The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1493632
44 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY MATT CARTER pening day for the NC State baseball team brought a lit- tle bit of everything from a Mother Nature standpoint. Wolfpack fans woke up on Feb. 17 to rainy condi- tions in Raleigh, but by game time, the wet weather had moved out and was replaced by pleasantly mild temperatures. And the playing surface at Doak Field at Dail Park was just fine thanks to a new drainage system getting an early- season test. That was one of the modi- fications made to the park in Phase I of NC State's renovation project, which was completed just in time for the start of the season. Welcoming Wolfpack fans to the im- proved Doak is a new videoboard that has almost an overload of informa- tion. When NC State jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead after two innings, that prompted the Wagner bullpen to get into action. Previously, Wolfpack broadcaster Andrew Sanders was often helpless try- ing to figure out what pitchers might be warming up for the opposing team in the corner down the left field line. But with the bullpens now behind a see-through fence in the outfield, all Sanders had to do was pick up a pair of binoculars to know that Wagner's Ja- son Masick would be the first pitching change of the year. "The bullpen might be the best thing they did. The bullpens are incredible," longtime NC State head coach Elliott Avent said. Then came more rain, as a line of fast- moving heavy precipitation instantly began to cool the temps down while bringing windy conditions. The Wolf- pack players hustled out of the dugout to get the tarp over the infield before the start of the fourth inning. The good news is that sprint to the tarp located on the left field side wall is not quite as long as it used to be. The dugouts have been expanded to provide more space for coaches and players sit- ting in them. When the game resumed, umpire Kevin Sweeney did not have to worry about muddy footprints on home plate. The new artificial turf that extends from home plate, down the lines and throughout the foul territory keeps the batter's boxes and plate clean. Many fans may have chosen to skip the remainder of the contest after the rain, but the spectators who waited out the 39-minute delay were treated to the full effects of the LED light show. The ballgame ended at 6:10 p.m., by which time it was dark enough for the red lights to shine. Those who did stick around were able to do so from the comfort of the new Wolfpack red chairback seats that had been installed. In one day, all the amenities of Phase I were on display, and there is more to come when Phase II is expected to begin after this season. "Obviously, it's a gorgeous new field with all the improvements we've made," Avent said following his team's 14-1 vic- tory, the first game in what would turn out to be a three-game sweep of Wagner to start the 2023 campaign. Phase II will help complete the over- haul of Doak Field at Dail Park. The main attraction will be a facility for player enhancement, including a new weight room, batting facility and pitch- ing lab. That will be located down the right field line where the NC State bull- pen used to be. Some of the new fan amenities are expected to include premium and enter- tainment space down both the left and right field lines. PLAY BALL Phase I Of Renovations Has Been Finished At An Improved Doak Field At Dail Park O