baseball

Meeting to Discuss $4 Million Baseball Field Revamp

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington County Parks Department will be holding a meeting next week to discuss a proposed $3-4 million renovation to one of the baseball fields at Barcroft Park.

George Washington University, which uses Barcroft as the home field for its baseball team, is proposing to fully-fund a number of enhancements to the field, including artificial turf, dugouts, new restrooms, new stadium seating, a press box, a bullpen and concession stands. The field’s existing dark sky lighting would not be changed.

The parks department will discuss the proposed changes with the community at a public meeting on Tuesday, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting is being held at the Fairlington Community Center (3308 S. Stafford Street), in room 118.

The County Board is expected to consider the renovation proposal at its Sept. 17 meeting. If approved, construction is expected to begin this fall and be complete by March 2012.

The university has played at Barcroft for nearly 20 years, under an arrangement that made GW responsible for some of the field’s maintenance. Under the proposal, GW will continue to pay a portion of the maintenance costs, in addition to the full cost of the renovations. The field’s usage by the baseball team will remain the same.

Arlington and GWU to Discuss Barcroft Enhancements

By ARLnow.com

Improvements could be coming to the main baseball field at Barcroft Park.

The Arlington County Parks Department is in talks with George Washington University, which uses the field for its baseball team’s home games, to fund new turf and other amenities, like restrooms, concession stands, a press box and a scoreboard. Upgrades to the existing field lights are not part of the discussion, the parks department said.

In exchange for use of the field, GWU currently is responsible for its routine maintenance, upkeep and improvements.

“Support from GWU to enhance the field is consistent with the Barcroft Park Master Plan, approved by the County Board in 1999,” the parks department said in a statement. “The County’s Sports Commission has been interested in securing GWU’s financial support for the renovation and upgrade of this field for many years and will be part of the process to develop the specifics of any partnership with GWU. This and similar partnerships allow the County to draw on non-tax dollars to upkeep and renovate community amenities.”

A public forum will be held next week to discuss the plan. The meeting will be held at the Fairlington Community Center (3308 S. Stafford Street) on Wednesday, June 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Arlington Youth Baseball Team Claims District Title

By ARLnow.com

The 13-year-old Arlington Babe Ruth All-Star Baseball Team won their league’s district tournament Monday night. They will now advance to the Babe Ruth League state championship, to be held later this month in Victoria, Va.

The Arlington team bounced back from a 1-11 loss against Vienna, beating the same Vienna team 10-4 to capture the district title.

“We were able to re-focus and win the game with strong pitching, great defense, and some timely hits and bunts,” coach Greg Wigton said. “We scored 8 runs in the 4th inning, and added 2 more in the 7th.”

The team’s first game in the state tournament will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 23.

The team roster, after the jump.

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Arlington’s Hometown Baseball Team

By ARLnow.com

You may not know it, but Arlington is the defacto home of a college baseball team that’s currently in first place in its conference.

For the past 20 years or so, the George Washington University baseball team has played their home games at Barcroft Park.

Situated on Four Mile Run, just up the road from Shirlington, the quiet park seems a world away from GW’s Foggy Bottom campus. But about ten times a month in the spring, the park’s humble baseball diamond plays host to two NCAA Division I baseball teams and, occasionally, some pro scouts.

Under an agreement with the parks department, the team is responsible for much of the field’s game day maintenance. Hosing off the infield dirt, dragging nets and swinging rakes — the players and coaches are their own groundskeepers. It’s a notion that other teams scoff at.

As reported by the GW Hatchet newspaper this week, the team and the university has been in negotiations with Arlington County to renovate the park. But, the Hatchet’s Dan Greene notes, there’s been little progress in the talks. Unsurprising, considering the state of the county’s budget.

At 3:00 this afternoon, the GW team will face cross-town rival George Mason at Barcroft Park. They’ll be looking to avenge a close, extra-inning loss to Mason just two weeks ago.

GW is in first place in the Atlantic 10, with a conference record of 6-0 and an overall record of 16-11.

Alexander Chamandy contributed to this post.