Bakersfield College softball will play at home
Natalie Rodriguez
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Sports
The 2010 Bakersfield College softball team is more than ready to start the new season, especially now that BC has a new field to call its own.
"We are very excited for the new field," said coach Sandi Taylor. "We played off campus last year, and it was a nightmare so we are excited beyond belief. I'm also anxious to see how our players respond to the newness of the season because these players have never played at BC at our home field, under our lights, with our crowd, with the environment before and it's a great collegiate environment."
Sophomore left fielder Jessica Newton-Smith said, "The best part about the new field is not having to take everything and set it up, so it's a lot easier and I think it will help bring our team together and our attitudes will be better before and after games."
When asked if the new field would help the team step up their game, Taylor said, "Yes, I think so because last year we played in a facility that was not adequate to a collegiate team, and just the whole demeanor we will have daily and the pride you feel in your home facility, and having your home field makes a huge difference in how you play."
The new softball field, named Dean and Adah Gay Sports Complex, was made possible by a $250,000 donation from the Gay family. Dean and Adah Gay are related to BC through their granddaughter Trish Gay, who works at BC as a softball assistant coach.
"It's a great opportunity to have a field like this," Trish Gay said. "My grandparents were huge community people always giving back so hopefully they appreciate this. It's just a fantastic opportunity to have."
"It's a special feeling for us and for her and her family to be involved," said Taylor.
Mayor Harvey Hall will be at the opening game for the ribbon-cutting along with BC's first-ever pitcher and catchers Mary Valenti and Michelle Saroiberry, who will throw out the first pitch in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of BC softball. The opponent for the night is Fresno City College. Fresno was in the playoffs last year and is extremely talented.
"We are very excited for the new field," said coach Sandi Taylor. "We played off campus last year, and it was a nightmare so we are excited beyond belief. I'm also anxious to see how our players respond to the newness of the season because these players have never played at BC at our home field, under our lights, with our crowd, with the environment before and it's a great collegiate environment."
Sophomore left fielder Jessica Newton-Smith said, "The best part about the new field is not having to take everything and set it up, so it's a lot easier and I think it will help bring our team together and our attitudes will be better before and after games."
When asked if the new field would help the team step up their game, Taylor said, "Yes, I think so because last year we played in a facility that was not adequate to a collegiate team, and just the whole demeanor we will have daily and the pride you feel in your home facility, and having your home field makes a huge difference in how you play."
The new softball field, named Dean and Adah Gay Sports Complex, was made possible by a $250,000 donation from the Gay family. Dean and Adah Gay are related to BC through their granddaughter Trish Gay, who works at BC as a softball assistant coach.
"It's a great opportunity to have a field like this," Trish Gay said. "My grandparents were huge community people always giving back so hopefully they appreciate this. It's just a fantastic opportunity to have."
"It's a special feeling for us and for her and her family to be involved," said Taylor.
Mayor Harvey Hall will be at the opening game for the ribbon-cutting along with BC's first-ever pitcher and catchers Mary Valenti and Michelle Saroiberry, who will throw out the first pitch in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of BC softball. The opponent for the night is Fresno City College. Fresno was in the playoffs last year and is extremely talented.
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