Davenport Field
Encyclopedia
Davenport Field is a baseball
stadium
in Charlottesville, Virginia
. It is the home field of the University of Virginia
Cavaliers college baseball
team. The stadium holds 5,074 fans and opened in 2002. It is named after former UVa executive director, Ted Davenport.
by the score of 10-3 in the first ever contest played at the brand new UVa Baseball Stadium. Virginia opened the door on its new multi-million dollar facility for the 2002 season.
Improvements to the stadium include: a canopied grandstand with 1,500 seats; an additional 500 seats and a grass hillside to provide more seating; six sky boxes for lease by fans and corporate sponsors; stadium lights; new dugouts for the home and visiting teams; an on-site locker room and club house; a new press box, and a new concession area.
Representing a major athletic facility improvement, the University of Virginia installed a new grass playing surface at the then UVa Baseball Field in 1998. The Bermuda grass playing surface - known as Davenport Field - was dedicated on Saturday, April 13th, 2002 during Virginia's second contest of a three-game series against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
Following the 2005 season, the left field wall was shortened and moved inward to decrease the distance down the line by 17 feet. The right field was not adjusted as the stadium dimensions became asymmetrical for 2006.
Following the 2006 season, a new scoreboard featuring a video system similar to the ones at the John Paul Jones Arena
and Klockner Stadium
was installed at Davenport Field. The right field wall was adjusted in association with the project, resulting in a return to symmetrical field dimensions for 2007.
Prior to the 2010 season, a new set of facilities under the stadium were constructed, including an on-site visitors' clubhouse, umpire room, coaches' office. A hall of fame dedicated to baseball will also be constructed in the same space.
During the 2010 season, the seating capacity of Davenport Field was progressively increased with the addition of 3 sets of temporary bleachers. This expanded the facility's official capacity from 3,600 to 4,825, with the final addition occurring prior to the school's final ACC series at home versus North Carolina
.
Prior to the May 13, 2011 series versus Miami
, 249 General Admission seats were added behind the right field wall increasing the stadium's capacity to 5,074.
, UVa athletic director. "Adding stadium lighting will allow our team to play or practice at night and thus miss fewer classes. In addition, the facility will become a community asset, offering a potential venue for high school tournaments and adult-league games."
, Davenport was instrumental in increasing the donations and donors to the annual fund and leading capital funding efforts for the athletics program during his tenure. He served the University in several capacities including head baseball coach and head golf coach.
in attendance, averaging 3,125 per home game.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
. It is the home field of the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
Cavaliers college baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
team. The stadium holds 5,074 fans and opened in 2002. It is named after former UVa executive director, Ted Davenport.
Opening Day
On February 16, 2002, the University of Virginia baseball program defeated the Bucknell BisonBucknell University
Bucknell University is a private liberal arts university located alongside the West Branch Susquehanna River in the rolling countryside of Central Pennsylvania in the town of Lewisburg, 30 miles southeast of Williamsport and 60 miles north of Harrisburg. The university consists of the College of...
by the score of 10-3 in the first ever contest played at the brand new UVa Baseball Stadium. Virginia opened the door on its new multi-million dollar facility for the 2002 season.
Renovations
The UVa Baseball Stadium has been through a series of improvements over its tenure as the home to the Virginia Cavaliers, but none like the upgrades and renovations that have taken place in recent years.Improvements to the stadium include: a canopied grandstand with 1,500 seats; an additional 500 seats and a grass hillside to provide more seating; six sky boxes for lease by fans and corporate sponsors; stadium lights; new dugouts for the home and visiting teams; an on-site locker room and club house; a new press box, and a new concession area.
Representing a major athletic facility improvement, the University of Virginia installed a new grass playing surface at the then UVa Baseball Field in 1998. The Bermuda grass playing surface - known as Davenport Field - was dedicated on Saturday, April 13th, 2002 during Virginia's second contest of a three-game series against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
Following the 2005 season, the left field wall was shortened and moved inward to decrease the distance down the line by 17 feet. The right field was not adjusted as the stadium dimensions became asymmetrical for 2006.
Following the 2006 season, a new scoreboard featuring a video system similar to the ones at the John Paul Jones Arena
John Paul Jones Arena
John Paul Jones Arena, or JPJ, opened for the 2006–2007 NCAA Division I basketball season and is located at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia...
and Klockner Stadium
Klöckner Stadium
Klöckner Stadium is home to four nationally recognized sports programs — the University of Virginia men's and women's soccer in the fall and men's lacrosse and women's lacrosse teams in the spring. The stadium was designed by VMDO Architects and built in 1992 at a cost of $3.4 million, and...
was installed at Davenport Field. The right field wall was adjusted in association with the project, resulting in a return to symmetrical field dimensions for 2007.
