Gene Bicknell Sports Complex
The Gene Bicknell Sports Complex is the home of both the Pittsburg State Baseball and Softball programs. It includes Al Ortolani Field, home of the baseball team, the PSU Softball field, coaches offices, an indoor hitting facility and two intramural fields. The baseball and softball coaches' offices and storage areas for both sports are located in the house at the front of the complex.
Al Ortolani Field
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Al Ortolani Field continues to draw reviews as one of the top playing facilities in the Midwest. It is named in honor of longtime PSU athletic trainer Al Ortolani, who was the Gorillas first baseball coach (1962-72). Ortolani guided PSU to a 95-90 overall record, including a pair of Central Intercollegiate Conference titles and a trip to the NAIA District III playoffs. Pittsburg State moved into the on-campus facility on April 1, 1995. The Gorillas had played at the city-owned and shared Jaycee Ball Park from 1962-72 and again from 1991-95.
Al Ortolani Field received a boost prior to the 2003 season with the installation of lights to the facility. In Summer 2017, Al Ortolani Field's grass infield and outfield was replaced with an AstroTurf surface thanks to private funding. In the winter of 2018 and early spring of 2019, PSU's Gene Bicknell Sports Complex received a $1.8 million enhancement - entirely through private funding - which included the construction of a new locker room, coaching offices, batting cage, press box and grandstands at Al Ortolani Field.
PSU Softball Field
The Pittsburg State softball program has played 24 seasons at the PSU Softball Field. The field opened for the team's regular season home finale against Southwest Baptist on April 22, 1998. The team won their inaugural game, 2-1, before losing the second game of the doubleheader. All-time the Gorillas are 316-192-1 (.622) at the PSU Softball Field.
Baseball/Softball Locker Rooms
Inside the facilities, the baseball and softball programs both have top quality locker rooms. Aside from beautifully crafted wooden lockers, the rooms are complete with leather seating areas and TVs, in addition to snack fridges and built-in kitchenette areas, making for perfect places to hang out surrounding games or practices.
Indoor Hitting Facilty
A new indoor hitting facility directly behind both the softball and baseball fields was completed in 2013. The building features a pulley system of nets that can form up to five batting cages and/or pitching areas for the baseball and softball teams.
