Pacific's Field of Dreams

On a Saturday late in March, the rain stopped and the clouds parted for a very special event in Forest Grove, Oregon. On this day Pacific University held a dedication ceremony for their sparkling new baseball stadium named after the late Chuck Bafaro, Pacific's baseball coach for 31 seasons between 1964 and 1994. Bafaro's teams captured three conference championships and racked up 533 victories, as he was named the NAIA District II Coach of the Year three times, in 1968, 1972 and 1979.

The all natural grass field sports dimensions similar to major league parks with the baselines hitting the wall at 345 feet, the power alleys stretch out to 375 feet and it will take serious power to send it over the center field wall at 390 feet. The dugout and press box facilities are first class with the grandstands capable of seating 500 fans. Overall, Bafaro Stadium is a jewel of a diamond.

The Pacific Boxers took to the field following the dedication ceremony to play a double-header against the Whitman College Missionaries. With a rare afternoon of early Spring sunshine, the Boxers made it a perfect day by winning both games 5-3 and 7-6. The second game was a thriller come-from-behind victory in the ninth inning, as they overcame a 3-6 deficit by rallying to bringing home four runners for the win. It was a perfect day for Pacific and a perfect day for baseball.