Prior to the 2010 season, a new set of facilities under the stadium were constructed, including an on-site visitors' clubhouse, umpire room, coaches' office. A hall of fame dedicated to baseball will also be constructed in the same space.
During the 2010 season, the seating capacity of Davenport Field was progressively increased with the addition of 3 sets of temporary bleachers. This expanded the facility's official capacity from 3,600 to 4,825, with the final addition occurring prior to the school's final ACC series at home versus North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels baseball
The North Carolina Tar Heels baseball team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in NCAA Division I college baseball. They participate in the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division....
.
Prior to the May 13, 2011 series versus Miami
Miami Hurricanes baseball
The Miami Hurricanes baseball team is the college baseball program that represents the University of Miami.Since 1973, the program has been one of college baseball's elite with 23 College World Series appearances, winning four national championships and advancing to the NCAA regionals a record 39...
, 249 General Admission seats were added behind the right field wall increasing the stadium's capacity to 5,074.
Expanded Scheduling
The new ballpark has enabled Virginia to schedule games against nationally prominent teams that previously would have been played on the road. "This will increase the opportunity for television game coverage," said Craig LittlepageCraig Littlepage
Craig Littlepage is an American athletic director at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia...
, UVa athletic director. "Adding stadium lighting will allow our team to play or practice at night and thus miss fewer classes. In addition, the facility will become a community asset, offering a potential venue for high school tournaments and adult-league games."
Namesake
The field was named in honor of Thomas "Ted" Edward Davenport who served the University of Virginia as Executive Director and Secretary/Treasurer of the Virginia Student Aid Foundation (VSAF) from 1958 until 1988. He was a dear friend and avid fan of the University until his death in 2001. A 1953 graduate of the Curry School of EducationCurry School of Education
The Curry School of Education is a public school of education in the U.S. Located on the campus of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, the Curry School offers professional programs designed to prepare individuals for a variety of careers related to the practice of education...
, Davenport was instrumental in increasing the donations and donors to the annual fund and leading capital funding efforts for the athletics program during his tenure. He served the University in several capacities including head baseball coach and head golf coach.
Milestones & Facts
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Largest Attendance | 5,050 – June 4, 2011 vs St. John's St. John's Red Storm The St. John's Red Storm is the nickname used for the 16 varsity athletic programs of St. John's University. St. John's 16 NCAA Division I teams compete in the Big East Conference, with the exception of the fencing and lacrosse teams, which compete in the ECAC... (NCAA CWS Regional College World Series The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,... ) |
| Overall Record in Facility | 118-41 |
| ACC Record in Facility | 41-27* |
| Record vs. Ranked Opponents | 19-25* |
| Record vs. State Opponents | 30-7* |
| 1st Game | February 16, 2002 vs. Bucknell Bucknell University Bucknell University is a private liberal arts university located alongside the West Branch Susquehanna River in the rolling countryside of Central Pennsylvania in the town of Lewisburg, 30 miles southeast of Williamsport and 60 miles north of Harrisburg. The university consists of the College of... |
| 1st Night Game | March 29, 2002 vs. North Carolina North Carolina Tar Heels The North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State... |
| 1st Win | 10-3 (February 16, 2002 vs. Bucknell Bucknell University Bucknell University is a private liberal arts university located alongside the West Branch Susquehanna River in the rolling countryside of Central Pennsylvania in the town of Lewisburg, 30 miles southeast of Williamsport and 60 miles north of Harrisburg. The university consists of the College of... ) |
| 1st Loss | 13-7 (February 26, 2002 vs. VCU Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University is a public university located in Richmond, Virginia. It comprises two campuses in the Downtown Richmond area, the product of a merger between the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia in 1968... ) |
| 1st ACC Win | 11-10 (March 15, 2002 vs. Florida State Florida State Seminoles The Florida State Seminoles are the men's and women's sports teams of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State participates in the NCAA's Division I . FSU joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1991, and competes in the Atlantic Division in any sports split into a... ) |
| 1st Win over Ranked Team | 11-10 (March 15, 2002 vs. #1 Florida State Florida State Seminoles The Florida State Seminoles are the men's and women's sports teams of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State participates in the NCAA's Division I . FSU joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1991, and competes in the Atlantic Division in any sports split into a... ) |
| *As of the beginning of the 2008 season | |
Attendance
In 2010, the Cavaliers ranked 19th in Division I college baseballCollege baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
in attendance, averaging 3,125 per home game.