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GOSHEN — The grand opening for the new Goshen High School Baseball-Softball Complex happened Saturday, April 19.
While it drizzled during the 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony and 11 a.m. game-time temperatures started in the upper 40’s before the sun peeked out, the enthusiasm was not dampened for the side-by-side lighted and turfed baseball and softball fields and associated amenities located behind Prairie View Elementary School on Regent Street.
“This is an exciting moment for our student-athletes and the entire Goshen community,” Goshen High School Principal Cathy DeMeyer said. “This project came to life through the collective support of many in our community who believed in this vision.
“We couldn’t be prouder to unveil this top-tier facility.”
Said Goshen athletic director Jim Pickard, “Seeing our RedHawks step on this facility for the first time is incredibly rewarding. I would also like to thank everyone who played a part and role in getting this together.”
Goshen is to host an IHSAA Class 4A sectional for softball in 2025 and baseball in 2026.
The new place has locker rooms, coach’s offices and batting cages for both baseball and softball.
The Goshen Community Schools (GCS) board is Bradd Weddell (president), Keith Goodman (vice president), Ryan Glick (secretary), Jose Elizalde, Mario Garber, Brandon Miller and Roger Nafziger.
Jim DuBois is GCS Superintendent, Dr. Alan Metcalfe Associate Superintendent, Tracey Noe Assistant Superintendent and Dr. Bob Evans Chief Financial Officer.
Barton Coe Vilamaa Architects & Engineers, Weigand Construction and several Goshen city agencies have also played a part in making the new place a reality.
For many years, Goshen staged varsity baseball at Phend Field across the street from the high school and softball on city property at Shanklin Park.
At the new locale, the baseball diamond has dimensions with 370 feet to center field and 330 feet down each foul line. There is much more foul territory and distance between home plate and the backstop than at Phend Field.
The grand opening was postponed because of inclement weather followed by spring break. The first games at the complex were March 26 for softball and April 3 for baseball.
“I’ve learned that it really doesn’t play as big as we thought,” sixth-year RedHawks head baseball coach J.J. DuBois said. “Balls travel partially because of the wind and more space (at the new complex).
“Phend really did kill balls. Fly balls would look like they were hit harder and end up being routine. Here the ball will jump.”
What about the farther distance to the backstop?
“We tell base runners to look for two bases on a passed ball. Their job is to pick me up (in the third base coach’s box).”
DuBois has also noticed the new complex being better for spectators.
“My wife (Holly) came out to watch our games and she said you can see the whole field from every seat,” said DuBois. “There’s more open space for our kids to run around. It’s just a way better experience for them.
“We’ve got a better sound system and a full concession stand. You actually feel like you’re at a ballpark. It’s nothing against Phend, it was old, run down and needed to be renovated.”
By the end of Saturday’s first baseball game, the parking lot was full and there were plenty of people in each set of stands.
“I love Phend Field,” senior baseball player Kyan Miller said. “I played there for the last three years. But when we heard about this resource we couldn’t wait to play there.
“I’m a pitcher so having a mound where you don’t have to dig out holes is nice. You don’t get bad hops off the dirt or grass.”
Said Goshen junior baseballer Bryson Wilson, “Phend Field is really run down. In the outfield, there were a whole bunch of patches and holes. (The new field) is really flat and it makes everything much easier.”
Softball now has a somewhat bigger playing surface with the fence 225 both to center and down the lines.
Russ Claxton is in his first season as RedHawks head softball coach.
“The biggest thing with this field in the wind,” Claxton said. “The wind is always a major factor.
“It definitely knocks down balls that you think are going to be monster shots.”
Balls travel swiftly on the turf.
“We have a great coaching staff that helps out the outfielders,” Claxton said. “We work on that stuff every time we have practice.”
Abe Rolon is Goshen softball’s pitching coach.
“(On a turf field) you don’t have anything to push off,” Rolon said. “I would like to have the pitcher’s plate a little higher than what it is right now.”
Said RedHawks senior softball player Janae Schrock, “At least the field doesn’t flood anymore. Everything is great here. It’s so much better than what we’ve had.
“I think we definitely have a bigger fan base. People really didn’t want to go to Shanklin. Now when we play games the bleachers are full.”
Ceremonial first pitches were thrown Saturday by former GHS baseball coach Ken Mirer (baseball) and former Goshen schools employee and community sports supporter Paula Meyers (softball).
Umpires were Adam Davis and Sean Behensky for baseball and Bernie Haskins and Damen Ullery for softball.
In baseball, Goshen (2-3) split a doubleheader with LaPorte (3-8), winning 13-2 in five innings and losing 3-2.
In softball, Goshen (2-3) lost 9-5 to Fairfield (5-3).
