The University of Louisville softball program is proud to call Ulmer Stadium home. The Cardinals’ softball team began playing on the field in 2000, shortly after construction was completed. It serves as the team’s home field for practices and games.
The state-of-the-art facility recently underwent renovations which included resurfacing the field, LED stadium lights and seating and videoboard upgrades as UofL continues its commitment to providing an enjoyable college softball atmosphere.
The facility has served as the host site for multiple championships throughout the years, most recently the 2021 ACC Softball Championships. Prior to that Ulmer Stadium was the host site for BIG EAST Softball Championships from 2008-11 as well as the 2001 and 2004 Conference USA Softball Championships. Additionally, UofL hosted the NCAA Softball Regionals in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
UofL partnered with ANC Sports for the installation of a new LED video board which was unveiled in 2015. The all-digital surface will include a new high-definition board which measures 28-feet wide and 17-feet tall, more than triple the size of the current video space. The video board also supports in-game replays, statistical information, graphics and animation features.
ANC Sports Enterprises, the industry leader in team and venue services, has also done work with Fenway Park, Dodger Stadium and Safeco Field along with many other MLB and professional sports stadiums. They recently completed installation of the video boards at Jim Patterson Stadium, home of UofL baseball, Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium, the home facility for the Louisville men’s and women’s soccer programs.
The brand new video board came on the heels of a $3.5 million expansion project which was completed in 2014. The expansion featured an upper deck terrace with elevator access and additional seating to accommodate up to 1,000 people within the stadium, increasing the facility’s capacity to approximately 2,500. The remodeling extended to the plaza which serves as a welcome area for fans at the main entrance.
The upgrade also included a new team locker room and clubhouse with team meeting rooms and offices located on the south side of the stadium. Restrooms were also added to the home and visitor dugouts. A two-foot wall extending across the backstop completed the field area improvements.
A newly-constructed press box was also part of the expansion and features separate booths for home and visiting radio and television as well as an area for media and game operations. The roof of the press box provides a camera deck for televised games as well as still photography.
Ulmer Stadium is part of the university’s Cardinal Park. The 21-year-old stadium features field lighting, home and visiting bullpens and a climate-controlled press box and a video board. The state-of-the-art built-in dugouts include oak benches, as well as helmet and bat compartments.
In the summer of 2007, the infield was resurfaced with Hilltopper Infield Mix, a state-of-the-art surface that is designed to withstand inclement weather such as wind, rain and snow with minimal wear and tear and maintenance. The upgrading continued in the fall of 2009 when the outfield was re-sodded with bluegrass.
In 2006, Ulmer Stadium underwent several renovations including: refurbishing and adding heaters in both dugouts, upgrading the outdoor batting cages and bullpen areas. Ulmer Stadium also houses the Koetter Center, an indoor hitting and pitching facility.
In addition to university functions, the field is also used to serve the local community as a site for high school softball games and tournaments as well as team camps.
On April 17, 2019, the University of Louisville named its field Don Dobina Field at Ulmer Stadium to honor the legacy of local softball coach, donor and UofL alum Don Dobina. The ceremony took place just prior to the game against Kentucky on April 17. Dobina, who passed away in 2016, was an avid supporter of the University of Louisville softball program and an advocate of the sport throughout the commonwealth of Kentucky for nearly 30 years.
The grounds maintenance supervisor, Rodney New and his crew dedicate a great deal of time and energy to the maintenance and upkeep of the field. Their tireless efforts have played a significant role in making Ulmer Stadium one of the most outstanding facilities in the nation. In fact, Ulmer Stadium earned 2001 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Turface Award Midwest Regional honors.
Ulmer Stadium Details
Stadium seating capacity: 1,000 including chairback seats within the stadium
Outfield berm: Accomodates up to 1,500 fans
Surface: Hilltopper Infield Mix
Dimensions: LF-200', CF-220', RF-200’
Outfield fence: 10’
Amenities: LED Videoboard, LED lighting
Koetter Center: indoor batting and pitching cages
Press box: Media seating, operations room, television and radio booths
Locker Room/Club House: Located in building next to the field
