Radford Baseball Stadium

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]

Williams Field at Carter Memorial Stadium
Former namesRadford Baseball Field (1986-2011)
Radford Baseball Stadium (2011-2017)
LocationUniversity Drive, Radford, Virginia, United States
Coordinates37.136911°N 80.539165°W / 37.136911; -80.539165
OwnerRadford University
OperatorRadford University
Capacity800 (seated), plus grass berm down left field line
Record attendance1,373 (April 19, 2011)
Field sizeLeft field: 330 ft
Left center field: 370 ft
Center field: 400 ft
Right center field: 370 ft
Right field: 330 ft
SurfaceTuckahoe bluegrass
ScoreboardDaktronics Videoboard with attached Electronic Scoreboard
Construction
Opened1986
Renovated2009, 2011
Construction costUSD$800,000 (2011 renovations)
Project managerCarolina Green Corp. Athletic Field Construction (2009 field facelift)
General contractorBranch & 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

The 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

References
  1. "Radford University Baseball Stadium". RU Highlanders. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  2. "Radford University Highlanders: Joe Raccuia Baseball Camps". College Baseball Camps. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  3. "VHSL Baseball Championship Info". Virginia High School League. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  4. "Staff Directory: Joe Raccuia". RU Highlanders. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  5. Altizer, Chuck (December 10, 2010). "RU to Transform Baseball Stadium". The Roanoke Times Online. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  6. "Building on Success at Radford University - Baseball Field Bleachers Additions". News. Branch & Associates, Inc. April 22, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  7. Halberg, Matt (February 8, 2011). "RU Baseball Builds for Future". The Tartan. Radford University. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25.
  8. "Wednesday's Baseball Game Against Longwood Washed Out". RU Highlanders. March 30, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  9. "Baseball Contest Between Radford an VMI to Resume Saturday at 1 PM". RU Highlanders. April 8, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  10. "Radford Baseball Set for Stadium Opening, VMI Series". RU Highlanders. April 7, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-08-25. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  11. "NO. 1 VIRGINIA BEATS RADFORD BASEBALL 12-0". Radford University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  12. "Radford Baseball to Hold Naming Ceremony April 29". Radford Athletics. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
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