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Utah Baseball Holds First Full Fall Practice
9/18/2025 3:55 PM | Baseball
Team takes another step toward first season inside Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark
SALT LAKE CITY – With about five months still to go before beginning the 2026 season, the Utah baseball program took a monumental step on Wednesday by holding its first full team practice inside Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark.
The FieldTurf playing surface was installed inside the new ballpark in August, giving the Utes a place to practice while construction continues in other areas. The project remains on track for completion ahead of the 2026 season.
College baseball programs typically begin the fall with individual and small group practices, gradually ramping up toward full team workouts. In other words, Wednesday did not mark the Utes' first activity in the new ballpark; but it was the inaugural session where everyone was on the field at the same time.
Asked about the ballpark starting to take form, head coach Gary Henderson said, "It absolutely feels real. It's felt real for a while. I've been able to go through (and tour the inside) several times. The outside progress is impressive, and the inside progress is just as impressive."
With construction nearing the late stages, this is not just another fall; nor will it set the stage for just any season. After spending a majority of the last 30 years playing in downtown Salt Lake City, this facility will give the Utes a permanent home on campus and offer a variety of other areas designed to support the student-athletes on and off the field.
The team will continue practicing inside its new home, leading up to a fall exhibition game against SEC foe Vanderbilt. That contest will take place on Friday, Oct. 10, in South Jordan, Utah, at the Salt Lake Bees' recently-opened home—The Ballpark at America First Square. Admission will be free for all fans, with the game set for a 4 p.m. first pitch.
Later in October, Utah will wrap up this portion of the calendar with its intersquad Fall World Series.
An experienced combination of returners and new faces make up Henderson's club going into 2026. Right-handed pitcher and All-Big 12 selection Colter McAnelly is back, as are a variety of familiar names on the pitching staff, in the infield and outfield, and at catcher. Twenty newcomers dot the roster, with 15 members of that group bringing prior college baseball experience to the Utes.
"You show up here every day and some new part of the ballpark is done," McAnelly added. "It's really awesome to see how fast they're getting it done."
The team's complete Fall roster is available by clicking here.
Follow Utah Baseball
Keep up with the Utes by following @utahbaseball and by visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
The FieldTurf playing surface was installed inside the new ballpark in August, giving the Utes a place to practice while construction continues in other areas. The project remains on track for completion ahead of the 2026 season.
College baseball programs typically begin the fall with individual and small group practices, gradually ramping up toward full team workouts. In other words, Wednesday did not mark the Utes' first activity in the new ballpark; but it was the inaugural session where everyone was on the field at the same time.
First full team practice ?? #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/MHMolH1pHp
— Utah Baseball (@utahbaseball) September 18, 2025
Asked about the ballpark starting to take form, head coach Gary Henderson said, "It absolutely feels real. It's felt real for a while. I've been able to go through (and tour the inside) several times. The outside progress is impressive, and the inside progress is just as impressive."
With construction nearing the late stages, this is not just another fall; nor will it set the stage for just any season. After spending a majority of the last 30 years playing in downtown Salt Lake City, this facility will give the Utes a permanent home on campus and offer a variety of other areas designed to support the student-athletes on and off the field.
The team will continue practicing inside its new home, leading up to a fall exhibition game against SEC foe Vanderbilt. That contest will take place on Friday, Oct. 10, in South Jordan, Utah, at the Salt Lake Bees' recently-opened home—The Ballpark at America First Square. Admission will be free for all fans, with the game set for a 4 p.m. first pitch.
Later in October, Utah will wrap up this portion of the calendar with its intersquad Fall World Series.
An experienced combination of returners and new faces make up Henderson's club going into 2026. Right-handed pitcher and All-Big 12 selection Colter McAnelly is back, as are a variety of familiar names on the pitching staff, in the infield and outfield, and at catcher. Twenty newcomers dot the roster, with 15 members of that group bringing prior college baseball experience to the Utes.
"You show up here every day and some new part of the ballpark is done," McAnelly added. "It's really awesome to see how fast they're getting it done."
The team's complete Fall roster is available by clicking here.
Follow Utah Baseball
Keep up with the Utes by following @utahbaseball and by visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ BaseballProgress check at Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark
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