Delaware Softball Diamond - Delaware Blue Hens
- Gregory Koch
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Delaware Softball Diamond 605 S College Ave Newark, DE 19716
Year Opened: 1976
Capacity: 750
Blue Hen Softball
The University of Delaware (UD) is the largest in Delaware and is located in the city of Newark (that's new-ARK, not NEW-urk like in New Jersey). The Delaware athletic teams are known as the Blue Hens, after the official state bird of Delaware, and compete at the Division I level.
The Blue Hens' softball program plays their home games on campus at Delaware Softball Diamond, located in a complex adjacent to the school's field hockey stadium and near most of the other venues. The Delaware Softball Diamond was renovated in 2025 to add a turf field, restrooms, concessions, and lights, greatly improving the fan experience.
Food & Beverage 3
There is a concession stand located between Delaware Softball Diamond and Rullo Stadium (the home of Delaware field hockey) that serves both facilities. The menu here is pretty basic. Hot dogs and nachos are the only real meal options, selling for $5 each, while popcorn ($5), cotton candy ($5), soft pretzels ($3), candy ($4), and ice cream ($3-$4) round out your meal options. To drink, a 20-ounce water bottle sells for $4, a one-liter water bottle for $6, and soda and Gatorade for $5.
Atmosphere 4
A Delaware softball game has an impressive atmosphere. There are several sections of seats behind home plate that provide an excellent and unobstructed view of the action, with a large scoreboard in right field showing detailed team and player information and other graphics. A crowing blue hen sound plays after every Delaware run in homage to the nickname. There are also trivia contests, music, and other activities during breaks in the action to keep fans entertained, although not as many interactive activities as you would see at some venues.
Neighborhood 3
Newark is a typical East Coast college town. Your best option is to head downtown to Main Street, which offers numerous options, including Grotto Pizza and the Deer Park Tavern. You can also head towards Christiana Mall or check out The Border Café, known for its Tex-Mex food and large “EAT” sign.
Fans will also want to check out the UDairy Creamery, which makes ice cream right on campus and is located a short walk from the softball stadium. Although their ice cream is not sold at softball games like it is at Delaware basketball games at the Bob Carpenter Center, it is incredibly easy to visit before or after a game, and you do not even need to move your car.
Fans 4
Delaware softball will draw a few hundred fans to a typical home game, which doesn't seem like much until you consider that the capacity of the stadium is only 750. This means that the bleachers will be about half full for a typical home game, impressive for this part of the country, which often sees swaths of empty seats. The fans are loud, knowledgeable, and passionate about their Blue Hens. This is not just a friends and family crowd as you see at many northeastern venues, either - many locals, Blue Hens fans, alumni, and even youth softball players show up to cheer on Delaware.
Access 3
The University of Delaware campus is conveniently located right off Interstate 95. If coming from the north, take the last exit in Delaware, and the campus will be only a few blocks away. If coming from the south, you are better off getting off at the last exit in Maryland and driving a couple of miles on local roads to avoid the tolls - this will only add about a minute to the drive and will save you $5 each way.
Once on campus, parking can get tricky depending on what else is going on on campus that day. There is a lot next to the softball field, but it also serves the baseball field and several others, so depending on Delaware's athletic schedule, there is a good chance it will be full by the time you get there. If that is the case, you can park by the Bob Carpenter Center and walk a short distance. Signage indicates that you have to pay by app to park in the Carpenter Center lot, and it will cost you a couple of dollars an hour.
Once you are in the complex, restrooms are available by the concession stand in between the softball field and Rullo Stadium. They are of a sufficient size for the crowds, even if there is an event going on at Rullo Stadium as well.
Return on Investment 4
Single-game tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 3-12. Concessions are also quite affordable. However, the cost to park, which is really unnecessary given the size of the lot relative to demand, brings this score down a notch.
Extras 2
Be sure to take advantage of the promotions and giveaways the Blue Hens offer throughout the season. From Blue Hen Bingo to Flashback Friday and more, something is going on at almost every home game. There will also be sponsors lining the walkway to the field, giving away promotional items.
The crow of the Blue Hen after every Delaware run is also worthy of an extra here.
Final Thoughts
The Delaware Softball Diamond is one of the nicest softball facilities in the northeast. With an excellent fan experience and great crowds, a Blue Hens softball game is well worth checking out.
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