Seminole Softball Complex

FSU Softball Field

Florida State University is home to one of the premier softball complexes in the nation. JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex is state-of-the art in every facet and provides Florida State softball players with an all-inclusive complex that includes locker  rooms, meeting rooms and one of the best playing surfaces anywhere in the country. JoAnne Graf Field has hosted NCAA Regionals in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Noles have hosted a NCAA Super Regional in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Known as one of NCAA softball’s best venues, JoAnne Graf Field is a modernized field of play that caters quite well to student-athletes, coaches, fans and other spectators. Since opening in 1999, Florida State has played to the venue’s home-field advantage. The Seminoles have recorded 553 victories in their 20 years at JoAnne Graf Field. The complex was also featured in Athletic Business Magazine’s 2002 Architectural Showcase.

An eye-catching addition to the complex was completed in 2011 when a new indoor batting facility was constructed. The facility, which was awarded the 2011 AIA Tallahassee Chapter Design Achievement Honor Award, is endorsed for its combination of external features, comfortable nature and multiple purposes within the sport of softball. Approaching nearly 12,000 square feet, the brand-new feature is unique and aesthetically pleasing. It is a two-story facility that includes a sizeable bullpen, hitting nets and a wide area on the top floor for stretching and other softball activities. The near million dollar facility that was spear-headed by architects Lewis + Whitlock is a beacon for future player development while providing a safe haven from inclement weather.

Another recent addition to the field was the installation of new outfield grass and a redesign of the clay cutout around home plate during the summer of 2015. A shade screen was also installed over the seats behind home plate during the 2017 season to help fans beat the heat as the season moves into May and June. The shade screen was replaced with a permanent shade structure for the start of the 2020 season to give cover to all reserved sheets at the complex. Improvements to every aspect of the complex are constantly developing as Florida State softball strives to keep itself among the elite in terms of its facilities and amenities.

The team building underwent a multi-million dollar renovation to the second floor which began in October 2008. The expansion to the second floor now includes new offices, a team meeting room, tradition space for both softball and soccer and a player lounge.

State-of-The-Art Softball Complex

Florida State’s dream of a new, state-of-the-art softball complex became reality when ground was broken in a ceremony in the spring of 1998. Construction workers worked continuously to complete the facility, which also houses the Seminole soccer stadium. The result was the creation of one of the nation’s premier collegiate softball and soccer facilities. The complex, which was completed in the spring of 1999, includes ticket and concessions buildings and spacious press boxes with radio/television booths. The two-level Mary Ann Stiles & Barry Smith Team Building features a reception area, softball and soccer coaches offices, which overlook their respective stadiums, a combined workroom, large team and coaches locker rooms, training and equipment rooms as well as large meeting rooms.

The Florida State Soccer/Softball Complex was “officially” opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, April 17 1999. The event, which was held in conjunction with Florida State’s 30th Anniversary of Women’s Intercollegiate Athletics Spring Celebration, drew approximately 150 spectators, including University dignitaries and athletics department personnel. Several former Florida State student-athletes and staff also returned for the monumental event. 

Two major changes were made to the complex in the mid 2000s. On April 2, 2005, former university president Dr. T.K. Wetherell and former Athletics Director, Dave Hart, officially renamed the softball stadium “JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex.” She joined Bob Heck at Georgia State as the only two active softball coaches with fields named after them. It was only fitting that one day later Graf crossed the 1,300-win plateau with a 5-2 triumph over Virginia Tech. In the fall of 2006, the stadium got a facelift as a Florida State unveiled a brand new video scoreboard for the 2007 season. The board uses the same technology that is used at most outdoor professional stadiums. The ProStar is capable of displaying video clips, live video, animation, player headshots, graphics and statistics in 4.3 trillion colors.

The Seminole Softball Complex, which is adjacent to the FSU Soccer Complex, is located between Dick Howser Baseball Stadium and Mike Long Track on Spirit Way. The facility can be accessed from both Spirit Way and Stadium Drive.

COMPLEX INFORMATION

Architects Gilchrist and Crowe
Construction Completed, spring 1999
Field Dimensions 200' - lines; 220' - center
Stadium Capacity 1,000

TOP 10 ALL-TIME ATTENDANCE

12,509
May 3, 2017 (FSU 3, Florida 1)
22,138April 11, 2018 (FSU 4, Florida 1)
31,818April 17, 2019 (Florida 4, FSU 0)
41,781February 17, 2018 (FSU 9, Minnesota 3)
51,764May 4, 2022 (Florida State 2, Florida 1)
61,731April 9, 2022 (Florida State 9, Virginia Tech 23)
71,723April 26, 2019 (FSU 8, Duke 0)
81,712
May 4, 2016 (Florida 7, FSU 1)
91,685April 8, 2015 (Florida 5, FSU 1)
101,646May 21, 2022 (FSU 8, Howard 0)

TOP 10 REGULAR SEASON ATTENDANCE

12,509May 3, 2017 (FSU 3, Florida 1)
22,138April 11, 2018 (FSU 4, Florida 1)
31,818April 17, 2019 (Florida 4, FSU 0)
41,781February 17, 2018 (FSU 9, Minnesota 3)
51,764May 4, 2022 (Florida State 2, Florida 1)
61,731April 9, 2022 (Florida State 9, Virginia Tech 23)
71,723April 26, 2019 (FSU 8, Duke 0)
81,712May 4, 2016 (Florida 7, FSU 1)
91,685 April 8, 2015 (Florida 5, FSU 1)
101,573April 23, 2022 (Florida State 6, Clemson 0)

JOANNE GRAF FIELD FIRSTS

GameFlorida State 9, Mercer 0 (Feb 19, 1999)
Pitch3:05 pm. (Feb. 19, 1999)
Game Time1 hr. 30 min.
BatterStephanie Anunson (Mercer) Flied out to left field
HitDanielle Cox (Florida State) vs. Mercer (Feb. 19, 1999)
2BAndi Lyons (Florida State) vs. Mercer (Feb. 19,1999)
3BTami Post (Florida State) vs. Mercer (Feb. 19, 1999)
HRDanielle Cox (Florida State) vs. Mercer (Feb. 19, 1999)
WalkCorrie Williams (Florida State) by Jenifer Milam (Mercer) (Feb. 19, 1999)
StrikeoutChristine Hall (Mercer) by Jen White (Florida State) (Feb. 19, 1999)
SacrificeChristy Cerecedes vs. Mercer (Feb. 19, 1999)
Stolen BaseDanielle Cox vs. Mercer (Feb. 19, 1999)
ErrorCheri Rasmussen (Mercer) (Feb. 19, 1999)
WinJen White (Florida State) vs. Mercer (Feb. 19, 1999)
LossJennifer Milam (Mercer) vs. Florida State (Feb. 19, 1999)
No HitterLeslie Malerich (FSU) vs. Toledo (March 12, 1999)
Perfect GameLeslie Malerich (FSU) vs. Princeton (March 15, 2000)

Directions

From Interstate 10 Westbound - Exit 209A

From Interstate 10 Eastbound - Exit 196

From HWY 90 West (Quincy)

FROM: Route 319 (Thomasville Rd.)

From Airport