By Mia Gallagher · Sports Editor
After over 60 years of play on R. Jack Behringer Field, the college’s baseball program prepares to enter a new era as construction on William C. Stewart Baseball Field will start later this fall, according to the college’s Operations Department.
The field will be on college property along Pinchalong Road and will feature amenities like a turf infield and outfield, lighting, parking and added spectator seating, according to the college’s Impact 150 campaign webpage.
“The baseball field project will be impactful for many reasons. Most importantly, it will celebrate former trustee of the college and baseball standout Bill Stewart. He is among the best people I have ever been blessed to know, and his gift and passion for baseball made this possible. Our only regret is that he unfortunately passed away last summer, so he won’t be there to throw out the first pitch,” Athletic Director Todd Gibson said.
Per Vice President of Operations Susan Grimm, construction will finish in early spring, pending permit approval and weather conditions. Once Operations and its construc[tion partners – ELA Sports, Fieldturf and PSS Fields – break ground, they will have to move quickly to finish the project before the baseball season begins.
“The background work on the project has already started. We are currently submitting the supporting permit work for review. Once the project has been approved by the Mercer County Conservation District, Pine Township and Grove City Borough, we will begin the physical part of the project, weather depending. Depending on the length of permit review and the type of winter we have, there is a possibility that we could finish by April 1 with at least the field,” Grimm said.
This project – a $3 million investment made possible by the college’s Impact 150 campaign – is the first of three athletics expansion efforts the college plans to undertake, and it will provide the reigning PAC champion Wolverines with an upgraded facility better suited to the program’s needs, per the Impact 150 webpage.
“This will be among the best baseball facilities in the region and will allow for better practices and games,” Gibson said. Further, it will result in less cancellations and rescheduling of games, which will aid students and faculty when dealing with missed classes.
“From a day-to-day basis, this field will allow us to practice and play baseball with little worry about rain, and other weather conditions that have left the current (original field from the 1950s) unplayable on a regular basis. When the field is not in use, it will be another turf area that can be used for IM sports, local high school games and many other uses.”
While a general air of anticipation and excitement currently surrounds this project, the uncertainty it has brought to the upper campus parking situation still looms large. Until construction officially begins, its full impact is unknown.
“We don’t have an exact number of parking spots that will be taken; however, part of the project will include paving the parking lot that was used during the building of Smith Hall (also on Madison Avenue),” Grimm said.
According to Grimm, Operations and Campus Safety are closely watching the situation and plan to keep students informed about any impactful changes that may arise.
For more information on the Impact 150 campaign, visit the fundraiser’s website (gcc.edu/impact150).
“We look forward to Stewart Field being an attractive location for students, fans and community members to congregate for years to come,” Gibson said.
