By Andy Warner, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

UMBC Athletics, in conjunction with The Baseball Factory, is set to debut the new lighting system installed at the Retrievers' home baseball stadium, The Baseball Factory Field at UMBC, on Tuesday, April 13. The game will mark the Retrievers' first-ever night game at UMBC, with a first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. against George Mason University.

"We are extremely excited with our partnership with The Baseball Factory Organization," said UMBC Director of Athletics Charles Brown. "UMBC has a long successful history with its baseball program and legendary head coach John Jancuska (27th season with over 575 career wins), developing major leaguers, All-Americans and putting NCAA Division-I caliber programs on the field each year. The Baseball Factory runs a class program and our agreement with them will benefit both UMBC baseball as well as the Baseball Factory."

The 350,000-dollar project includes a new lighting system that features eight poles surrounding the stadium, which highlights the brand new playing surface and warning track around the entire field. Most stadiums in the surrounding states use a six-pole system while The Baseball Factory Field at UMBC will utilize the eight-pole system that features the Musco lighting system, considered as one of the best lighting systems for sports complexes.

In the addition, the Duraturf Service Corporation out of Richmond, Va., has redesigned the Retrievers' playing field and added a warning track around the inside of the entire ball park.

"With the brand new playing surface and lighting system along with future renovations to the dugout, press box and expanded seating, The Baseball Factory Field at UMBC will truly be one of the premier facilities in the region," commented Brown.

A pre-game ceremony will take place prior to the opening game. Brown and members of The Baseball Factory will be on hand for the lighting of the field. The Baseball Factory CEO and Founder Steve Sclafani is scheduled to throw out the first pitch.

"We are very excited to be associated with a class act like UMBC," said Sclafani on the partnership with UMBC. "This is a win-win situation for both organizations to make The Baseball Factory Field at UMBC a top notch facility and bring the great state of Maryland a first-class lighted baseball complex."