FARMINGTON -- Farmington's journey to the 2018 5A State softball championship game inter-twined with the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks Division I program upgrades to state-of-the-art facilities.
Speaking at a pep rally sponsored by the Farmington Softball Booster Club within the familiarity of the Lady Cardinal home field Thursday, Farmington head coach Randy Osnes highlighted the history of a program he's guided for 24 seasons.
Osnes related frustration he felt with the Arkansas Activities Association's decision to change the venue for the State 5A championship game from Bogle Park, home of the Lady Razorbacks in Fayetteville.
Sunday night, May 13, the AAA announced all state softball finals were being moved to Ferris Field, on the campus of Arkansas State University, at Conway, a 14-mile drive from Greenbrier High School, Farmington's opponent in Saturday's 5A state championship contest.
The reason given by the AAA was the Lady Razorback's involvement in hosting an NCAA regional last weekend.
Monday morning, May 14, a second change of venue was announced due to UCA hosting the National Invitational Softball Championship, also known as the NIT of softball, (NISC) Wednesday, May 16, through Friday, May 18.
The announcement stated, "Due to these unforeseen circumstances, the AAA will move the softball finals to Benton High School."
When Osnes got the news, he was disappointed that his girls wouldn't get what he refers to as "the Bogle Park experience."
Bogle Park was dedicated in 2009 replacing Arkansas' former facility, Lady'Back Yard, with identical dimensions -- 200 feet down the foul lines and 220 feet in center field. The entrance to Bogle Park begins at the concourse level overlooking the field. Seating capacity features 1,200 chair-back seats with space for grilling and groups in the outfield area and six skyboxes. The Lady Razorback softball team has its locker room at the venue plus an indoor practice and batting facility located on the home field side of the stadium.
It's predecessor, Lady'Back Yard, was refurbished George Cole Field, home of the Arkansas baseball team from 1975-1995, and designed to model excellence and efficiency. The only things kept from George Cole Field during reconstruction were stands and dugouts. Other features were rebuilt or upgraded with television caliber lights, custom sod outfield, batting cages, bathrooms, concession stand and pressbox.
According to ladybacks.com, Arkansas got a brand new softball field estimated to have a new construction value in excess of $2.5 million for a fraction of the cost. The Lady Razorbacks played there until 2008 with Bogle Park taking its place.
Through the years, Osnes watched these developments, implementing similar strategy to improve Lady Cardinal facilities. When he found out Lady 'Back Yard would be scrapped, Osnes procured portions of the 3,000-seat grandstand made up mostly of metal bleachers with about 200 chair-back seats gradually transforming Farmington's high school softball facility into a first class sports arena.
"We took from what used to be Lady 'Back Yard," Osnes said, explaining the dismantling and relocation process played out over a year's time with the aid of volunteers dedicated to the Farmington program.
Farmington boasts an indoor training facility and over the off-season added outdoor batting cages and a new flagpole trio, which Osnes praises the booster club for accomplishing.
Farmington's stands don't hold nearly as many as Lady 'Back Yard, yet Osnes believes they could easily hold a state tournament crowd.
"I was upset we were going to UCA," Osnes said. "It's all turf. I didn't understand how this year we played 31 games in all and not one of them were on turf."
Osnes did not want to play on turf and engaged those, who might influence the AAA decision-making in conversation.
"Offer them anything, offer them our place, although I didn't think Greenbrier would go for that," Osnes said.
Osnes wanted to know if the AAA would consider retaining Bogle Park as the championship site by rescheduling the state finals from Friday and Saturday.
"Why wouldn't they put this off until Monday or Tuesday the following week?" Osnes inquired.
A call was placed Monday morning, May 14, to the AAA advising Farmington was willing to host the state finals for all classes 2A through 7A and could seat 500-to-600 fans. As expected the AAA turned down that idea and was unwilling to change the dates. Benton High School sports complex was chosen as the site.
"I read in the paper what the Arkansas Activities Association said that Benton (High School) is the No. 2 nicest facility in the state to play softball," Osnes said, telling the crowd he would beg to differ, "I think we have the best facility in northwest Arkansas and maybe the state."
It didn't get that way by accident.
Sports on 05/23/2018