New seats on tap for Jim Frost Stadium at Warner Park Softball Complex

Plastic seats at Frost Stadium are dry-rotting from heat and sun exposure and need replacing, according to those that want new seating.
Plastic seats at Frost Stadium are dry-rotting from heat and sun exposure and need replacing, according to those that want new seating.

Jim Frost Stadium at the Warner Park Softball Complex soon will receive new plastic seats behind home plate.

The current batch of home plate seats are deteriorating from age, wear and cracks.

The 3,000-seat facility, also known as "The Field of 1,000 Dreams," serves as the home field for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball program. The stadium hosts national and regional softball championships.

The City Council recently voted to approve the $34,672 purchase of 767 plastic seats that can be bolted onto an existing framework in the stands. The project vendor is Mid-America Sports Advantage of Jasper, Ind.

Ted Broyles, general supervisor of athletic facilities for Chattanooga's Youth and Family Development department, said the current seats were old when purchased from a Major League Baseball stadium six or seven years ago.

"The investment is worth it for the new seats, which will last about 15 years and include a warranty," Broyles said. "The new seats also have slat backs, which makes them cooler to sit in."

The $2 million stadium, built to National Collegiate Athletic Association fastpitch standards in 1998, last received major makeovers in 2008 and 2009. Improvements included seating, concession areas, picnic spaces and a donation of artificial turf by AstroTurf of Dalton, Ga., according to the Chattanooga Mocs website.

Chattanooga Youth and Family Development has also made capital improvements to a number of its centers across the city as part of its mission to provide educational, recreational, career development, leadership and social service opportunities.

In April and May, the gymnasium floors at the Carver, Eastdale, Shepherd and Tyner center underwent a $180,137 renovation project awarded to Praters Athletic Flooring of Chattanooga.

The project called for Carver and Eastdale gyms to receive cushioned synthetic floors that look like maple courts, while the Shepherd gym received a new wooden floor and the Tyner gym floor required only refinishing.

Flooring company president John Prater has expressed enthusiasm for the gymnasium floor overhauls.

"Having been born and raised in Chattanooga, it is very thrilling to have the opportunity to work with the city to identify the needs of recreation centers and improve them," Prater said.

His company has changed the look of basketball courts around the world, and he enjoyed putting that experience to work for Chattanooga, he said. Praters Athletic Flooring has worked with multiple championship events over the past five to 10 years.

Contact staff writer Paul Leach at 423-757-6481 or pleach@timesfreepress.com. Follow on Twitter @pleach_tfp.

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