The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors has approved a new hitting facility for the Hokies’ softball program. Construction is expected to begin in the fall.

The facility, which will be attached to Rector Field House and immediately adjacent to the Tech Softball Park, will provide the Hokies with an indoor infield for practice during inclement weather, along with four cages for hitting and pitching practice.

“The softball hitting facility will be a tremendous boost to our program,” Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock said. “The new structure will serve this program in a large number of ways, 365 days a year. This addition advances our goals of providing our student-athletes and programs with the finest facilities.”

The one-story building also will feature two coaches rooms, an equipment room, a team room, a film room, a mudroom, and team facilities. The facility will be available to the program year-round for practice, team events, and game-day necessities. The new facility will encompass more than 16,000 square feet.

“This new facility will have a tremendous positive effect on our program,” Scot Thomas, head coach of the Virginia Tech softball team, said. “The uses of this building are wide-ranging and will prove vital for practice and game day. This is a great testament to the unwavering support we have from our athletics administration and the university as a whole.”

The hitting facility is designed by Cannon Designs and will be built by Branch Associates of Salem, Virginia. This project is part of a larger plan that will vastly improve Rector Field House and all of the adjacent athletics facilities. Total cost is expected to be $18 million. The total project will add about 32,000 square feet to the field house.

Share this story