Ivy Field
Since 1993, Ivy Field, the home of Notre Dame softball where the Irish own a .736 winning percentage, has undergone a series of changes and can now be considered one of the top softball complexes in the country. In 1994 new dugouts and seating facilities were constructed prior to the season and 1995 saw a new drainage system and press box added to Ivy Field.
April 2, 1996, marked a new era at Ivy Field. A 4 p.m. doubleheader against Butler became the first night games played at Ivy Field. A state-of-the-art lighting system was added in 1996 in addition to a new inning-by-inning scoreboard. Ivy Field became more aesthetically pleasing in 1997 thanks to redesigned landscaping and sidewalks and the upgraded bullpens.
1998 marked the first postseason games at Ivy Field as Notre Dame hosted the BIG EAST softball championship on May 2-3, marking the first conference softball championship to be played at Notre Dame.
In addition to the BIG EAST championship, the 1998 home schedule includes 20 games, 10 of which will be BIG EAST conference games. Regional rivals Loyola of Chicago, Valparaiso, Purdue, Butler and Indiana State also will travel to Ivy Field.
