El Camino Real Park Grand Re-Opening to take place Saturday

ORANGE, Calif. – The City of Orange and the Chapman University softball team host the Grand Re-Opening ceremony of El Camino Real Park on Saturday, May 1 at 11 a.m. introducing the newly-renovated park and softball complex. Following the ceremony, Chapman plays its final games of the season with a doubleheader against the University of Dallas beginning at noon.

Pregame festivities will include introductions of Orange's five council members and remarks from City of Orange Mayor Carolyn Cavecche, Chapman University President James Doti and president of the Central Orange Girls' Fastpitch League Mike Velasquez. Games and information booths will open at 9 a.m. Also since it is Senior Day, in between games, the softball team will honor seniors Ally Waffle, Vanessa Goncalves, Dani Brown, Stevi Lockwood and Melanie Villarroel for their contributions to the program over the last four seasons.

The City of Orange will unveil four fastpitch-only softball diamonds at the El Camino Real facility. In December, the Orange City Council approved a lease agreement with Chapman for primary use of the "premiere" diamond which includes permanent fencing, batting cages, bullpens and scoreboard.

Saturday closes out Chapman’s first season at El Camino having used Hart Park as its home field since 1983. It was there that the Panthers hosted and won four NCAA Division III West Region championships in 1998-2000 and '04. Chapman also hosted the Sun West Tournament at Hart Park from 2001-08 and in 2010.

by Nicole Inal & Chris Watts
Sports Information Intern and Sports Information Assistant