By:  Kevin Ruple

BEREA, Ohio  --  On Wednesday August 16, construction crews began tearing bulldozing the grass in the outfield at Fisher Field on the campus of Baldwin Wallace University.  When the entire project is completed, Fisher Field will be the first Ohio Athletic Conference baseball facility to be fully turfed, and it should be ready for the Yellow Jackets to utilize this fall for fall for some baseball workouts and other activities.

"We are extremely grateful to the BW alumni, administration, parents and friends who have contributed to the fundraising efforts to make this project a reality," said eighth-year Head Coach Brian Harrison, who led BW to its first-ever NCAA Division III World Series appearance in 2014. "This project benefits our current student-athletes and is a great boost to our recruiting efforts.

"We have already seen a great benefit with just the infield being turfed," said a smiling Harrison. "Almost every day, from sun up to sun down, we have youth and club teams playing baseball at Fisher Field.  It is a great outreach situation that will pay dividends to the University and our baseball program for many, many years to come."

A combined fundraising effort from alumni, the administration and friends of BW baseball made this effort possible.  We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming Yellow Jacket home game.

Please come and check out the Fisher Field project. In addition to Fisher Field, take a look at the new all-turf BW Softball facility being completed at the Roehm Fields on Bagley Road, the new video scoreboard inside The George Finnie Stadium and the three-year old Bob Packard Athletic Center.

"Combined, we feel that we have amongst the finest physical plant and facilities in the OAC and among Division III institutions," said BW Director of Athletics Kris A. Diaz.  "From the beginning with Finnie Stadium, renovations at the Lou Higgins Center, Ursprung Gymnasium, the BW Natatorium and the "Pop" Collins Tennis Complex, the new state-of-the-art Bob Packard Athletic Center to Fisher Field and the Roehm Softball Complex, our student-athletes have great facilities for preparation, practice and contests. Add to that the close proximity of the Cleveland Metroparks system, the Stonebrook Golf Academy and our home course at the Columbia Hills Country Club, our student-athletes have an advantage. 

"We'd love to have you on our campus to see all of the great things that are happening at BW!"