For local baseball fans, the game could be a little more comfortable in time for the 2010 season.

Fort Hays State University has plans to obtain 200 bleacher seats for Larks Park, which will replace some of the flat bleachers.

The plans were announced at Thursday's Hays City Commission work session. Curtis Hammeke, FHSU's athletic director, said the seats could be ordered as early as today and installed by next week.

"I think once it's said and done, it's my sense that we'll really like this addition to the park," Hammeke said.

Besides improving park aesthetics, Hammeke said the new seating will help reduce glare for players in the outfield and middle infield. The university will pay initial costs of about $5,700, but then intends to solicit sponsors for the chairs, which cost $26 each.

The initial phase of 200 chairs will be in the center section of bleachers from the third row up to the press box, he said. It's possible more seats will be added in the future.

FHSU also has agreed to replace the park's existing chain-link backstop with netting. Hammeke said funding currently might not be sufficient for the project, but it will be finished by next year.

* KALEY CONNER, HDN