Williams Field at Carter Memorial Stadium is a baseball venue on the campus of Radford University in Radford, Virginia, United States. It is home to the Radford Highlanders of the NCAA Division I Big South Conference. The field opened in 1986 and underwent extensive renovations in 2011. Its capacity is 800 spectators, with a grass area down the left field line allowing for overflow crowds.[1]
 | |
| Former names | Radford Baseball Field (1986-2011) Radford Baseball Stadium (2011-2017) |
|---|---|
| Location | University Drive, Radford, Virginia, United States |
| Coordinates | 37°08′13″N 80°32′21″W / 37.136911°N 80.539165°W |
| Owner | Radford University |
| Operator | Radford University |
| Capacity | 800 (seated), plus grass berm down left field line |
| Record attendance | 1,373 (April 19, 2011) |
| Field size | Left field: 330 ft Left center field: 370 ft Center field: 400 ft Right center field: 370 ft Right field: 330 ft |
| Surface | Tuckahoe bluegrass |
| Scoreboard | Daktronics Videoboard with attached Electronic Scoreboard |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1986 |
| Renovated | 2009, 2011 |
| Construction cost | USD$800,000 (2011 renovations) |
| Project manager | Carolina Green Corp. Athletic Field Construction (2009 field facelift) |
| General contractor | Branch & Associates (2011 renovations) |
| Tenants | |
| Radford Highlanders baseball (1986-present) | |
Other uses of the stadium include baseball camps[2] and high school baseball tournaments.[3]
History
editThe facility opened in 1986.[1] In July 2007, Joe Raccuia assumed control of the program with plans for facility upgrades.[4]
Renovations beginning in 2008 led to reconstruction of the field.[1] In 2008, a new backstop was installed. Dugouts were enlarged and the playing surface improved in 2009.[5]
In 2011, the venue's name was changed from Radford Baseball Field to Radford Baseball Stadium, due to major renovations.[1] Branch and Associates, Inc. led a project to rebuild the stadium.[6] A seating structure with 800 chair-backed seats was added, in addition to a new concourse, press box, and PA system. New stadium lighting allowed night games to be played.[1] The construction project, which cost $800,000, was the first in Radford athletics history to use only private funding.[7]
Construction was completed during the 2011 season. The new stadium was officially opened for the program's first-ever home night game, a sold-out crowd on April 8, 2011 against VMI.[8][9][10] Radford set its attendance record just days later when an over-capacity crowd of 1,373 witnessed the top ranked Virginia Cavaliers play the Highlanders.[11]
The venue changed names to Williams Field at Carter Memorial Stadium in 2017. [12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "Radford University Baseball Stadium". RU Highlanders. Archived from the original on 2011-09-11. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ "Radford University Highlanders: Joe Raccuia Baseball Camps". College Baseball Camps. Archived from the original on 2012-03-21. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ "VHSL Baseball Championship Info". Virginia High School League. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ "Staff Directory: Joe Raccuia". RU Highlanders. Archived from the original on 2012-03-31. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ Altizer, Chuck (December 10, 2010). "RU to Transform Baseball Stadium". The Roanoke Times Online. Archived from the original on 2012-10-10. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ "Building on Success at Radford University - Baseball Field Bleachers Additions". News. Branch & Associates, Inc. April 22, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-09-11. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ Halberg, Matt (February 8, 2011). "RU Baseball Builds for Future". The Tartan. Radford University. Archived from the original on 2011-10-04.
- ^ "Wednesday's Baseball Game Against Longwood Washed Out". RU Highlanders. March 30, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-29. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ "Baseball Contest Between Radford an VMI to Resume Saturday at 1 PM". RU Highlanders. April 8, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-31. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ "Radford Baseball Set for Stadium Opening, VMI Series". RU Highlanders. April 7, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-29. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ "NO. 1 VIRGINIA BEATS RADFORD BASEBALL 12-0". Radford University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
- ^ "Radford Baseball to Hold Naming Ceremony April 29". Radford Athletics. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
External links
edit- April 8, 2011, Stadium Opener Photo Gallery at RU Highlanders