About Klein Field at Sunken Diamond
Often called the most beautiful college baseball facility in the country, Klein Field at Sunken
Diamond added to its beauty after remodeling before the 2001 season. The facelift
for the home of Stanford Baseball includes new stadium style seating, new dugouts
and a three-tier press box. Included among the 2,113 seats is new field level
seating, which will include VIP Seat Side Service. To maintain the beauty of Klein Field at Sunken
Diamond, the famous grass hills on both the first and third base side has been maintained. Both dugouts and the press box were completely rebuilt.
The
new seating has sections named after Jack Shepard, Vince Sakowski, Clarke
Nelson and Lefty May. The press box has been renamed the Bud D. Klein Press
Box and the home dugout is named after former Cardinal head coaches Harry
Wolter, Everett Dean, Dutch Fehring and Ray Young.
Located a short distance from Stanford Stadium (football field), the facility was originally constructed in 1931 and continues to have a seating capacity of 4,000.
In addition to being the home of Stanford Baseball, Sunken Diamond has also
served as a host site for 11 NCAA Regional Tournaments - 1983, 1985, 1987,
1990, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001, 2002, as well as NCAA Super Regionals
in 1999, 2000 and 2002. A Sunken Diamond record of 4,172 fans witnessed the 1997 NCAA
West Regional Final between Stanford and Fresno State.
The original fences measured 360 feet in left field, 500 feet in center and 350 feet in right. In 1978, a seven-foot high permanent inner fence was installed with measurements of 335 in left, 400 in center and 335 in right, replacing a portable fence of the same dimensions used in 1966. The seven-foot fence was increased to 10 feet in 1995.
Prior
to the 2001 remodeling, numerous improvements were made to Klein Field at Sunken Diamond
during the 1990's to keep it among the best in the nation. The most significant
addition was made on February 2, 1996, when lights were turned on for the first
time in school history and No. 2 Stanford beat No. 1 Cal State Fullerton, 5-0.
Eight towers (two 100-foot, two 90-foot and four 80-foot poles) containing one
hundred fifty-eight 1500-watt metal halide luminaries light the playing field
and foul areas. All the luminaries are equipped with "Level 8" Optics system,
which greatly reduce the glare to players and fans.
Several
other new features or renovations were noticeable at Sunken Diamond in 1996,
including the 10-foot outfield fence, refurbished bullpen areas, a landscaped
entry-way and a concrete walkway with railings which runs throughout the grandstand,
and an equipment storage shed and player restroom in the batting cage area.
In addition, 140 new oak trees were planted behind the outfield fence. Future
plans call for improvements to the players and coaches clubhouse area.
A renovated batting cage area, completed in the fall of 1989, is considered one of the best in collegiate baseball. The area includes two full-length tunnel cages that open up to accommodate eight hitting areas.
The Bud D. Klein Varsity Clubhouse was completed prior to the 1988 season. The structure includes the player's locker room, coaches offices, men's and women's restrooms, training room, equipment room, ticket office, and alumni reception room (Diamond Suite). The clubhouse was made possible by Bud Klein and his children - Tom, Dick, Steve and Kathy.
The Stanford Baseball program would like to thank the Diamond Club and John Arrillaga for their generous contributions and continuing support of Cardinal Baseball and Klein Field at Sunken Diamond.
Klein Field at Sunken Diamond Facts
| Built | 1931 |
| Capacity | 4,000 |
| Surface | The grass is a Bermuda Rye Blend, mowed to one inch. The dirt is a mixture of decomposed granite and clay fines. |
| Dimensions | 335 (left)
400 (center)
335 (right)
375 (alleys) |
| Lighting | Musco "Level 8." Eight towers (two 100'; two 90'; and four 80') containing 158 1500-watt metal halide luminaries light the playing field and four areas. These were installed in 1995. |
| Scoreboard | A new Daktronics video scoreboard was installed for the 2008 season, and is located in right field. |
| | |
Bud Klein Varsity Clubhouse
The Bud D. Klein Varsity Clubhouse, completed prior to the 1988 season, helps keep Klein Field at Sunken Diamond among the most beautiful collegiate baseball facilities in the nation. The Stanford baseball program would like to extend its warmest thanks to Bud Klein and his family for their generosity and continued support of Stanford Baseball.
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