Construction Update #5

Jan. 30, 2006

It came down to the wire, but Mark Light Field was ready for opening day. The pictures in this construction update installment show “The Light” five days prior to UM’s season opener against Florida International.

The construction crew worked feverishly to alter seats and railings in the grandstand to accommodate spectators’ viewing of the game. The finishing touches were put on the home and visitor dugouts. Fresh coats of paint were applied to the grandstand, as well as the rest of the ballpark.

One of the most significant changes was the addition of the mesh backstop, which gives fans a virtually unobstructed view of the ball game from the ground up. Poles were erected behind the grandstand and parallel to the first- and third-base lines to serve as supports for the mesh wall that protects fans from the game.

Although the stadium’s capacity was temporarily cut in half due to construction, a sellout crowd of 2,500 showed up to watch Miami beat local rival FIU, 17-3, on Saturday, Jan. 28.