Report: New contract, Baum improvements for Van Horn

Based on a report from Matt Jones at WholeHogSports.com, Dave Van Horn will likely be getting a new contract and Baum Stadium will see some changes in the near future.

According to the story, preliminary building plans are for an estimated 35,000 to 40,000-square foot facility that would include a new team clubhouse, new weight room and new coaches’ offices.

It would also include a locker area for pro players who train at the UA in the off-season and a museum area to house Arkansas’ baseball trophies, which is growing at a rapid clip under Van Horn.

Athletics director Hunter Yurachek said the multi-story facility, which might be known as the Baseball Performance Center, would likely be located beyond the outfield wall in right field, on the southwest side of the stadium grounds.

The estimated price would be $15-20 million and if all goes well it could be constructed sometime in 2020.

There are more changes that would even include the Hogs possibly switching to the first base dugout to connect with the proposed facility on the southwest side of the stadium.

In addition, they are looking at adding additional luxury suites, which reportedly Razorback Foundation head Scott Varady says has a waiting list of 43 people.

Another story by Jones at WholeHogSports.com said Yurachek is also looking at extending Van Horn’s existing contract, which is for $775,000 a year, but with over $100,000 in bonuses just this year, along with two months salary as a bonus for reaching the College World Series will put him around $1 million for this season.

No one wants Van Horn going anywhere.

“I like to reward coaches for success and have that built into their contract,” Yurachek said. “A five-year contract may become a seven- or eight-year contract if you hit certain benchmarks that automatically roll your contract over.”

The story also mentioned Yurachek being “pretty close” to getting a new deal finalized with softball coach Courtney Deifel, who took the Hogs to their first Super Regional this past season.