Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
NM State Softball Complex
1830 Stewart St, No1654
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 1050
Aggie Softball
The NM State Softball Aggies team has had winning seasons over the last decade, reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2018. The team began play in 1975 and is currently a C*USA (Conference USA) member.
They play their home games at the picturesque NM State Softball Complex on campus in Las Cruces, NM. The complex was built in 1981 and received renovations in the 2000s. The university has hosted many conference tournaments featuring top competition from around the country throughout the years. It also hosts the annual Troy Cox Classic, which Stadium Journey saw during its visit in 2024.
Food & Beverage 2
A small concession truck sits behind the stands selling snacks and drinks. Nachos, hot dogs, chips, pickles, popcorn, Cheetos w/cheese, and candy cost $2 - $5. Sundays are $2 hot dog days.
Drinks include bottled Pepsi products, water, and Gatorade ($4). Beer choices include canned Coors Light, Modelo, and Mixed-Up Aggie-Rita (a canned raspberry margarita cocktail made especially for NM State). The canned alcohol sells for $8.
Outside food and drink are not allowed except for bottled water.
Atmosphere 3
NM State Softball Complex offers a pleasant game day outing.
Ten to twelve rows of bleachers with handrails sit behind the home plate area. Two smaller ancillary bleachers are adjacent to the main set and do not have handrails. The press box sits on top of the bleachers. The bleachers do not offer any shade, so remember to bring sunscreen for day games. A medium-thick net guards the seating area, protecting fans from foul balls.
The infield dirt is clay with a polymer additive that repels water. It requires no watering and maintains a consistent playing surface year-round.
The outfield is pleasantly treelined. You can see Presley Askew Field (baseball) through the trees. The stadium flies other C*USA school flags along the outfield wall.
The music is a tad loud but mostly played just between innings. The music person sometimes plays music at the same time the PA announces the players; fans cannot hear who’s coming to the pitcher’s circle or on deck. They should take lessons from their women’s basketball counterparts.
Neighborhood 4
The NM State Softball Complex is near the other on-campus NM State Athletic fields in Las Cruces, NM. Plenty of restaurants and hotels are within 1 – 2 miles of the arena.
Ten or more restaurants (including fast food) are along University Ave from I-10 to the arena: I-Hop, Burger King, Panda Express, and Chick-fil-A. The Game Sports Bar and Grill is a decent pregame place to visit for a beer and a bite. Weck’s, an NM breakfast/lunch chain, is a worthwhile visit before an afternoon game.
Other things to see and do when visiting Las Cruces include the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum about three miles from the stadium. The Museum of Science and Nature or the Las Cruces Railroad Museum may also be worth a visit, depending on your interests. Of course, a visit to see the world’s largest chile pepper may be in order, too!
Plenty of hotels are near the university. The closest are the Hilton Garden Inn Las Cruces, Comfort Suites University, and Sleep Inn University. A whole slew more is within two–three miles of the complex.
Other sports in the area are the Aggies baseball team and the men’s basketball team. A trip to El Paso, TX (a 45-minute drive) will take you to the El Paso Chihuahuas, AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres.
Fans 3
The fans in attendance are extremely encouraging to the players. Average attendance is generally over 600 fans. For the Troy Cox Classic game, a great many visiting fans were in the stands.
Access 3
The softball stadium is near the rest of the university’s athletic fields, south of the Pan American Center. Getting to the stadium is an easy drive off I-10. Free parking is in front of the stadium. Handicapped parking is available, as is a ramp to the bleachers and a few areas for wheelchairs.
Las Cruces does have a bus stop (Aggie Green), but it looks operational only M – F, 7am – 6pm, so it may not be suitable when attending late afternoon/evening or weekend softball games. Las Cruces Airport is 12+ miles from the university.
The ticket office is a separate building with polite staff manning the booths.
I didn’t notice any rules about a bag policy. Your best bet is use a clear stadium bag 12” x 6” x 12” or a small clutch.
Clean, accessible restrooms with plenty of stalls are near the ticket booth.
Return on Investment 4
The cost of attending an Aggies softball game at NM State is a sports dollar value. It is $7 for a single game. The Troy Cox Classic costs $20 for the entire tournament (10 games), $7 for a single game, but $10 for the game against Nebraska. Kids under 12 get in free.
They don’t charge for parking, and even the concession prices are not out of this world.
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Extras 2
The stadium proudly displays the Ross Kremer Wall of Honor which honors outstanding Aggies softball players and team accomplishments.
The NM State Softball team is entering its 50th season in 2024 with 1,144 wins and a dominant reputation. The team has brought ten championships home to Las Cruces.
Final Thoughts
Watching a reputable softball team in an attractive stadium is an enjoyable few hours of entertainment on a spring afternoon.