Fall Ball Concludes with Exciting Facilities Update from Coach Hallmark

It is not a secret that UTSA has some much needed, much deserved, upgrades planned for the Roadrunner Baseball team. Initially shared following UTSA’s historic Super Regionals run, excitement has only grown since. 

While it is understandable that fans have skepticism towards deadlines being met, that appears to be the opposite with the baseball player development center and facility upgrades. In fact, the timeline has even progressed with administration recently sharing the groundbreaking will likely move up, as early as December. Dr. Campos also shared recently that a significant portion of the $20 million renovations for Baseball/Softball would go towards the player development center and subsequent facility upgrades. 

Well, we have some more good news…

The baseball team concluded their official fall ball practice this past Saturday. After two convincing wins against respectable JUCO teams (McLennan CC and Navarro CC), Saturday featured one final intrasquad scrimmage, an Alumni Home-Run derby, and 2027 introductions. 

Following the team introductions, Head Coach Pat Hallmark took a few minutes to share some updates with those in attendance. 

The overall message that upgrades are full speed ahead with timelines still on track. Along with that update he mentioned some specific upgrades fans should see for 2027…

Player Development Center

Workers were in and around the area Thursday and Friday marking different ground areas with paint. Dr. Campos has stated previously that they have been in talks on ways to begin/continue construction without drastically impacting the team or gamed operations.

Dugouts

The dugouts are going to be completely redone. The plan is to move them forward and dig them down into the ground. This will start immediately and they will be ready for spring. 

 Bullpens/Fence Lines

When we talk about the fence lines moved in, it is safe to assume that involves the foul territory lessening. In an already hitter friendly ballpark, you don’t really want to move your corners in anymore, in my opinion at least. 

Taking some of the foul territory away will allow the bullpens to be outside the field of play. 

I don’t see this completely erasing the foul territory, but UTSA would not be the first American Conference team to have a smaller area. Take Charlotte for example, the foul territory down the right field line is virtually non-existent due to their own development center. 

I also think there will still be an opportunity for fans on The Berm to respectfully heckle opposing pitchers warming up. 

Now, while Coach Hallmark did not comment on any immediate plans for bathrooms or the stands, we know from previous comments by Dr. Campos that glaring need is a high priority for improvements. 

Fan amenities are a key factor to not only the game-day experience but also hosting P4 teams and submitting bids for regional hosting. 

At the end of the day, it is another step in the right direction. From past projects where fans have largely been kept in the dark it is refreshing to hear the administration show more transparency and to hear from Coach Hallmark that plans are on track. 

While just one part of the larger plan, it appears that the Bird Bath we know and love will have a much-needed partial facelift come opening day! 

103 days! 

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