Originally known as Varsity Park, the field was dedicated in 1972 to Pete Beiden, Fresno State baseball coach from 1948 to 1969. Beiden, who led the program to 600 wins in his 21 seasons, was inducted in 1972 into the College Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.[1]
Stadium lighting was installed in 1969 and updated in 1996. In 1983, the venue underwent a $2.2 million redesign. In 1998, a new scoreboard, PA system, and bleacher sections along both foul lines were added. In 1999, the natural grass infield was renovated. In 2004, the left field bleacher section (added in 1998) was removed to allow for indoor batting cages and a clubhouse to be built.[1] Following the 2010 season, further renovations added a turf "halo" surrounding the infield and a new sound system.[3]
As of the end of the 2009 season, Fresno State has a 1,023–439–1 (.699) all-time record at Beiden Field.[1]
On the field itself, the facility features bullpens, 200,000ft2 (19,000m2) of grass surface, cinder-clay mix infield dirt, and a rock dirt warning track. In 2000, the American Baseball Coaches Association/Turface Field Maintenance Award was given to the field's groundskeepers. On the center field wall, the numbers of two Fresno State coaches (#2 for Pete Beiden and #26 for Bob Bennett) are displayed. In addition, a seven-foot statue of Beiden stands outside the stadium. The field's stadium lighting includes eight towers with a total of 98 bulbs.[1]
Around the playing field, the facility includes a clubhouse, offices, batting cages, restrooms, concessions stands, and a press box suitable for 40 media members.[1]
Attendance
Out of the venue's capacity of 5,757 spectators, 3,575 seats are chairback. The main, concrete seating structure lies behind home plate, while additional bleacher seating lies down the right field foul line. The section behind home plate features four lower rows of box seats and 16 upper rows of more chairback seating. The two sections are separated by a cross aisle.[1]
↑Merzbach, Brian. "Pete Beiden Field". Ballpark Reviews. Archived from the original on September 12, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2011. Beiden Field was originally built for the Fresno State collegiate team, but doubled as a professional venue from 1998–2001 while the Fresno Grizzlies were awaiting their new downtown ballpark to be completed.
