NEW PALTZ, NY — It has been a summer of change for the SUNY New Paltz Baseball Program. Over the last three months, enhancements to Loren Campbell Memorial Field, the team locker room and additions to the coaching staff have members of the baseball program and coaching staff excited about the upcoming season.
Loren Campbell Memorial Field has received several upgrades during the summer months coinciding with the overall enhancements to all outdoor athletic venues. New windscreen (Royal Blue) and fence cap (Orange) was put on the outfield fencing to coordinate with the school colors. Foul poles were painted orange and the dugouts have been painted blue as well. A high pressure water line was installed on the field to allow adequate watering of the entire field. A high pressure water cannon was purchased by the Athletic Department to help with this endeavor.
Wall padding has been added behind home plate to enhance the look of the ballpark and electricity and lights have been installed in each dugout. New signage has been purchased to match the new color scheme as well. A new backstop net, new batting tunnel net and new rollaway netting has been purchased and installed along with the addition of permanent netting in the soft toss area down the third base line.
The health and stability of the natural turf continues to increase with the help of The Lawn Doctor of Kingston. The Lawn Doctor treats all outdoor athletic venues on campus and the results are wonderful. With the parking lot below the field now finished, the baseball venue in New Paltz is something the whole athletic department can be proud of.
The New Paltz baseball locker room received a huge facelift as part of the enhancements going on to Elting Gymnasium while the new athletic center is being built. The locker room has been painted, carpeted and new lighting has been installed. The shower area has been remodeled along with the bathroom facility to create a first class facility for the members of the baseball team.
Coach Juhl was busy during the summer hiring two assistant coaches to join the staff. Coach Juhl first hired Tom McTamney from the staff at Dutchess Community College. Coach McTamney handled the pitching staff at DCC for five years. In his tenure at DCC, the Falcons reached the Division III Junior College World Series three times, finishing as high as third. Prior to working at DCC, Coach McTamney was the head coach at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh for eight seasons. The Black Knights earned a berth in the NCAA Division III Regional twice during his tenure. Coach McTamney with handle all aspects of the pitching staff for coach Juhl and will be in charge of recruiting the Hudson Valley.
Coach Juhl’s other summer hire is Mike Pritts. Coach Pritts was a three year starter at Ithaca College where the Bombers made the NCAA Regionals three times during Coach Pritts four years at Ithaca. After graduating from Ithaca, Coach Pritts coached at Salisbury prep school in CT, from 2004 through 2005. Along with his coaching duties, Coach Pritts also taught Biology and Envirnomental Science at Salisbury Prep. Coach Pritts will handle the infielders, coach first base and share hitting duties with Coach Griffiths.
With all of the enhancements the baseball program has received, the coaching staff is very excited about the upcoming season. Fall workouts have begun and the team is loaded with talent. The Hawks will play their only fall contest on Saturday September 24th against local rival Vassar College. The 28 inning contest will begin at 9am and admission is free. Come check out the 2005-2006 version of New Paltz Baseball.
