Field Dimensions | Left – 200 feet | Right – 200 feet | Center – 220 feet
February 1, 1996: Florida Breaks Ground on Home for Gators Softball
Located at the corner of Museum and Hull Roads, Florida broke ground on the home for Gators softball February 1, 1996, just over a year before the team was set to host its inaugural game at the start of the 1997 season. The $2.6 million facility added to the Gators reputation for having some of the nation’s finest athletic facilities.
Florida Softball Stadium seated 1,200 fans with ample handicap seating, restrooms and concessions areas and an electronic scoreboard with matrix board. The team also had enclosed batting cages, a training room and an umpires’ dressing room area, while the press box included booths for radio and TV broadcasts.
February 8, 1997: Gates Open for Program’s Inaugural Game
2,388 fans gathered at 4 p.m. at Florida Softball Stadium as the Gators played their inaugural doubleheader, defeating Stetson in both games, 8-0 (5) & 3-2. The first pitch was thrown by UF’s Chelsey Sakizzie to Stetson’s Bryttnee Roberts at 4:01:13 p.m. Roberts fouled off the pitch and Sakizzie went on to strike out the side.
Numerous SEC firsts were recorded that day as Amy Criswell notched the first hit for the Southeastern Conference at 4:12 with a single down the left field line in the first inning. Criswell also went on to score the SEC’s first run at 4:19 p.m. and Kristin Sandler notched the conference’s first extra base hit at 4:24 p.m. with a double to left center field.
August 18, 2001: Florida Softball Stadium Receives First Upgrades
In 2001, a 2,300 square-foot locker room, team room and equipment room building were added next to the existing training room and clubhouse building. Nets were extended from the backstop to the ends of both dugouts to protect fans from fly balls.
Called the Florida Softball Stadium until the summer of 2007, the stadium was named Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium after a generous gift from Jamie and Katie Pressly of West Palm Beach. The Presslys are long-time supporters of Gator athletics, as Florida's track and soccer stadium is named for Jamie Pressly and his father.
Fall of 2011: Joyce Oliver Batting Cages & New Scoreboard Added
Prior to the start of the 2012 season upgrades to the Gators' locker room and team room areas, along with a brand new all-purpose, all-weather batting cage facility. Named the Joyce Oliver Batting Cages thanks to a generous donation from Gator Booster Joyce Oliver, the cages feature ample space for hitting, pitching and defense and are complete with a sound system and video analysis capabilities.
Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium also introduced a brand new, state-of-the-art digital video board, prior to the start of the 2012 season for announcements and sponsor ads, while also boasting both video and audio capabilities to enhance the gameday experience for the Gator faithful.
2018-19 Renovations
