WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Lycoming College and the City of Williamsport agreed upon a 25-year lease that has allowed the Lycoming College baseball team to build a new collegiate field in Brandon Park, located just north of campus, as construction got underway at the field earlier this month.
 
The city council approved the initial 25-year lease, which will give the Warriors a home field in Brandon Park through at least 2048, with options for additional 10-year extensions at the end of each extension upon mutual agreement from the College and the city.
 
The field renovates and enhances the existing senior field at Brandon Park, which was once home of the Lycoming College baseball team in the 50s before it moved into Bowman Field.
 
"The Brandon Park project is one of the more significant commitments in the history of Lycoming athletics in many aspects," Director of Athletics Mike Clark '93 said. "We are making a significant commitment to ensure the success of the baseball program, but also making a significant commitment to the athletic department. This project will also bind the men's and women's tennis program to Brandon Park and it creates a nice flow from the campus to Brandon Park to the Shangraw Athletic Complex on the corner of Mulberry and Union two blocks north of the baseball field. This project shows our continued commitment to the city, an important partnership that should ensure that Brandon Park remains 'the crown jewel of Williamsport.'"
 
The baseball field will be completely redone, expanding dimensions to a collegiate-sized field with a 325-370-390-370-325 dimensions from right to left field. Field turf will be installed for the playing surface along with netting, fencing, dugouts and a scoreboard as part one of the phased project, with stands, a press box, bathrooms and lighting to follow in later phases.
 
Batting cages and bullpens are also part of the initial investment, as the field at Brandon Park will instantly become ideal for a Division III baseball team competing in Pennsylvania.
 
The College has committed to investing $2.5 million capital in the ball field and completion of the first phase of the project is expected to be completed for the spring 2024 season. Lycoming has worked with Derck & Edson architecture firm to ensure the field enhances and preserves Brandon Park's landscape, ensuring an enjoyable experience for fans and athletes at the park.
 
"This project affords our student-athletes the opportunity to have a first-class college baseball experience and puts Lycoming baseball on the map both regionally and nationally," third-year Lycoming baseball head coach Rick Oliveri said. "The turf makes it possible for our coaches to maximize development of each player and the team as a unit, getting more time outside for practice and playing more home games early in the season. This field, combined with the academic reputation of the college, will make Lycoming baseball a top destination for the best and brightest prospective student-athletes."