Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field
Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field is a baseball venue in Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States.[1][2] It is home to the Nicholls Colonels baseball team of the NCAA Division I Southland Conference.[3][4] Opened in 1960, the venue has a capacity of 2,100 spectators.[5][6] The grandstand features chairback seating and a pressbox. The field is named after Raymond E. Didier, head baseball coach from 1964 to 1973 and athletic director from 1963 to 1978.[7][8] The diamond is named in honor of Ben Meyer.
Location | Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States |
---|---|
Coordinates | 29°47′10″N 90°48′08″W |
Owner | Nicholls State University |
Operator | Nicholls Athletics Department |
Capacity | 2,100 |
Field size | 331 ft. (LF), 400 ft. (CF), 331 ft. (RF) |
Surface | Geo-Surfaces artificial turf (infield), Natural grass (outfield) |
Scoreboard | Electronic |
Construction | |
Opened | 1960 |
Renovated | 2016 |
Tenants | |
Nicholls Colonels baseball (NCAA) |
History
The first game was played in 1960. A covered batting cage was built directly adjacent to the stadium along the third base side of the ballpark.
In 2016, the stadium went through a major renovation.[9] A new press box with two radio booths was built at the stadium along with the installation of a new elevator. In addition to the new press box, a press room, visiting media room and new concession stand were built on the ground level. Two new luxury suites were built at the stadium and new stadium lighting was also installed. The second phase of the renovation involved construction of a new field house with a rooftop hospitality area, new locker rooms, coaches offices and public restrooms. The project also includes an elevator and unified dugout-to-dugout bleachers with 400 chair back seats.[9]
On May 7, 2017, the diamond was renamed in honor of the late Ben Meyer. The infield was also resurfaced with Geo-Surfaces artificial turf.[9]
The future third phase of the renovation will include a new wrought iron gated entryway, a new plaza area and a new video board.[9]
Gallery
- Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field Grandstand
- Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field Grandstand-street view
- Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field Dugout
- Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field Infield and Batting Cages
- Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field Scoreboard
References
- "Nicholls State University Baseball". geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
- "Nicholls State releases Schedule". collegebaseballdaily.com. Retrieved 2015-09-07.
- "Southland's top two pitching staffs battle at Ray E. Didier Field". sportsnola.com. Retrieved 2015-09-07.
- "Morales amazes at Didier". The Daily Comet. Retrieved 2015-09-07.
- "2019 Nicholls Baseball Quick Facts" (PDF). geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- "Nicholls Colonels Baseball" (PDF). geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
- "Didier shaped Nicholls athletics, many lives". HoumaToday.com. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
- "Longtime college coach Raymond Didier joins his brother Mel in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame". theadvocate.com. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
- "Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field". geauxcolonels.com. Retrieved 2019-06-15.