Marita Hynes Field

Marita Hynes Field at the OU Softball Complex has been one of the gems of the sport since it opened its doors in 1998. Across 26 seasons at Marita Hynes Field from 1998 to 2023, the OU softball program went 548-62 (.856), winning 17 NCAA Regionals and nine NCAA Super Regionals at the complex. The Sooners enjoyed winning records in 25 of those campaigns. OU was one of the first schools outside of the then-Pac-10 to make the commitment to its softball program by building an exclusive facility for the sport. The trend caught on and Oklahoma was again leading the pack in women's athletics as new stadiums have sprung up across the national landscape. Additions to the facility included a 6,020 square foot indoor facility opened in January 2009. The indoor facility features a 65' x 65' infield with Hilltopper infield dirt and accommodates four hitting lanes. The complex provides permanent chair back and bleacher seating with a capacity of 1,378, a concessions building and rest rooms, press box, VIP lounge and a ticket office. The complex is equipped with a state-of-the-art underground drainage system, sprinkler system and batting cages. A paved parking lot was in place in time for the 1999 season and OU added the Robert E. Young & Family Softball Locker Room in 2002. A full-color video scoreboard was added prior to the 2010 season.

Marita Hynes

It's a tough task to find a single individual who has had more effect on the collegiate sport of softball and its rise in popularity than Marita Hynes. The longtime fomer senior woman administrator for Oklahoma actually served as the program's second softball coach. When she retired from coaching to begin a career as an administrator, she remained active in the softball world. She spearheaded the fundraising campaign to build the OU Softball Complex and oversaw its construction. During those years, she helped lure the Women's College World Series to Oklahoma City. For all her contributions to OU and beyond, the athletics department officially christened the playing surface as Marita Hynes Field on April 24, 2004.