From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics
The Carnegie Mellon University softball program, which will open intercollegiate play next spring, will call UPMC All American Park its home. The Tartans have secured rights to the facility, which is located in Trafford, Pennsylvania, for all of their softball needs.
"We knew we had a number of terrific options for facilities when we announced our softball program, but we couldn't be more excited to partner with Dan Ninemire and the UPMC All-American Park Complex," said Director of Athletics Josh Centor. "We believe we have secured what will become a premier Division III facility for our program, and know that our women will enjoy the opportunity to call it home."
UPMC All American Park is located 20 minutes east of Pittsburgh. The facility started construction in 2013 and has developed into a seven-field complex with additional fields being built. Field 4 will serve as the home of the Tartans. Renovations to the field will be underway to prepare for intercollegiate NCAA competition starting in the fall. The photo shown is a rendering of what will be added, as the removal of the infield grass will take place and a Natural Sand DuraEdge Infield Mix will be added. An installation of a scoreboard will occur this summer, as will the addition of Carnegie Mellon-branded windscreens and signage, as well as backstop padding and a tarp.
"Our staff at UPMC All American Park is truly excited to welcome Monica Harrison and the Carnegie Mellon University Softball Program," said All American Baseball Center CEO Dan Ninemire. "We are genuinely looking forward to providing a quality experience for the student athletes and coaching staff. We look forward to building and maintaining one of the top DIII softball facilities in the Region."
The Tartans first regular season contest is set for the week of March 11, 2019 in Florida with their first home contest at UPMC All American Park Complex scheduled for March 26 against Penn State Behrend. Carnegie Mellon will open University Athletic Association (UAA) play March 29 in Atlanta, Georgia, against Emory University and will play its first home UAA contest on April 10 versus Washington University in St. Louis.
"As each day grows closer, I am more excited about the start of our inaugural season of softball here at Carnegie Mellon," said head coach Monica Harrison. "The commitment of resources to the start of the new softball program at Carnegie Mellon along with this newly announced partnership with UPMC All-American Complex stands as testament to the commitment of Carnegie Mellon to giving female athletes the opportunity to continue excelling academically and athletically. This new facility will help propel the program on the national stage at the DIII level. Softball is a growing sport in participation and viewership and I'm so happy to have Carnegie Mellon as a part of the growth of the sport."
Nationally, more than 365,000 girls participated in softball in 2015-16 and fast pitch softball has become the fifth-highest participation sport for girls, trailing only basketball, track and field, volleyball and soccer.