Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark
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THIS IS SUN DEVIL BASEBALL Where Tomorrow’s Legends Play Today WINKLES FIELD-PACKARD STADIUM AT BROCK BALLPARK inkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Year honors. In addition, a 2003 coaches WBallpark was the home of Arizona survey published in Baseball America State baseball from 1974 through 2014. ranked ASU’s baseball facilities among the MONSTER HOME RUNS Known for its wonderful aesthetic features, Top 15 in the nation. the outfield wall was lined with palm trees, Over the years Packard received The following players are the only 25 in the and just beyond the right-field fence was numerous upgrades, including a practice history of Winkles Field-Packard Stadium the award-winning Karsten Golf Course. infield (1997) and indoor hitting facility at Brock Ballpark to hit a home run over In left field, sparkling Tempe Town Lake (1998). The practice infield was donated the “Green Monster” in centerfield. and the Tempe construction boom was by the Arizona Diamondbacks and offered Dennis Haines, Arizona, 1974 visible, and in the distance, the Superstition a full size infield that was used for various Kevin Romine, Arizona State, 1981 Mountains offered a picturesque backdrop. defensive, bunting and baserunning drills. But for every bit of beauty that enveloped The 6,000 square foot hitting facility was Barry Bonds, Arizona State, 1983 the facility, there was an equal dose provided by a private donation and included Louie Medina, Arizona State, 1984 of tradition. five batting cages and a separate area Romy Cucjen, Arizona State, 1984 The facility was the home of two national for speed and movement exercises. A Tony Mattia, Arizona State, 1987 championship teams and 18 NCAA regional Daktronics scoreboard was installed in left- Steve Willis, Arizona State, 1988 tournaments. Arizona State’s all-time record center field in 1999 and was equipped for Tim Griffin, Stanford, 1989 at Packard was 1,122-307-1*, for a winning graphics, animation and messages on its Anthony Manahan, Arizona State, 1990 percentage of .785. matrix board. Todd Steverson, Arizona State, 1990 In 2012, ASU went 23-6 at home and Just before the 2003 season, ASU Mike Kelly, Arizona State, 1990 swept four straight Pac-12 home series’ for installed a brand new playing surface the first time since 1988 and only the third featuring major league quality drainage Doug Newstrom, Arizona State, 1993 time in program history (the other came in and irrigation systems. The playing surface Antone Williamson, Arizona State 1993 1981). Since 2007, the Sun Devils have an consisted of tiff green grass in the infield Tim DeCinces, UCLA, 1996 astounding home record of 214-39*. and Bermuda grass in the outfield. The dirt Matt Meyer, Nebraska, 1996 Dimensions of Packard were 338 feet portion of the infield was crushed red brick, Dion Ruecker, Texas Tech, 1996 down the lines, 368 feet in the power alleys which can be found at many major league Mitch Jones, Arizona State, 1999 and 395 to straightaway center. The fence stadiums. The playing surface was annually Brooks Conrad, Arizona State, 2000 was 10 feet high. Located five feet beyond referred to as one of the nation’s best. Brett Wallace, Arizona State, 2007 the center-field wall was the “Green Monster,” A new players’ facility, opened in August Andrew Brown, Nebraska, 2007 a 30-foot-high batting eye. Only 25 players 2004, included a clubhouse and a state- ever hit a home run over the Monster. of-the-art sports medicine facility. The Jason Kipnis, Arizona State, 2008 With a capacity of more than 4,000, clubhouse also included a video room, Ike Davis, Arizona State, 2008 Packard had more than 3,000 permanent study area and meeting room. Carlos Ramirez, Arizona State, 2009 seats in the main grandstand. Field-level Packard’s existence was made possible Greg Rohan, Kent State, 2009 box seats were also available behind home through a gift to Arizona State University David Freitas, Hawai’i, 2010 plate. The remaining seats were located on from Guthrie and Peter Packard. Both were popular grass berms, which ran down the alumni of ASU, and the stadium was a tribute first-base and third-base lines. Berm seating to their late father, William Guthrie Packard, offered outstanding views of the game and a prominent member of the publishing provided fans with a different way to watch industry for many years. Mr. Packard served and enjoy the game. the Shephard Company for 51 years, rising The Packard Stadium press box, situated from sales representative to President and atop the grandstand directly behind home Chairman of the Board. He was also active plate, included booths for television and radio in various community and church affairs in coverage, as well as space for print media. Colorado and Arizona. In 1995, the Sports Turf Manager The playing surface was named Bobby Association awarded groundskeeper Brian Winkles Field during a ceremony in 2001. Johnson and Packard Stadium Field of the Winkles was the first-ever varsity head coach STADIUM LASTS at Arizona State as he led the Sun Devils to three national titles in his 13 seasons at Game: May 20, 2014 (ASU 4, ACU 2) the helm. STADIUM FIRSTS Dr. Jim Brock’s name was added to the Crowd: 3,466 facility prior to the 2006 season. Brock is ASU Pitcher: Seth Martinez Game: April 7, 1974 (USC 6, ASU 4) the school’s all-time leader in victories with Hit: ASU’s Dalton DiNatale in 8th inning Crowd: 4,637 1,099. He led the Sun Devils to two national RBI: ASU’s Trever Allen in 8th inning ASU Pitcher: Dale Hrovat titles and 13 appearances in the College (2-run double) Hit: Rich Dauer of USC in the 1st inning World Series. He was the head coach from 1972 until his death in 1994. Home Run: ASU’s Drew Stankiewicz ASU’s Clay Westlake Home Run: vs. Utah, May 18, 2014 vs. LaVerne, April 9, 1974 *- 32 home wins in 2007 later vacated. Pitch: ASU’s Ryan Burr (strike three).