"Nothing short of incredible." 

The sentiment of Bonnies Associate Head Coach BJ Salerno is likely to be what fans first think when they see the completed Fred Handler Park at McGraw-Jennings Field for the first time later this year.

When Salerno came to campus on his initial visit as a recruit in 2006, he saw a dirt field with no dugouts.

"We had a lot of responsibilities in mowing, dragging the infield, fixing the batters boxes and the pitchers' mound," he said.

McGraw-Jennings Field has been home to Bonnies Baseball since 1958 and while it will still feature its iconic backdrop as well as fan-friendly hill for seating, it will soon have a completely feel while retaining its charm.

Salerno would be a member of the last class to play on the dirt field. After his first season with the program, a round of renovations brought dugouts and a turf field.

Now as the Bonnies near the conclusion of a $1.5 million renovation to take the facility into the next generation, players and coaches alike can't wait.

"We went from near the bottom of the conference as far as facilities to near the top," Head Coach Jason Rathbun said.

The renovation project includes a brand new expanded press box, new infield turf, netted back stop, sound system, and 400 ADA accessible seats for fans behind home plate, the first time in nearly over 100 years of Bonnies Baseball that their home will feature permanent seats for fans. The new press box will also allow for expanded broadcast and streaming production, expanding the reach of the program nationwide for fans, family members and recruits.

The field now gives fans options for how they want to watch the game whether it be the hill, the back of their truck or the seats behind home plate. The new seats give the diamond a completely different feel for fans.

"We saw in the beginning of this fall, the first game that we played there was a hit in the first inning," Rathbun said. "And all of a sudden, there was this roar from the crowd and I was like, dude, you hear that?"

Both coaches have heard from plenty of alumni who wish they had this version of the field during their playing career.

"Every player through the program has been like, man, how cool would it be?" Salerno said.

Rathbun agreed.

"We've heard a lot more alumni saying, I can't wait to come back and see the field," said Rathbun, who has always noticed a crowd of alumni traveling but not as many at home games.

Rathbun quipped, "This place has great acoustics; you can hear the roar of the crowd."

The renovated diamond will help on and off the field.

"It will be huge for us in the summer to host camps and youth clinics," Rathbun explained. "It doesn't just benefit us, it will benefit the community."

Also added for the program is a new locker room in the Reilly Center, exclusively home to Bonnies Baseball year-round.

"This is a special space and it gives them a place of their own to call their home away from home," emphasized Salerno.

The field project included a total of nine donors with Tom Marra, '80, leading the renovation. Rathbun emphasized the importance of alumni like Marra, who gave the lead gift for the renovation project along with his wife, Michelle. Marra played baseball at St. Bonaventure for head coach Fred Handler, whose name has been on the facility since the 2006 renovation.   

The entire project was funded through private donations.

"He is everything to our baseball program as an alum," Rathbun praised. "Our players can look up to him and to strive to be so successful in life, but even more than that, just being an outstanding human being."

"It's impossible tell how important he's been," said Steve Mest, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development. "We wouldn't be anywhere close to where we are without him."