The Texas Tech Athletics department is in for a busy week as it gets Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park ready to host the NCAA Lubbock Regional this weekend.
“There’s a lot of planning that goes on, like bringing the teams in and where they’ll stay, and what we’ll do about ticket sales, and dealing with the officials,” Senior Associate Athletic Director Robert Giovannetti said.
Giovannetti said although they knew hosting could be a definite possibility, it didn’t make the news any less sweet.
“When you see it pop up, number five seed, highest in program history, I think it’s such a great reward for these guys for the season they had,” Giovannetti said. “So we’re really excited about hosting.”
He said there’s a lot that goes into hosting. It has to appear like there’s no real home team advantage, so no walk up songs are played, and Tech may even be the away team. The only thing that doesn’t change is the fans, and with a packed house expected, Giovannetti said they’re bringing in more seating.
“We’ll add temporary bleachers and that will hold another three hundred or so and then down the right field line there’ll be some more temporary seats,” he said.
Crews are also working the exterior. Lupe Garcia has helped clean up the park for the last 14 years and is considered part of the team.
“We wash the concrete, put bags in the trash cans and make it look good so it won’t smell so bad,” Garcia said.
Tech hasn’t hosted a regional since 1999, but they did host a super regional two years ago. Giovannetti said Lubbock is ready.
“We remember, in 2014, when we hosted a super regional, how exciting and how electric,” Giovannetti said. “It felt like being at a football game and so we’re hoping for that this weekend. Come out early, watch all the teams play, not just the games the Red Raiders are involved in, and enjoy a great baseball weekend.”
Tech opens up NCAA Regional play against Fairfield, Friday at 2 P.M.
