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Dedeaux Field
Due to construction at Dedeaux Field, USC's 2024 home games will be split between OC Great Park in Irvine, Page Stadium at LMU in Westchester, and Cicerone Field at UC Irvine. All USC home games will be free and open to the public this season.
Overview
You knew there had to be something special about Dedeaux Field from the day it first opened its gates on March 30, 1974.
Righthander Russ McQueen threw a no-hitter that afternoon in the first game ever played at Dedeaux Field as USC swept a doubleheader from California. The Trojans went on to win the national championship that year and Dedeaux Field has been their home ever since.
The 2011 season will mark the 38th season of play at Dedeaux Field, where USC has a record of 736-370-1. One of the nation's finest collegiate baseball structures, Dedeaux Field has continually been improved over recent years with the grandest project taking place before the 2002 season. A $4 million project signified the largest improvement made to the facility as a new clubhouse and players’ lounge were added on the first base side. Expanded offices for the coaching staff and new Hall of Fame were also part of the project, along with a new restroom pavilion. Prior Plaza, named after Jerry and Millie Prior (parents of former Trojan Mark Prior), is located on the first base side and features USC's All-Americans and players who have played in the majors.
During the 2008 season, the million-dollar Rod Dedeaux Research for Baseball Institute (RDRBI) added redesigned batting cages, a new weight room and state-of-the-art video motion analysis. A brand-new Daktronics scoreboard with a video board also was installed and the outfield wall was replaced with a fence that features padding to protect players.
Prior to the start of the 2011 season, USC spent $600,000 to replace the lights with a system that meets NCAA-mandated requirements in order to host postseason play. The baseball program also dedicated the scoreboard in honor of former head coach and player Mike Gillespie as well as naming the batting cages for the Boone Family, which included former USC players Aaron and Bret Boone.
A new bleacher section was added on the first base side, pushing capacity to 2,500 at Dedeaux Field. In the fall of 2003, the drainage system was upgraded with new grass installed for the entire field.
Prior to the 2000 season, the press box was expanded while in 1994, a state-of-the-art scoreboard/message center, which was donated by the Port Family in memory of Al Port, whose two sons, Randy (1967-69) and Jeff (70-72), both played baseball at USC, and whose grandson, Ryan, also was a part of the program was built in right field.
With dimensions of 335 feet down the right and left field lines, 365 in the right field power alleys and 375 to the left field power alleys, and 395 to straightaway center, Dedeaux Field is a natural grass field.
Dedeaux Field has also been used extensively by the entertainment industry. It has been the site of MTV’s “Rock-and-Jock” softball game and was used in the production and filming of several motion pictures, including “Mr. Baseball,” “The Big Leaguer,” “A League of Their Own” and “For Love of the Game."
Just minutes away from downtown Los Angeles, the field is located on the northwest corner of the USC campus near the intersection of Jefferson and Vermont streets.
