lorida International plays all its home games at the renovated University Park baseball stadium. The Golden Panthers will enjoy playing their third year at the stadium after spending the 2000 season in Homestead while renovations were being made to University Park to complete phase two of the three-phase process to upgrade the facility. Some $3.5 million from student trust funds was used to complete the first two stages and over $100,000 was raised by head coach Danny Price and his staff to erect one of the finest all-weather batting cages in the state.

On February 26, 2002, a sold-out crowd of 2,473, the largest home crowd ever in the program’s 29-year history, saw FIU defeat defending national champion Miami, 7-1.

The second phase included many features which make it one of the finest collegiate baseball stadiums in the state and Sun Belt Conference. Among its current features are: an additional 1,000 seats making the total capacity 2,000, player and coaches’ locker rooms, a training room, renovated home and visitor dugouts, additional concession stands and laundry facilities.

The thought of a complete baseball stadium has been an idea that Price has envisioned for over 10 years and the near completion has added an additional sense of excitement for the baseball program. “This is something that has been in the works for quite awhile and we are glad to see the outcome,” said Price. “We believe that we have one of the finest collegiate baseball stadiums around. With the completion of the batting cages, we have put ourselves in a situation to boast about our stadium. Its completion is a reflection of how hard the team has worked and what has been accomplished.”

The new stadium was christened on January 26, 1996 with a 1-0 win over Bethune-Cookman. A standing-room crowd was on hand for fireworks and a first-ball ceremony that featured University President Dr. Modesto Madique and many other dignitaries.

The next stadium project will include a meeting room, offices for the coaching staff, and a renovated climate-controlled media area equipped for television and radio. Construction is expected to begin after the conclusion of this season.

The playing surface is natural grass and the symmetrical field has dimensions of 325 feet down the lines, 375 feet in the power alleys, and 400 feet to straightaway center field.