DAVIS, Calif. — For the first time since its construction in 1986, Phil Swimley Field at Dobbins Stadium has undergone a transformative upgrade, headlined by the recent installation of state-of-the-art stadium lights. The project, led by designer Robert Ty Hoblitt and contracted by Staples Construction, includes the installation of eight 80-foot poles at the baseball field and four 100-foot poles at the soccer field, providing NCAA competition-level lighting for both venues.
The new lighting system, equipped with light shields and utilizing the latest LED technology, is designed to minimize light spillage beyond the facilities' perimeter while offering enhanced flexibility for student-athletes and coaches.
In a statement detailing the project, UC Davis emphasized the broader impact of the upgrades:
"Student-athletes will be able to practice with more flexibility thanks to outdoor lighting updates at the Dobbins Baseball Complex and the Aggie Soccer Field. The updated lighting will allow student-athletes to maximize field use around extreme heat and other weather conditions and allow coaches to schedule away from peak academic hours."
The completion of the lighting project at Phil Swimley Field at Dobbins Stadium is particularly historic, as it marks the first time in the facility's 38-year history that the baseball team has been able to play home games under stadium lights. The upgrades build on previous improvements to the baseball complex this past year, which included, new windscreens, an enhanced playing surface, expanded backstop netting, a new batter's eye, and padding along the baselines. Additionally, the installation of a new videoboard in right-center field has further elevated the game-day experience for players and fans.
"The addition of lights to Phil Swimley Field is exciting for everyone in and around our program," said UC Davis head baseball coach
Tommy Nicholson. "Players past and present have envisioned playing night games in Davis for a long time. Thanks to Rocko [DeLuca] and his staff, we are finally able to see this vision come to fruition. I think night games will give the community and student body a chance to come out and create one of the best college baseball atmospheres in the Big West and a home-field advantage for our team."
The upgrades have already made an impact, with the season's opener against Gonzaga and the subsequent Friday night game against Santa Clara drawing larger crowds than any Friday game for the Aggies in previous years.
Nicholson also highlighted the significance of the new videoboard, stating, "The new videoboard is exciting for everyone connected to our program. Those who are close to the program and built it to what it is today have envisioned this for a long time, and now that vision is a reality. It further elevates the game day for both our fans and players and is another step that symbolizes the trajectory UC Davis Baseball is heading in."
Players have embraced the changes, noting the impact on the program's culture and future. "Once you're out there playing under them, it's a special feeling," said pitcher
Noel Valdez. "It's a big stepping stone off the heels of a winning season. This coaching staff and everyone they are bringing in, it's a winning culture."
UC Davis Director of Athletics
Rocko DeLuca played a pivotal role in bringing the project to life. "He was the one that put it in motion, got the wheels turning, and made it actually happen," Nicholson said.
For senior pitcher
Bryan Green, the upgrades represent a dream realized. Green, the Aggies' usual Friday night starter, took the mound for the team's first game under the new lights. "Never thought we were going to have lights here, but it's definitely exciting," Green said.
Nicholson echoed the sentiment, adding, "To have the lights for the first time here in Davis is just an extra layer of excitement. Our players are like little kids out there running around the field."
The totality of these upgrades—from the initial improvements to the recent lighting and videoboard installations—signals a new chapter for UC Davis baseball. These changes not only enhance the student-athlete experience and attract fans but also reflect the department's broader commitment to excellence as it prepares for its transition to the Mountain West Conference during the 2026-27 academic year.
As the Aggies continue their season under the shine of their new lights against UC Riverside on Friday night, the future of UC Davis baseball and UC Davis Athletics has never looked brighter.
