UNA SOFTBALL COMPLEX AT COX CREEK PARK
The University of North Alabama softball team plays its home games at the UNA Softball Complex at Cox Creek Park.
The home for the Lions recently got a new look. Before the 2006 season, a $630,000 renovation of the school’s old home field was completed, giving the Lions one of the top facilities in the Gulf South Conference.
The softball team's home features a new press box, bleacher-type grandstand seating, a concession stand and a concourse area.
While the renovations proved to be both fan-friendly and staff-friendly, the most impressive upgrades were added for the benefit of the coaches and players on the field. UNA’s home dugout has an inside door connecting to the team’s locker room, which includes a bathroom, training room, laundry room, showers and training room. The visiting dugout also has its own bathroom.
The playing field features a new backstop and foul poles with the letters UNA painted on each one. There is also a warning track and a storage shed, and warm-up area beyond the outfield fence.
During the Lions' first season at their new facility, the team went 40-20 overall, and posted an 18-3 mark at home. UNA opened play at the new field with a 3-0 victory over Arkansas Tech on Feb. 11, 2006. On Mar. 7, Krystal Hand's grand slam against West Alabama represented the first home run at the new field, and paved the way for an 11-3 GSC win over the Tigers.
In 2010, the complex got a new scoreboard, showing inning-by-inning scores as well as balls, strikes and outs. A fan-friendly viewing deck was constructed the following year just past the right center field fense. Prior to the 2012 season, a new sound system was added, featuring four new speakers designed to enhance the sound quality and game atmosphere during home games.
The beginning of the 2013 season saw more changes to the Lions' home field. The field dimensions were changed to 195 feet down the lines and 210 feet in center field. The outfield fence also received a black screening with the wording NORTH ALABAMA SOFTBALL printed in purple lettering.
