Tusculum College Baseball Stadium

(Construction Photo Gallery)

Artist Rendering of Pioneer Park

Since 1998, Tusculum College has experienced a resurgance in the area of campus facilities with the renovation of the football and soccer stadium, the construction of Alpine Arena and the building of TC's new state-of-the-art indoor practice facility, which opened its doors in 2001.

But the newest facility off the drawing board is the new Tusculum College baseball stadium which opened to play in 2002. The new home of Pioneer baseball was constructed next to Pioneer Field on the former site of the TC softball complex, which has been moved to the former baseball facility.

Besides serving as the baseball home of the Pioneers, it will also be the home of the Greeneville Astros, the Appalachian League (Rookie League) affiliate of the Houston Astros. The Astros will begin play in the facility in the summer of 2004.

The new baseball stadium features seating for 2,500 spectators and is one of the best NCAA Division II facilities in the country. It is a pitcher friendly ballpark with the anticipated dimensions measuring 330 feet down the lines, 375 feet to the power alleys and 400 feet to center field.

Pioneer Park Firsts
Pitch: Justin Clark to Scott Reames vs. Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02
Win: Tusculum 13, Virginia-Wise 4 (2/17/02)
Hit: Shaun Trent (Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02)
TC Hit: Jose’Martinez vs. Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02
Run Scored: Steve Tyler (Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02)
TC Run Scored: David McMahon vs. Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02
Stolen Base: David McMahon vs. Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02
Home Run: Josh Scarborough (Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02)
TC Home Run: Vince Stonesifer vs. King, 2/21/02
Double: Steve Tyler (Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02)
TC Double: Matt Riggs vs. Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02
Triple: Trevor Adams vs. Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02
Pitching Win: Justin Clark vs. Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02
Complete Game Pitched: Justin Clark vs. Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02
Strikeout: Jay McGowen by Justin Clark vs. Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02
Save: Chap Morris vs. King, 2/21/02
Hit By Pitch: Jose’ Martinez vs. Virginia-Wise, 2/17/02
Sacrifice Fly: David McMahon vs. Wingate, 2/23/02

The stadium project, designed by Fisher & Associates, will include lighting, concession areas, restrooms and two clubhouses (home and visitor). A “light-frame” steel canopy will cover half of the seating area and provided a covered concourse. Press box, office space and umpire dressing rooms are also planned for the facility.

The entire project will be faced with brick and limestone, giving the project a “retro” look to the baseball stadiums built in the 1930s and 40’s. The use of individual, slat-back seating similar to that used at Baltimore’s Camden Yards will be used.

In 2002, installation of the bermuda grass playing surface was done by Valley Crest, one of the renowned athletic playing field installers in the nation. Valley Crest's client list includes: Pacific Bell Park (San Francisco Giants), Olympic Stadium (Atlanta for the Centennial Olympic Games in 1996), Vanderbilt University, Stanford University and Smokies Park (Tennessee Smokies). The playing surface features a state-of-the-art drainage and irrigation system. Also included in the construction are in-ground dugouts, a warning track, bullpens, batting cages and hitting stations.

The entire project is expected to be completed in 2005.