Richard Itchy Jones Stadium
The Southern Illinois baseball team moved into the brand new $4.2 million Richard “Itchy” Jones Stadium for the 2014 season after playing at Abe Martin Field since 1964. The renovated facility is named after SIU’s all-time winningest baseball coach. In 21 years as head coach, Jones led the Salukis to 10 NCAA Tournaments and three College World Series. Saluki Athletics officially retired Jones' uniform number one before a game versus Valparaiso on April 30, 2022. Constructed on the site of Abe Martin Field, Itchy Jones Stadium features a fully artificial turf playing surface powered by FieldTurf, including the mound and bullpens. Over 145,000 square feet and 55,000 pounds of turf were used to cover the field. It sits atop 5,400 tons of rock sub-base and was installed using 420,000 pounds of rubber infill and 210,000 pounds of sand infill. The field and bullpens are surrounded by outfield walls and sidewalls that were newly installed in 2014. Each traditional, below-ground dugout is 56 feet long and features a restroom and a camera well to accommodate photographers. Saluki Athletics introduced a state-of-the-art video board in 2024. Watchfire partnered with Southern Illinois University and Saluki Athletics to bring a top-of-the-line LED board with a viewing area of 16 feet by 36 feet. Powered by MotionRocket, the new system will have a built-in scoreboard, integrated stats, as well as 4K capabilities. The modern, concrete seating bowl features five rows of chairback seats behind home plate and bleachers with backrests along the baselines. Picnic tables line the concourse for a relaxing viewing experience. Itchy Jones Stadium also features a permanent concession stand and merchandise stand along with heated restrooms on the concourse behind home plate. The ticket window is located next to the clubhouse, along the third baseline. The stadium also features new, expanded handicap parking on the road adjacent to the left field line. The installation of six Musco stadium light poles in 2014 allowed for night games at the park. The first home night game in program history was played on Friday, April 4 against Bradley. The press box, named in honor of longtime Saluki broadcaster Mike Reis, was built for a cost of approximately $175,000. It is 80 percent larger than the press box at Abe Martin Field, which was built by Jones himself and others in 1986. Included in the 800-square-foot press box are two radio booths and one flex booth that can accommodate radio or television. The Dan Callahan Clubhouse (originally named for Jones) was renamed in 2014 to honor the late head coach of the Salukis, who guided SIU for 16 seasons and who passed in November 2010. His uniform #37 is scheduled to be retired before the Evansville game on April 15, 2023. The upgrades provide a fan-friendly stadium that student-athletes, fans, and alumni can be proud to call the home of Saluki Baseball.