First Game of the Season -- Concordia University

On February 7, 2012, it was a balmy (not) 46 degrees or so for Concordia University's first game of the season, and the first game at their new athletic facility.  In the first game of a doubleheader, the Cavs beat the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes 5-2.  Oh, did I say it was cold?

A bundled-up fan outside Concordia's new athletic complex

But the new facility was very nice.  Some nice chair seats behind home and bench seats past first and third.

A look at some of the new seats in Concordia's baseball configuration.

The field is also used for soccer and until they put up a temporary outfield fence, the distances to right and especially center are immense.  Even a jacked up Barry Bonds couldn't hit one out to center.

It's a long way out to center

The only downside I saw to the new facility is the artificial turf, which extends even to the baselines, the batters box, and the sliding boxes.  The only dirt is on the pitchers mound.  It was amusing to watch a batter step into the box and start to brush the dirt around with his foot, only to realize that there was nothing there to brush except the carpet. Hmm, the little habits we all have.

All in all though, the Concordia facility is a welcome addition to the Portland baseball scene.  And even though it was cold as heck, it was great to be back at the old ballpark.