J. O. Christian Field
J. O. Christian Field was a baseball stadium in Storrs, Connecticut, United States. It was the home field of the Connecticut Huskies baseball team of the NCAA Division I's American Athletic Conference (The American) from 1968 through 2019. The stadium held seating for 2,000 people. It was named after former UConn baseball coach and athletic director, J. Orlean Christian.[1] UConn played their last game at J.O. Christian field on May 11, 2019, with demolition the following month.[2]
 The infield at J.O. Christian field prior to a doubleheader between UConn and Rutgers on April 20, 2012. | |
| Location | Jim Calhoun Way east of Separatist Road, Storrs, Connecticut, USA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41.8003672°N 72.2567368°W |
| Owner | University of Connecticut |
| Operator | University of Connecticut |
| Capacity | 2,000 |
| Field size | Left field: 340 feet (100 m) Left center: 370 feet (110 m) Center field: 405 feet (123 m) Right center: 370 feet (110 m) Right field: 340 feet (100 m)[1] |
| Surface | Natural grass, Beam clay |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1968 |
| Expanded | 1993[1] |
| Closed | May 11, 2019 |
| Demolished | June 2019 |
| Tenants | |
| UConn (NCAA, Big East) 1968–2019 | |
In the offseason following the 2011 season, the university announced fundraising efforts for a new baseball stadium.[3] The new stadium was built across the street from the existing J. O. Christian Field, behind the site of the new Morrone Stadium, with room for 1,500. Construction is expected to begin on the athletic complex in mid-2018. The new facility will include artificial turf to facilitate play early in the season, an indoor training facility, lights, and a scoreboard.[4][5][6][7][8]
When construction on the full athletics complex (baseball, softball, soccer, and performance center) are complete, a turf field will be built on the site for use by the soccer and lacrosse teams as well as intramural sports. It will retain the name J. O. Christian Field.[9]
References
- "J.O. Christian Field (Stadium Road, Storrs campus)". uconnhuskies.com. UConn Huskies. Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2009.
- Jacobs, Jeff (May 11, 2019). "Jeff Jacobs: Though Penders doesn't break record, J.O. Christian will still be remembered as a field of dreams". New Haven Register. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
- Poulson, Ginger (January 31, 2012). "UConn Announces Plans for New Stadium". College Baseball Daily. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
- Tolokan, Tim (March 12, 2018). "Time to Bring UConn Baseball Into a New Home". uconnhuskies.com. UConn Huskies. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
- Madigan, Dan (February 3, 2017). "UConn releases info on possible new athletic facilities". The Daily Campus. Storrs, Connecticut. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
- Kidwai, Aman (November 2, 2017). "UConn Getting New Soccer, Baseball, and Softball Stadiums". The UConn Blog. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
- Megan, Kathleen (March 2, 2017). "UConn Trustees Approve $4.75 Million Design for 3 New Stadiums". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
- Megan, Kathleen (February 10, 2017). "With Feasibility Study And Ticket Surcharge, UConn Moving Forward On Plans For New Stadiums". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
- Connolly, Daniel (April 25, 2019). "Naming UConn Baseball's New Stadium "Elliot Ballpark" Fits, But Save Space for Jim Penders' Name". The UConn Blog. Retrieved January 20, 2020.