Page 6 - 2013 Baseball Media Guide

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6
2013 SALUKI BASEBALL
SIUSALUKIS.COM
A
s Saluki baseball players will
attest, there’s no place like Abe
Martin Field on game day.
Named on April 30, 1972 in honor
of Glenn“Abe”Martin, the facility has
served as home for the Salukis since
1964. Martin retired in 1971 after 33
years of service, including 19 as SIU’s
head baseball coach.
One of the reasons for the Salukis’
success has been the support of the
home fans.Though official attendance
figures have not been kept, crowds
as large as 4,000 have swarmed in
and around Abe Martin Field. The
overflow of crowds settle behind the
first base dugout on what is referred
to as “The Hill.”
Located south of the SIU Arena,
the ballpark features a natural Ber-
muda grass field, a brick backstop,
a crushed-brick warning track and
an electric scoreboard. The field is
completely surrounded by wooden
fences, including an eight-foot high
maroon outfield wall.
The symmetrical dimensions of
Abe Mar t in Field measure 340
feet down the foul lines, 370 feet
in the power alleys and 390 feet to
straightaway centerfield.
Prior to the 2012 season, the
clubhouse, located down the third
basel ine received a renovat ion.
Included in the improvements were
34 new wooden lockers along with
34 padded seats. The spacious new
lockers provide a clean, modern
design, and each individual locker
features a power outlet.
Players can relax in the clubhouse
lounge, featuring leather couches and
a flat screen TV. The clubhouse also
houses the Saluki coaches’ offices and
an athletic training room.
A l s o l o c a t e d o n t h e A b e
Martin Field grounds is a four-tunnel,
outdoor, carpeted batting unit. SIU’s
hitting complex is located adjacent to
the field and was recently equipped
with two state-of-the-art pitching
machines.
Abe Martin Field Facts
Capacity....................................... 2,000
Surface............ Rye and Burmuda Grass
Dimensions..... LF-340, CF-390, RF-340
Opened.......................................... 1964
PLAYER LOUNGE
NEW LOCKERS
THE HILL
ABE MARTIN FIELD