STARKVILLE, Miss. – Current Texas Rangers star and former Mississippi State baseball great Mitch Moreland recently made a $100,000 donation toward the new Dudy Noble Field, the MSU Bulldog Club announced Thursday. As a result of his significant generosity, the indoor batting cages at the new stadium will be named after him.
“Being a Diamond Dawg carries a lot of memories for me and I would not trade it for anything in the world,” Moreland said. “I am happy to be just one of many Bulldogs contributing to such an important project that will help MSU continue to stay atop the college baseball landscape.”
Moreland’s donation is part of an ambitious $40 million Dudy Noble Field Master Plan which aims to remake the Bulldogs’ home ballpark into the finest in college baseball. Momentum continues to build for the project that calls for a new double-tiered grandstand with chairback seating, an elevated concourse that encircles the playing field and allows a constant view of the game action, welcoming entry plazas, spacious restrooms, concessions, a kids’ play area, berm seating, upgraded field lighting, HD video board, digital ribbon signage, team areas (clubhouse, training room, equipment room, coaches’ offices, etc.) and dramatically improved aesthetics.
“We appreciate Mitch’s gift in helping us provide our student-athletes, coaches and Bulldog family members the finest ballpark in all of college baseball.” MSU Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin said.
Moreland has spent all six seasons as a Major League Baseball player with the Rangers, hitting 83 home runs with 275 RBIs in 591 career games. The Amory, Mississippi, native is currently having the best year of his career in 2015, recording a .287/.337/.496 line in 97 games. Moreland has risen to the occasion when it has mattered most, hitting .304 in 25 at-bats in two World Series (2010 and 2011).
“We appreciate Mitch’s generosity,” head coach John Cohen said. “He continues to be a tremendous ambassador for Mississippi State Baseball.”
Before being drafted by the Rangers in the 17th round of the 2007 MLB Draft, Moreland hit .332 in 129 games for the Maroon and White from 2005-07. The first baseman and left-handed pitcher led the Bulldogs to their eighth NCAA College World Series, hitting .343 in 60 games in his final collegiate campaign.
“I would not trade my experience in Starkville for anything,” Moreland added. “It was a great experience, a huge stepping stone and a time in my life I’ll be forever grateful for.”
Last week, the Bulldog Club announced more than 3,500 seats have been reserved, representing 91 percent of 2015 reserved seat sales. Ninety-eight percent of Left Field Lounge™ spots were renewed, while close to 1,200 chairback seats were reserved by fans who had not previously made a one-time stadium gift.
The Bulldog Club is currently accepting deposits on chairbacks at the new rate of $1,800 per seat. Deposits for all areas may be paid over three installments. To secure seating, please contact the BDC offices at (662) 325-3074 or visit MSUBulldogClub.com for additional information.
For more information on the new Dudy Noble Field, follow the program on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for “HailStateBB.” You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for “HailStateSnap.”
1 comment
Be careful what you wish for. You’ll be saying hello to a brand new AA, or even AAA, stadium. But you’ll be saying goodbye to Dudy Noble Field.
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