Continue reading...
While it drizzled during the 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony and 11 a.m. game-time temperatures started in the upper 40’s before the sun peeked out, the enthusiasm was not dampened for the side-by-side lighted and turfed baseball and softball fields and associated amenities located behind Prairie View Elementary School on Regent Street.
“This is an exciting moment for our student-athletes and the entire Goshen community,” Goshen High School Principal Cathy DeMeyer said. “This project came to life through the collective support of many in our community who believed in this vision.
“We couldn’t be prouder to unveil this top-tier facility.”
Said Goshen athletic director Jim Pickard, “Seeing our RedHawks step on this facility for the first time is incredibly rewarding. I would also like to thank everyone who played a part and role in getting this together.”
Goshen is to host an IHSAA Class 4A sectional for softball in 2025 and baseball in 2026.
The new place has locker rooms, coach’s offices and batting cages for both baseball and softball.
The Goshen Community Schools (GCS) board is Bradd Weddell (president), Keith Goodman (vice president), Ryan Glick (secretary), Jose Elizalde, Mario Garber, Brandon Miller and Roger Nafziger.
Jim DuBois is GCS Superintendent, Dr. Alan Metcalfe Associate Superintendent, Tracey Noe Assistant Superintendent and Dr. Bob Evans Chief Financial Officer.
Barton Coe Vilamaa Architects & Engineers, Weigand Construction and several Goshen city agencies have also played a part in making the new place a reality.
For many years, Goshen staged varsity baseball at Phend Field across the street from the high school and softball on city property at Shanklin Park.
At the new locale, the baseball diamond has dimensions with 370 feet to center field and 330 feet down each foul line. There is much more foul territory and distance between home plate and the backstop than at Phend Field.
The grand opening was postponed because of inclement weather followed by spring break. The first games at the complex were March 26 for softball and April 3 for baseball.
“I’ve learned that it really doesn’t play as big as we thought,” sixth-year RedHawks head baseball coach J.J. DuBois said. “Balls travel partially because of the wind and more space (at the new complex).
“Phend really did kill balls. Fly balls would look like they were hit harder and end up being routine. Here the ball will jump.”
What about the farther distance to the backstop?
“We tell base runners to look for two bases on a passed ball. Their job is to pick me up (in the third base coach’s box).”
DuBois has also noticed the new complex being better for spectators.
“My wife (Holly) came out to watch our games and she said you can see the whole field from every seat,” said DuBois. “There’s more open space for our kids to run around. It’s just a way better experience for them.
“We’ve got a better sound system and a full concession stand. You actually feel like you’re at a ballpark. It’s nothing against Phend, it was old, run down and needed to be renovated.”
By the end of Saturday’s first baseball game, the parking lot was full and there were plenty of people in each set of stands.
“I love Phend Field,” senior baseball player Kyan Miller said. “I played there for the last three years. But when we heard about this resource we couldn’t wait to play there.
“I’m a pitcher so having a mound where you don’t have to dig out holes is nice. You don’t get bad hops off the dirt or grass.”
Said Goshen junior baseballer Bryson Wilson, “Phend Field is really run down. In the outfield, there were a whole bunch of patches and holes. (The new field) is really flat and it makes everything much easier.”
Softball now has a somewhat bigger playing surface with the fence 225 both to center and down the lines.
Russ Claxton is in his first season as RedHawks head softball coach.
“The biggest thing with this field in the wind,” Claxton said. “The wind is always a major factor.
“It definitely knocks down balls that you think are going to be monster shots.”
Balls travel swiftly on the turf.
“We have a great coaching staff that helps out the outfielders,” Claxton said. “We work on that stuff every time we have practice.”
Abe Rolon is Goshen softball’s pitching coach.
“(On a turf field) you don’t have anything to push off,” Rolon said. “I would like to have the pitcher’s plate a little higher than what it is right now.”
Said RedHawks senior softball player Janae Schrock, “At least the field doesn’t flood anymore. Everything is great here. It’s so much better than what we’ve had.
“I think we definitely have a bigger fan base. People really didn’t want to go to Shanklin. Now when we play games the bleachers are full.”
Ceremonial first pitches were thrown Saturday by former GHS baseball coach Ken Mirer (baseball) and former Goshen schools employee and community sports supporter Paula Meyers (softball).
Umpires were Adam Davis and Sean Behensky for baseball and Bernie Haskins and Damen Ullery for softball.
In baseball, Goshen (2-3) split a doubleheader with LaPorte (3-8), winning 13-2 in five innings and losing 3-2.
In softball, Goshen (2-3) lost 9-5 to Fairfield (5-3).
Continue reading...
