Baseball hits home run with $1 million for training facility

From left to right: Tom Hardt, President
Horace Mitchell, Coach Bill Kernen,
Beverly Byl and Barbara Hardt

With five months before their first game, CSUB's baseball program has already hit a home run thanks to Tom and Barbara Hardt. The long-time Bakersfield residents stepped up to the plate with a $1 million donation to help construct the university's baseball training and playing facility.

“I have expressed to Tom and Barbara our deepest gratitude for believing in our vision of excellence and for investing in CSUB's future,” said President Horace Mitchell.

Baseball is the university's newest sport and part of the transition to NCAA Division I. The baseball training and playing facility will be located on the southwest corner of campus, near the current little league facility.

“Barbara and I are pleased to be able to support CSUB and the athletics program,” said Mr. Hardt, who received a bachelor's of public administration as part of the university's second graduating class in 1973 and has been building homes in Bakersfield for over 40 years.

Plans for the $2 million baseball training and playing facility include a playing field, game-quality fan facilities and a state-of-the-art hitting tunnel structure. Construction will take place in phases as funds are raised, starting with the playing field. No state funds will be used for the project.

“It's an honor to be able to give back to the school and support it in a very meaningful way. I would encourage others to do the same. Contributions at all levels, both monetary and donations of goods or services, will help complete this project,” he added.

A baseball advisory committee, to be chaired by Mr. Hardt, will make the day-to-day decisions about the training and playing facility construction. The committee will only be able to move forward with project construction as funds are received.