The Marshalltown Community College softball program is undergoing a significant transformation as it prepares for the 2026 season. Under the leadership of new head coach Dave Hartman, the Tigers are currently executing a comprehensive series of facility upgrades designed to enhance player safety, improve the fan experience, and modernize the program’s competitive environment.

Several major components of the renovation have already been completed, including the installation of a new 6-foot-high outfield wall. The wall features padding built to Major League Baseball standards by Sports Graphics, a renowned Iowa-based company that serves NFL, NCAA, and professional baseball clients.

Additionally, new side fences have been installed by local contractor Schneider Fencing, with further volunteer expertise provided by Fencing Solutions.

The dugouts have also been updated with new padded rails to provide a professional look and added safety for the student-athletes.

“By utilizing our campus personnel and equipment, we have essentially tripled our spending capacity, enabling us to complete a much more comprehensive project and checking a number of items off of our wish list,” said Hartman. “When completed, the facility upgrades will create a more spectator-friendly ballpark. The stadium will be more aesthetically pleasing, have a better playing surface, meet league standards, and be a safer place for our players and community members to play and practice.”

The next priority is a total overhaul of the playing surface, which is slated for completion by April 1. Des Moines-based Iowa Sports Turf will laser level, recut, and resurface the infield — an upgrade critical for drainage that will significantly reduce the frequency of rainouts.

Following the field work, the focus shifts to a series of structural improvements taking place this spring. MCC Construction faculty Jake Bennet and his construction technology students are currently at work on a new press box and a concrete slab behind the backstop. These upgrades, which include planned improvements to the dugouts, will modernize game-day logistics and streaming capabilities.

This phase also features a collaboration between the construction technology department and Doug Curran’s utility technology faculty and students to install a new padded net backstop.

MCC instructor Kevin Benzing has also provided valuable insight and assistance throughout the planning of the infield renovation.

“We are at the mercy of the Iowa weather, but we are confident we can get all of our improvements completed before the first home game in April,” Hartman said. “The ballpark will look better, play better, and help us recruit. It is an essential piece of the planned resurgence of MCC softball.”

The project has been made possible through unique collaborations of campus and community resources. Under the leadership of first-year athletic director Whitney Sowers and Provost Dr. Matt Schmit, various campus departments have provided the labor and expertise necessary to save the college thousands of dollars while providing hands-on learning opportunities for students.