MEADVILLE, Pa. -- The baseball program at Allegheny College has called the same field home since the 1940s, with numerous renovations taking place along the way to build it into one of the area's premier baseball facilities. None will be larger than the latest improvements that have begun.
This winter, work has commenced on the first of three phases of modernization. As part of phase one, the natural infield is being replaced by a state-of-the-art artificial turf surface, while new dugouts and a new backstop have been erected. Phase two will focus on the grandstands, pressbox, scoreboard, and batting cages, while phase three will focus solely on replacing the natural grass outfield with artificial turf to match the infield.
Once the current phase is completed this spring, Allegheny will dedicate the field in honor of Robert M. Garbark '32. The alumnus, former coach, and professional athlete was instrumental in the return of the sport to the College in the 1940s and helmed the program for 32 years.
"We have a passionate and dedicated group of alumni that were behind making this renovation possible, many of which played for the legendary Bob Garbark," said Bill Ross, director of athletics and recreation. "Through the efforts of head coach
Brandon Crum, our Office of Institutional Advancement, our fundraising captains, and generous alumni and friends, we were able to secure this important upgrade entirely by fundraised dollars."
Construction is scheduled to be completed in advance of the Gators' 2023 home opener, a non-conference doubleheader against Houghton College, on Saturday, March 18, beginning at 12:00 p.m.
