UFCU Disch-Falk Field Ready for NCAA Austin Regional After Completion of Urgent Repairs to Storm-Damaged Playing Surface and Infrastructure

Just days before the start of the NCAA Austin Regional, officials at the University of Texas confirmed that repairs to the storm-damaged UFCU Disch-Falk Field have been completed in time to safely host postseason play. What looked to be a potential logistical nightmare for the Longhorns and the NCAA tournament has instead become a story of fast response, coordinated effort, and community support, all ensuring that college baseball in Austin would not miss a beat when regional action begins.

The facility, a cornerstone of Texas Longhorns baseball and one of the most iconic ballparks in the collegiate game, sustained damage earlier in May after a severe thunderstorm system swept through the Austin area. High winds and torrential rain compromised parts of the stadium’s infrastructure, including portions of the outfield wall, netting, and dugout roofing, while flooding affected drainage systems and the integrity of the field’s playing surface.

Initial assessments in the aftermath of the storm raised alarms about the viability of the ballpark as a regional host site. With the NCAA’s selection process already underway, Texas risked losing its home-field advantage if the damage could not be resolved quickly. The idea of relocating the Austin Regional, which would have been a significant logistical challenge and a major blow to the Longhorns’ postseason plans, briefly hung in the air.

But a rapid and aggressive repair plan was launched almost immediately. Texas Athletics, in partnership with the university’s facilities department, outside contractors, and a few trusted local firms, prioritized round-the-clock repairs. Equipment rolled in within 48 hours, and work crews began removing debris, re-sodding portions of the outfield, replacing damaged fencing, and ensuring all electrical systems, scoreboards, and lighting rigs were fully functional.

A spokesperson for Texas Athletics said the timeline was tight but achievable with full cooperation from all parties. “We had to move quickly, but we were confident in our team and in the plan,” the spokesperson said. “This facility means everything to our program and our fans. Not being able to host the regional here was never an option we seriously entertained once we saw the damage was manageable with urgency.”

One of the biggest hurdles was restoring the drainage system, which had been overwhelmed by the heavy rains, leading to pooling water in foul territory and around home plate. Grounds crew chief Mark Rodriguez, who has worked at Disch-Falk Field for more than 20 years, called it “the worst standing water we’ve had in a decade.” But with specialized pumps and soil treatments, his team was able to restore the playing surface to regulation standards within four days.

The field’s playing integrity was verified by a third-party inspection team, brought in by the NCAA to confirm safety and fairness for postseason play. According to sources familiar with the inspection, the field passed with “no major concerns,” and all required standards were met for NCAA tournament hosting. Dugout repairs were also completed ahead of schedule, with new supports added for increased wind resistance going forward.

Longhorns head coach David Pierce expressed relief at the news and gave full credit to the behind-the-scenes staff who made it happen. “We always talk about team effort on the field, but this was a different kind of team effort,” Pierce said. “From the university leadership down to the grounds crew, everybody pulled together. We’re just thankful to be back at The Disch in time for the most important part of our season.”

Senior pitcher Tanner Witt echoed the sentiment, saying, “There’s nothing like playing postseason baseball in front of our fans. Knowing we get to do that here, on our field, after everything that happened—it’s a huge boost.”

Indeed, the atmosphere at UFCU Disch-Falk Field is part of what gives Texas its considerable home-field advantage. With a seating capacity of over 7,000 and a fan base deeply connected to the program’s storied history, Disch-Falk becomes an intimidating venue during the postseason. The Longhorns, who have advanced to the College World Series 38 times, including a run to the finals in 2009, have made the Austin Regional a perennial spectacle.

Local businesses also welcomed the announcement with relief. Hosting the NCAA Regional brings in a significant influx of fans, families, and media, all of whom contribute to the local economy. Restaurants, hotels, and rideshare services all benefit from the tourism spike. With the venue secure, those businesses can now prepare for the crowds with confidence.

For city officials and university planners, the quick recovery of Disch-Falk Field is also a showcase of what emergency preparedness and infrastructure investment can accomplish. University officials noted that prior upgrades to the facility, including storm-resistant materials added in 2019 and a redesigned drainage layout in 2021, helped limit the extent of the damage.

“This was a real-time test of our systems, and while the storm definitely did its share of damage, our upgrades worked as intended in many areas,” said UT Facilities Management director Carla Moreno. “There’s always more we can do, and this experience will certainly inform our planning going forward.”

Fans have already started buying tickets in large numbers, with the first session of the Austin Regional expected to be a near sell-out. Texas, projected as a top regional seed, will host three other teams in the double-elimination format. The final field will be announced by the NCAA, but the expectation is that the Longhorns will open the regional on Friday evening in front of a raucous home crowd.

Despite the earlier uncertainty, the team’s focus has shifted fully to the task ahead. “We know what’s at stake,” said junior outfielder Dylan Campbell. “Every game from here on out could be our last. But there’s something special about doing this here, where it all started. We’re not just playing for wins—we’re playing for our fans, our school, and everyone who worked so hard to get this place ready again.”

Disch-Falk Field, named for former Texas baseball coaches Billy Disch and Bibb Falk, has seen its share of dramatic moments over the decades. But the days leading up to this year’s regional may rank among the most memorable for reasons that had little to do with what happened between the lines. This was about resilience, about the determination to uphold a tradition, and about refusing to let weather take the heart out of a baseball town.

As the opening pitch nears, the stadium is ready. The field is pristine, the lights are bright, and the Longhorns are home. All that’s left now is the baseball.

And after everything that’s happened, that’s exactly what Austin is ready for.