Penn College baseball, softball teams going ‘home’
Published 01.31.2021
News
Athletics
Wildcat Weekly
The latest edition of Wildcat Weekly, the recap of sports news shared with more than 100 news outlets and student-athletes' hometown newspapers throughout each semester, amplifies the previously announced development for Pennsylvania College of Technology's baseball and softball teams.
Home, sweet home.
In most recent years, Penn College baseball and softball players have trekked a mile or so west from the campus to play their home games at either Bowman Field or Logue Field (baseball) or Elm Park (softball).
That will end in 2022, thanks to a partnership with the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, through its subsidiary, Williamsport Ballpark Inc., that calls for the construction of a synthetic turf field complex next to the main campus on a 28-acre tract north of Interstate 180, between Maynard and Rose streets. Once completed, the complex will feature six youth baseball/softball fields – one of which can be converted to a collegiate baseball practice field – and one collegiate baseball game field, as well as batting cages. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring, with Penn College expected to play its first games at the site a little more than a year from now.
“The Chamber is excited to bring this complex to the community and to have a partner like Penn College utilize it for its baseball and softball teams,” said Jason Fink, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. “The challenges of playing a full spring season for those sports will be mitigated by turf fields and allow Penn College to complete a full season.” The collegiate baseball field will be 400 feet to center field and the softball field 220 feet to center. Both will feature dugouts, a scoreboard, bullpens, lights and a press box. An adjacent youth field will have the capability of moving its outfield fences to collegiate dimensions to be used as a practice field.
“Having our home field literally a foul ball away from our campus is extremely exciting, and to have a complex that student-athletes can be proud of is so important to a collegiate program,” baseball coach Chris Howard said. “What's equally exciting is now our student body will be able to make the short walk from campus and watch Wildcat baseball!”
“This facility is going to be a tremendous asset for our program,” softball coach Angie Hunley said. “This space will allow us to host many more games and practices that, during spring months, are often canceled due to rainy, wet conditions. The convenience of a location that is within walking distance for student-athletes is a game-changer!”
“We are delighted for this opportunity to partner with the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and provide a first-class venue for our Wildcat baseball and softball teams to compete and practice,” college President Davie Jane Gilmour said. “This athletic complex will be a boon not just to the college but to the entire Greater Williamsport community, and its proximity to our main campus is a bonus for students.”
For more about NEAC, visit the conference website.
For more information, visit the Wildcat Athletics website.
Home, sweet home.
In most recent years, Penn College baseball and softball players have trekked a mile or so west from the campus to play their home games at either Bowman Field or Logue Field (baseball) or Elm Park (softball).
That will end in 2022, thanks to a partnership with the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, through its subsidiary, Williamsport Ballpark Inc., that calls for the construction of a synthetic turf field complex next to the main campus on a 28-acre tract north of Interstate 180, between Maynard and Rose streets. Once completed, the complex will feature six youth baseball/softball fields – one of which can be converted to a collegiate baseball practice field – and one collegiate baseball game field, as well as batting cages. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring, with Penn College expected to play its first games at the site a little more than a year from now.
“The Chamber is excited to bring this complex to the community and to have a partner like Penn College utilize it for its baseball and softball teams,” said Jason Fink, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. “The challenges of playing a full spring season for those sports will be mitigated by turf fields and allow Penn College to complete a full season.” The collegiate baseball field will be 400 feet to center field and the softball field 220 feet to center. Both will feature dugouts, a scoreboard, bullpens, lights and a press box. An adjacent youth field will have the capability of moving its outfield fences to collegiate dimensions to be used as a practice field.
“Having our home field literally a foul ball away from our campus is extremely exciting, and to have a complex that student-athletes can be proud of is so important to a collegiate program,” baseball coach Chris Howard said. “What's equally exciting is now our student body will be able to make the short walk from campus and watch Wildcat baseball!”
“This facility is going to be a tremendous asset for our program,” softball coach Angie Hunley said. “This space will allow us to host many more games and practices that, during spring months, are often canceled due to rainy, wet conditions. The convenience of a location that is within walking distance for student-athletes is a game-changer!”
“We are delighted for this opportunity to partner with the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and provide a first-class venue for our Wildcat baseball and softball teams to compete and practice,” college President Davie Jane Gilmour said. “This athletic complex will be a boon not just to the college but to the entire Greater Williamsport community, and its proximity to our main campus is a bonus for students.”
For more about NEAC, visit the conference website.
For more information, visit the Wildcat Athletics website.
No. 6