Becoming McLane Stadium

Michigan State's baseball field, known as John F. Kobs Field, is in a great location, along the Red Cedar River, but it has been in need of some updating for a long time.

In June of last year, Drayton McLane, a 1959 graduate, successful business man, and current owner of the Houston Astros baseball team, gave $4.5 million to bring the field up to date. He had only two conditions: that the new stadium would be ready for this season, and that it would be something he would be proud of. It looks like both are being met, with the first game scheduled for April 3rd in the Big Ten opener vs. Northwestern, and the stadium looking truly impressive.

We took a look this weekend, and here is what we saw.

Looking at the stadium from across the river.

It just looks incredible right now, too. I can't wait to see how it looks when it's finished," said senior pitcher Nolan Moody of East Lansing. "It's such an improvement over what we had. The facilities have gotten so much better every year."

When complete, McLane Stadium will feature 400 chair-backed seats, the number needed to host an NCAA regional, along with 2,100 bleacher seats.

MSU is hoping that the Old College Field project - coupled next to Kobs Field alongside the indoor hitting and pitching facility - will give the Spartans an edge in recruiting."

"Things are moving quick," new MSU coach Jake Boss said. "This is a top-of-the-line facility"

I plan to spend many hours here, and this is where I plan to introduce the fun of baseball to my grandson.