of festivities starting tonight when the Wave opens with a three-game weekend series. Tonight's special events include fireworks after the dedication ceremony and the national anthem by singer Irma Thomas.

A block party outside the stadium starts at noon on Saturday with music by Bonerama, food and drinks, and a game time of 2 p.m. The game at noon on Sunday will be kids' day, with the national anthem played by Cajun fiddler Amanda Shaw.

Right off the bat this season, Jones and his coaching staff know the Greenies will be tested. This year's team includes 17 lettermen (six of whom were starters last year), three Division I transfers, five junior college graduates and seven true freshmen.

"We are going to be challenged so much, early on," Jones said. "Eleven of the teams in our first 13 games were in the NCAA Tournament last year."

It's hard not to look ahead to a major showdown with the University of California–Irvine, a national powerhouse team that will be at Greer Field March 7 through 9. And then, of course, there's the much-anticipated home game against rival Louisiana State University on April 22.

Jones is upbeat but cautious in his outlook for the season. At a recent fan gathering, the 14-year Tulane head coach said his motto for the season is, "Let's just see if we can."

While the Wave has the look of a new team for 2008, Jones said the players are experienced. He predicts, "We run better — and this ballpark rewards you. We'll have more offense. We're showing a lot of pop."

He added, "One of our biggest strengths is where we are, being home. I can't stress that enough."