Bower Field to open for recreational sports use

The home of Penn's varsity baseball team until this year, Bower Field will now house the University's frequently displaced recreational and intramural teams, including ultimate frisbee, rugby and soccer. Meanwhile, Murphy Field, formerly used by recreational and club sports teams, will be the site of a new, state-of-the-art baseball stadium. The project -- which has a price tag of about $2 million -- was funded in large part by an anonymous donor. Murphy Field is scheduled to open in February. Students have long complained that the Penn campus lacks adequate space for recreational sports. The crunch has been even more severe over the past year, since Murphy Field closed for renovations and Bower was refitted to serve its new purposes. Administration officials pledged several years ago to do whatever they could to find more recreational space. "[The renovations of Bower Field] moves us in the direction that the president and other administrators wanted," Recreation Director Mike Diorka said. "It is a welcome relief." Bower Field, located just east of Franklin Field, is more accessible to club athletes than was Murphy Field, which is on the southern tip of campus near the intersection of the Schuylkill Expressway and University Avenue. The newly refurbished Bower Field will boast outdoor lighting, unlike the temporary lighting installed on Hill Field, which was Bower Field's substitute during its construction. With the new lighting, "people all throughout West Philadelphia will want to know what is going on," Diorka said. He also noted that a stronger police presence will be required. The opening of part of Bower Field, however, has been delayed because of this summer's drought, which prevented it from being sodded. But Diorka said the field will be sodded soon and should be "in good shape for spring." Intercollegiate teams have been notified of Bower Field's upcoming availability, and will attend a meeting with Diorka on September 14. Construction of an open-air stadium on Murphy Field began with a groundbreaking on August 30. Director of Athletic Operations Dave Bryan said that the new field will hold 850 people in stadium-style seating, and will have both a press box and a luxury box. Originally, Athletic Department officials speculated that the new stadium would hold as many as 2,000 fans, but later revised that figure downward to 1,000. "It's a big thing for stadiums to do that 'retro' look," Bryan said. "It makes for a really nice atmosphere." Currently, work has begun on the first base dugout, and in the coming weeks concrete footing and curbing will be installed, along with seating. The recent drought should not affect the November sod installation on Murphy Field, according to Bryan. While Murphy Field will primarily be used by the baseball team, Bryan noted that recreational teams will be allowed to use the field for special events, such as home-run derbies and all-star and championship games. Murphy Field is scheduled to open on February 14. Student athletes said they are happy with the recreational changes the University is making. "[Bower Field] is great. It's probably the best field we'll ever get to play at," said John Gensel, co-captain of the men's ultimate frisbee team. "It's a shame it won't be fully opened, but that's not the University's fault." Gensel, a College senior, added that the University did recognize that "there [was] nothing good about Hill Field," and that recreational teams will appreciate the new playing fields.