Favorite Fastpitch Field 2008
This category is dedicated to recognizing the great softball complexes you’ve competed at.
Tell us about your favorite fastpitch softball field or complex.
- What is it called?
- What state is it in?
- What do you like most about it?
Your response to these questions will give you an entry into the drawing for the “Favorite Fastpitch Field” prize pack which includes:
- 1-year Access to the Online Vision Training Program by Slow the Game Down (valued at $99.95)
- 1-month Membership at Hanson’s Online Mental Training Gym ($19.95 value)
- 1-year Subscription to Softball Today Magazine ($20 value)
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Total Prize Pack Value: $139.90
ANY valid response or contribution to this category (including comments about what other’s have posted or additional comments for your input on additional fields/complexes) will count as an entry to the drawing for this category. Please use a valid and correctly spelled e-mail address so that we can contact you if you are chosen as the winner for this category.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:20 am
University of Michigan new field what a great stadium feel and no bad seats. I love fields with red clay.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I truly love the Hall of Fame stadium in OKC. I go and watch teams play there as often as I can. Most of the teams always have something positive to say about the fields and the facility.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I think playing at the Walt Disney World Wide World of Sports Complex would be awesome!! Not only do you get to play in a really cool stadium, but you can go to any of the Disney parks too!
August 25th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Playing at Walt Disney World is awesome. It can rain for a period of time and believe it or not the fields are ready to go within a half hour. The kids just loved playing there!
August 25th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
The fastpitch softball complex in Sulpher, La. is excellent. There are 6 fields there, and all are dedicated to softball only. There is plenty of over head cover to prevent some of the foul ball injuries to our loyal fans. The Louisiana high school state tournament has been held there for the past 8 years so far, and it is a great place to be.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Canton Michigan has an excellent complex (2 quads). Ample parking, a restaurant and there are batting cages at the complex
August 25th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
My favorite softball complex that ive been too is in Virginia Beach, VA i don’t remember what its called but it is beautiful. There are eight fields all within viewing/walking distance. All the fields have color coded dugout tops with a shady area for fans. And for rain, lets just say that it downpoured for about 26 minutes and within 5 minutes the field didn’t look like it had rained. It was kept so nice and has the best draining system i have ever seen.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I went to the 2006 College World Series. Hall of Fame Stadium is the best facility I have ever seen. There are no bad seats in the whole place. If sitting in the outfield, theres not a big fence interfering with your view. Not to mention all the superstar athletes that come there to play. A friend of mine, Megan Willis, played for Texas. Megan was the catcher that caught the great Cat Osterman. Megan and I did a clinic together in Decenber, here in Kentucky. We are planning another clinic for next summer, and Cat may be coming with her.If you build it, they will come. Well, they have come and will continuously come to the best softball complex in the United States.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
North Delta Park in Delta, British Columbia, Canada is the best park we have ever played at. With the recent addition of 2 Fieldturf fields and a new clubhouse, it is state of the art. There are a total of 7 fields, all with ample seating. 3 are fully fenced and there are 2 batting cages. Great facility.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Vista Murrieta High School fields. We have been told that our fields are the best High School field in State.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
There is great softball complex in Shippinsburg PA that has everything you would want. Great fields and infrastructure.
August 25th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
We are a 14&U team from San Antonio,there is a new 5 field complex that just opened in Seguin called The Fields at Huber Ranch.It was built just for softball with 210′ fences and a clay infield.It is a great addition to south Texas Softball.
August 25th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Paints Stadium (baseball field that can be converted to a softball field with the proper fencing. Located in Chillicothe Ohio! Just a beautiful field and lots of fun!
August 25th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I would agree that the Disney World complex is a great complex, particulary when you consider the other attractions. Another complex high on my list is located in Jasper, Indiana. I had the pleasure of being there for 06 ASA Northern Nationals. Great sand based infields with an automatic watering system to keep the dust down. Cylclone fenced dugouts to allow air circulation, all have a roof, a water fountain, and concrete floors. Each diamond has an air conditioned scoring tower and each field has a lighted scoreboard. The complex had a large concession building that offered plenty of shade, the restrooms were air conditioned and immaculate. The complex also had two paved parking areas that only required a short walk to the fields. In short, a very well thought out complex.
The complex also houses several baseball fields with the same ammenities.
A short drive away (15 to 25 min.) is Huntingburg which has the field/complex the movie ” A League of Our Own” was filmed at. Home of the Bombers a wood bat baseball league team, it makes for a great evening to take in an inexpensive game and see the field.
August 25th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
There is a softball complex in Webster, NY. It has at least three fields plus a quad. There are also numerous pavilions which are great when it starts to pour. The drainage is also amazing. It poured for about 25 minutes and the fields looked almost playable right after it stopped.
August 26th, 2008 at 12:08 am
My comment is negative, unfortunately. The Little League Softball World Series which is televised on ESPN is played on a BASEBALL FIELD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Alpenrose folks are wonderful to host it but please give the girls the same consideration as the Little League Baseball World Series boys get. Not only the field but TV coverage as well. If everyone made their wishes known to Little League concerning this matter it might change.
August 26th, 2008 at 12:58 am
I love playing on my home field in Garfield Hts. You get to be out there with the score board the announcers. It feels like your playing on a pro field and it’s always in great shape.
