02-01-03
Softball Field Wins National Field of the Year East Region Honor
The Penn State Behrend softball field is the recipient of this years NFCA/Turface Maintenance and National Field of the Year awards for the eastern region of the United States.
"We feel honored to have been chosen one of eight regional award winners," said second-year head coach Kellie Diehl. "It is definitely one of the best fields I have ever played or coached on, as I have many opposing coaches say the same thing. I would also like to mention that we have excellent people that keep the field in great shape. Penn State Behrend's field won this award that includes all Divisions of the NCAA, and high schools in the Eastern part of the United States.
The college will be entering is second season on its new softball/baseball facility, which cost approximately $1,000,000. The complex includes bullpens for both the home and visiting teams, 70-foot dugouts with drinking fountains in each, batting cages, bullpens, scoreboards, a full warning track, permanent fences and a built-in irrigation system. There is also a fully enclosed concession stand and press box.
The field is maintained by Tom Guth, Hank Chalupcezynski, Tom Gonzales and Dan Arnold of the school's maintenance department.
The Behrend Lions open the 2003 season in spring training in Daytona Beach, Florida at the Rebel games on March 10. The home season begins on March 25, when Westminster comes to Erie for a 3:00 p.m. double-header.