AUSTIN, Texas– The home of The University of Texas Softball team is in the process of undergoing several upgrades that will put Red and Charline McCombs Field among the best facilities in the country. Texas added seatbacks to every seat in the stadium following last season and will have a new LCD scoreboard in place for the 2009 season. Additionally the Longhorns are in the planning stages of adding a covered softball training area to McCombs Field.

“The upgrades at McCombs Field will keep us on par with the premier facilities in the country,” head coach Connie Clark said. “The seating will be more comfortable for the fans and the new scoreboard will be a boost to our game day atmosphere.”

Texas will replace its current scoreboard with a Daktronics LCD video display scoreboard that will have full video capabilities. The new scoreboard will be the same size as the existing scoreboard at McCombs Field, but it will offer features such as video and instant replay.

“Our previous scoreboard was out of date and we are excited about replacing it with a state of the art video board that will really add to the fan experience at McCombs Field,” Associate Athletics Director for Sport Programs Lynn Wheeler said. “McCombs Field was one of the very top softball facilities in the country when we opened its doors in 1998. All of these changes to the facility will enable us to remain one of the top programs in the country.”

UT is also in the process of planning a covered softball training facility that will be situated in the empty lot in the northwest corner of the stadium. The facility will be accessible through the Longhorns’ current bullpen and will feature three indoor batting cages and space for drill stations. Texas’ proposed training facility will allow the Longhorns to practice indoors during inclement weather and will have multi-purpose functionality.

“The planning of the training facility for the student-athletes is significant for player development and is the most exciting piece of the project,” Clark noted. “The hitting area will likely feature batting cages, hitting stations, video capabilities and auto-feed machines. We are blessed to have the support at Texas to produce a facility like McCombs Field. It has amazing amenities which allow us to attract and train the top athletes in the country.”