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Building Description

Site work began on the new field in spring 2006. Walls were completed in fall 2007, with batting cages installed and dugouts constructed in spring 2008. 

Construction of permanent seating to accommodate nearly 600 fans and a new press box were completed prior to the 2012 home opener. The project was made possible through a gift from former Jackrabbits baseball player Dave Lane, with additional support from other baseball alumni and friends of the program.

More improvements have been completed with the addition of the Abdnor Archway as the field’s main entrance, as well as the installation of a new outfield fence and revamped batter’s eye in center field. Installation of the new fence has resulted in dimensions being reduced to 330 feet down the left field line, 325 feet to the right field foul pole, 370 feet to the power alleys and 395 to straightaway center field.

³ÉÈËÊÓƵ’s previous on-campus facility, which also bore the name of Erv Huether Baseball Field starting in 1974, was the home of Jackrabbits baseball from 1958-2001. As part of the campus master plan, the original Erv Huether Baseball Field was razed following the 2001 season. Home games were played from 2002-2007 at Bob Shelden Field.

Erv Huether served as head coach of the Jackrabbits baseball program from 1950-1983. In 34 seasons, he amassed an overall record of 352-376-2 and led ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ to six North Central Conference titles and a berth in the 1973 NCAA Division II postseason. Huether, who passed away Feb. 1, 2012, at the age of 93, was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1984.

Huether also served as an assistant football coach at ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ for 22 years.

Twice Huether was named District Coach of the Year, in 1966 and 1969, and in 1975 he earned South Dakota College Coach of the Year honors. He coached four All-Americans and three other players who were drafted.