New season, new home for Chapman softball

ORANGE, Calif. - The Chapman University women's softball team will have a new address at El Camino Real Park beginning Saturday. The City of Orange will host a Grand Re-Opening ceremony on Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. introducing the newly-renovated facility, followed by the Panthers' season-opening doubleheader against Whittier College at noon.

Saturday will mark a new era for Chapman softball after using Hart Park as its home field since 1983. It was there that the Panthers hosted and won four NCAA Division III West Region championships in 1998-2000 and '04. Chapman also hosted the Sun West Tournament at Hart Park from 2001-08.

The City of Orange will unveil four fastpitch-only softball diamonds at the El Camino Real facility. In December, the Orange City Council approved a lease agreement with Chapman for primary use of the "premiere" diamond which includes permanent fencing, batting cages, bullpens and scoreboard.

Pregame festivities will include introductions of Orange's five council members and remarks from City of Orange Mayor Carolyn Cavecche, Chapman University President James Doti and president of the Central Orange Girls' Fastpitch League Mike Velasquez. Games and information booths will open at 9 a.m.

Chapman begins the 2010 season against Whittier coming off last season's record of 17-20. The Panthers and Poets split a doubleheader in Whittier in 2009.

by Doug Aiken & Nicole Inal
Sports Information Director & Sports Information Intern