University of Texas Master Plan details upgrades to UFCU Disch-Falk Field

Last renovated in time for the 2008 season, UFCU Disch-Falk Field will receive further upgrades in the near future as part of the University of Texas Athletics Master Plan released on Thursday that will benefit Texas Longhorns baseball in addition to forecasting improvements for numerous other sports.

As with the planned upgrades to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium that will focus on improving fan experience and providing better facilities for athletes, the changes to the baseball stadium work along similar lines.

For the players, an on-site player development facility will feature an air-conditioned training space with four mounds, six batting cages, and storage, in addition to serving baseball operations. An off-site player development facility will require the purchase of additional land and provide an indoor practice area with full baseball and softball infield and club areas for pre-game meals. The development would provide the added benefit of centralizing athletic training with sports medicine and strength and conditioning.

For fans, the changes to the Disch are much more important to the experience of cheering for Longhorns baseball. A year after field-level dugouts suites debuted along the base lines, the school revealed plans to build family-friendly kid zones behind the plaza on the third-base side.

Improvements would create temporary seating for big games, convert the grass area in left field to allow more concessions and sponsors, add branding, signage, statistics, and memorabilia to the concourse, a ribbon board on the top of the outfield wall, and a new, interactive video board.

In addition to the temporary seating, other renovations include a party deck or concessions or restrooms near the left field foul pole, an area outside the stadium that has been popular for fans to congregate in past years, especially before wine and beer sales began two years ago. And, as usual, there will be an increase in premium seating in the outfield, a club environment, hospitality suite, and covered bullpen seating.

The field will also receive new synthetic turf.