This season the Panther baseball team will hit, run and throw for the first time in a real stadium at home.

The new Coaches’ Stadium at Monier Field is now 95 percent completed, according to John Smith, assistant athletic director. Consturction began a year ago when the sprinkling and drainage systems were dug while the actual foudation was laid in June just after the team finished its season.

The final cost of the stadium is close to $1 million and should seat close to 550 fans. The ballpark was not funded by student fees, but rather by fundraisers and private fund donations.

“The final cost should be around $950,000,” Smith said. “We still have to finish dugout work, filling dirt and put the finishing touches on the wall and pillars.”

Players and coaches alike seem thrilled at the final look of the stadium.

Ben Duke, a senior third baseman sees the stadium as “a step in the right direction.”

Head coach Jim Schmitz feels the new stadium will help boost recruitment.

“It will help us land that blue- chip player because he will see our committment,” Schmitz said. “We will have a much greater home field advantage.”

Schmitz is very optimistic about improving the team’s 35-20 record from last season. This year, Schmitz feels the team’s chances this year are very good.

“We have the best pitching staff I have seen in my eight years, and we were very lucky to have added a shortstop over the summer and more power at the plate,” Schmitz said.

The new stadium will not only reflect the baseball team and Eastern’s athletic department, but the town of Charleston.

“When new corporations decide to move in, they will look at everything in a town, and Eastern is a reflection of Charleston,” Smith said. “The new stadium projects a very positve image to anyone associated with Eastern Illinois University and will show not only student athletes, but everyone that we have something to be proud of here at Eastern.”