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L. DALE MITCHELL PARK QUICK FACTS Year Opened: 1982 Seating Capacity: 3,000 Dimensions: LF - 335; CF - 411; RF - 335 First Game: Feb. 27, 1982 (Oklahoma 15, Cameron University 4) Largest Crowd: 4,544, vs. Texas (May 4, 1995) Overall Record: 684-175-1 (.796)
BACKGROUND Named for the mid-1940s Sooner letterman who still holds OU’s career and single-season batting records, L. Dale Mitchell Park was dedicated prior to the 1982 season. With a $1.3 million price tag, the first phase of the renovation was completed during the 1998 season and included an upper concourse, additional restrooms and additional concession stands. Phase two of the plan has provided for new locker rooms, a training room facility and an equipment room for the Sooners. Prior to the 2002 season, OU completed one of the final stages of the project as the press box facility underwent state-of-the-art improvements. The press box and radio broadcast booths were significantly expanded as well. VIP suites and a disability-accessible elevator were also added.
RECENT ADDITIONS OU added a practice facility prior to the 2009 season which includes a regulationsize infield with natural grass and a 5,160 square-foot indoor hitting facility. The building contains three full-size pitching and hitting lanes and is heated and air conditioned. The $1 million project covers 22,500 square feet of existing ground at L. Dale Mitchell Park and is located down the left-field line adjacent to the Sooners’ bullpen. The ballpark also received a new video and scoreboard in left field prior to the 2009 season and new chair back seats were added for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Also new in 2012 is new warning track material and field turf in foul territory around the infield.
RECORD CROWD An L. Dale Mitchell Park-record 4,544 fans jammed the stadium on May 4, 1995, to witness the Sooners record a 3-2 win over rival Texas en route to OU’s second consecutive NCAA College World Series appearance.
POSTSEASON HISTORY In 2006, the facility hosted its first NCAA Regional. It marked the third time in the history of the OU baseball program that it has been chosen to host an NCAA Regional in Norman (1975 and 1977), but first at L. Dale Mitchell Park, which opened in 1982. In 2009, the Sooners again were awarded home-field advantage in the postseason at LDM. Additionally, the Sooners have hosted a regional in Oklahoma City on three occasions and last hosted one in 2004 at the Bricktown Ballpark.
2001 BEAM CLAY FIELD OF THE YEAR The University of Oklahoma baseball program was awarded the top honor in the collegiate division of the Beam Clay Baseball Diamond of the Year Award in 2001. The award, sponsored by Beam Clay and Baseball America, recognizes the best playing surfaces in three levels of baseball: professional, college and schools, municipalities and parks. The honor marked the second year in a row that OU’s L. Dale Mitchell Park was selected as one of the best college baseball fields in the nation after finishing second in the competition in 2000. Oklahoma took first place honors in the competition in 1994 for the first time. The 2006 season was OU’s latest entry as programs can enter the competition only once every five years after taking first place honors. Four major league head groundskeepers served as the judges in the competition.
DIRECTIONS TO THE FACILITY: OU’s facility is located east of the intersection of Chautauqua Ave. and Imhoff Rd. in Norman. From Interstate 35, exit east on Lindsey St. and proceed approximately one and a half miles. Take a right (south) onto Chautauqua Ave. and continue for about half a mile then turn left (east) onto Imhoff. The facility is located on the left, directly north of the Lloyd Noble Center.
The Sooners are one of a handful of collegiate programs to have an indoor hitting facility and additional outdoor practice field on site.
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