University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA BRUINS - Facilities
Steele Field at Jackie Robinson Stadium celebrates its 33rd season as UCLA’s home baseball facility in the spring of 2013, after having undergone significant renovations since 2006. Jackie Robinson Stadium hosted the NCAA Los Angeles Regional from 2010 to 2012 and the NCAA Los Angeles Super Regional in 2010 and 2012, drawing crowds of over 2,000 fans. Prior to 2010, UCLA had not posted postseason play since 1986.
Most recently, UCLA added a state-of-the-art video scoreboard in the winter of 2012. The new LED video display features a 15HD pixel layout and measures nearly 17 feet tall by more than 49 feet wide, making it one of the largest video scoreboards in the Pac-12.
In 2011, UCLA added 580 chairback seats to the facility, allowing Jackie Robinson Stadium to seat 1,820 fans on a regular basis. The baseball program added 290 chairback seats above each of the dugouts, replacing grass slopes which had existed since the stadium’s founding in 1981.
In January 2009, Jackie Robinson Stadium welcomed a 10,500-square foot hitting complex, named the Jack and Rhodine Gifford Hitting Facility. Midway through the 2008 season, UCLA upgraded its stadium lights, making necessary improvements to meet NCAA standards for hosting an NCAA Super Regional. In January 2008, UCLA installed a state-of-the-art playing surface, a major upgrade made possible for the Steele Foundation.
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Prior to the 2007 season, UCLA installed a major-league quality net behind home plate, improving sightlines for fans and television crews. Other major improvements have included the addition of over 1,000 chairback seats with cupholders in February 2006. The stadium welcomed a new hitter's eye, draped above the center field wall, and the Bruins' scoreboard received a well-deserved face lift.
Located on the site of old Sawtelle Field, Jackie Robinson Stadium provides one of the most comfortable college baseball settings in the West. The stadium was made possible by a private gift from Hoyt Pardee (UCLA '41), a classmate of Jackie Robinson. Without Hoyt, the stadium would not be a reality.
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The main press box, located behind home plate, is flanked by two radio/television booths and provides space for media covering the Bruins. Excellent camera positions for television coverage are located atop both dugouts and on the concourse level. Controls for the professional public address system, electronic scoreboard and lighting systems are located in the main press box. The snack stand is located above the first base stands along with public restrooms.
Jackie Robinson Stadium - UCLA baseball's sixth home field - can be accessed via the San Diego Freeway (405) and Wilshire Blvd. The stadium is located on Constitution Avenue (west off Sepulveda Blvd.) and is just minutes away from the UCLA campus.
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Jackie Robinson, for whom the stadium is named, was the first African-American baseball player to compete in the major leagues when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. As a student-athlete at UCLA, Robinson became the Bruins' first four-sport letterman, playing football, basketball, track, and baseball. A bronze statue of Robinson is located near the concession stand on the concourse level. The statue was dedicated on April 27, 1985, before the UCLA-Arizona State game.
Directions to Jackie Robinson Stadium
From the 405 North
Exit Wilshire Blvd. (West)
Continue straight on Wilshire, through intersection of Sepulveda Blvd.
Immediately after passing 405 North onramp (on right), veer right onto descending ramp toward Veterans Administration (VA) grounds.
Make an immediate right onto Bonsalle Ave., continuing straight through first stop sign (Eisenhower Ave.).
Continue on Bonsalle until second stop sign (Grant Ave.), and veer slight right at fork in road.
Continue straight toward Jackie Robinson Stadium, in plain sight ahead.
From the 405 South
Exit Wilshire Blvd. (West) - stay on far right when exiting offramp onto Wilshire.
Veer right onto descending ramp toward Veterans Administration (VA) grounds. Do not merge left onto Wilshire.
Make an immediate right onto Bonsalle Ave., continuing straight through first stop sign (Eisenhower Ave.).
Continue on Bonsalle until second stop sign (Grant Ave.), and veer slight right at fork in road.
Continue straight toward Jackie Robinson Stadium, in plain sight ahead.
Traffic advisory - an entrance/exit on the eastern boundary of the Veterans Administration grounds is also available at the intersection of Sepulveda Blvd. and Constitution Ave. (adjacent to 405 freeway). Due to security clearances on the VA grounds, this gate may be locked. The directions above ensure the most consistent and direct point of entrance to Jackie Robinson Stadium.
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