August 26th, 2008 at 1:41 am
REX took the words right out of my mouth. These 11-12 year old girls play all spring for a chance to make it to the Little League World Series – only to have to play on a grass infield. Perhaps if more emphasis was placed on the softball side of Little League, it would have helped keep softball on the docket for the next Olympics.
August 26th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I have to agree about the grass infields. We went to Disney’s Wide World of Sports this year for the USSSA World Series and although it is a magnificent facility, they had us playing on baseball fields (shortened the outfields with plastic fences that kept falling over). All the excitement of playing at a great facility was diminished. I was rather disappointed with the fields. Although, the overall experience was fantastic.
August 26th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Memorial Park #1 in Houston TX. This is a great field with a lot of history and many fond memories. The greatest names in the game have graced this field with their talents.
August 26th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
So far I have only been able to be at fields in Colorado (just finished our first year at 10’s)…for what we played on I would have to say the lay out of Stazio Fields in Boulder was my personal favorite….Great lay out, lotsa fields in close proximity, bathroom placement well thought out, and areas set aside for warming up between fields.
August 26th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Waconia Varsity field in Waconia , Minnesota. Home is were the heart is. I loved playing at home. The fan support and being familar with our surroundings. Also, the drive was not bad , with the gas prices so high.
August 26th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
The nicest field we’ve had the privelege to play/coach on was probably Akron Firestone Stadium (home of the Akron Racers). That being said… I would agree with Brittney from Garfield Hts. that nothing beats playing at home on your own field with all of your fans in the stands!
August 26th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
I coach a 10U team in Fresno, CA and our girls loved playing at Big League Dreams in Manteca, CA. It is a fantastic facility that made the girls feel like “big girls” with the inverted dugouts with steps, fans and misters in the dugout, artifical surface for both the grass and dirt infield, with the surrounding seats and outfield with replica major league park looks and atmosphere. It gets hot here in Central CA so the clubhouse with snack-bar, tables, and tv’s all helped the girls relax indoors in-between games. The BLD in Manteca, to this day, has been their favorite ballpark to play in. We had some great wins there this year!
August 26th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
JUDSON Stadium (Judson College). Elgin,Illinois
It is the 2008 home of the new NPF champion CHICAGO BANDITS.
CONGRATS LADIES!
It is also the field my kids will play Fall Ball come September…can’t wait to get started.
GO BANDITS!
August 26th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Akron Racers Stadium. It makes the girls feel like they are in the big leagues. Good seating as well.
August 26th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
I will agree that the Canton MI complex is verry nice but for the best field I would have to go with Petoskey MI Harbor Front field. The outfield fence is 20ft from Little Traverse Bay that goes out into Lake MI. The view from home plate is so spectacular I am suprised more kids don’t strike out. The field is perfectly manicured and the infield is watered between games. Watching your daughter play on this field is worth the price of the seasone.
August 26th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
My favorite is Gahagan Sports Complex in Summerville, S.C.
It brings good memories of family and friends every time I’m there.
August 26th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
The new field in
Grove Hill, Alabama (Home of the Clarke County High School Babes) is a brand new field. It is on an elevated area with a beautiful view. It has the potential to be a beautiful field.
August 26th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Our 10U team has only traveled once to states on Oahu and played at the C.O.R.P. Fields. They really enjoyed the whole experience, especially having so many fields in close proximity to view the other games etc.
August 26th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Cherry Park in Rock Hill, SC. 5 fields w/ high rise press box and concessions in the middle. Some shade trees also. Parking is good and the city maintains the fields during the tourneys.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
My favorite field in Northern California is Field of Dreams. The fields are decorated to look like Fenway Park, Wriggly Field and Angels Stadium. It is artifical turf and even has fans painted in the outfield. The girls love playing there.
August 26th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
I just love any field that softball is being played on…it could be an old field or brand new…to me there is no difference as soon as play starts.
August 26th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
I love our local complex in Audubon, PA. Nothing super fancy, but serves us well.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:19 am
The Field of Dreams definetly. Its in Tracy, CA. It is a complex that are replicas of major league stadiums.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:37 am
The complex in Mankato where the MN State High School tourney is held is a fantastic place to watch quality softball
August 27th, 2008 at 5:00 am
Good news/bad news. Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, WA, was renovated a few years ago through a community grant made by the Seattle Mariners. It became a great regional facility–easily one of the best in the Puget Sound area–and provided a quality venue for teams and spectators alike. Tournaments every weekend, early spring through late fall, and available for team practices between tournaments.
The bad news? The whole complex is now going to be converted to soccer fields. It’s a tragic loss for softball in the Pacific Northwest.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:59 am
The University of Michigan’s softball stadium is wonderful!
August 27th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Central Ohau Regional Park Complex
I have been around the game for more that 20 years through college, high school and now travelball and think that Oahu Regional Park is the best set of fields that I have played on.
August 27th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I love a well groomed field, some of the best I ever played on are in Salt Lake City, and West Valley, or the Canyons in St.George Utah. The field Maintantance departments are always so willing to assist with everything, they keep the fields well groomed and well taken care of. It is a joy to work with them on any type of game that we need to be playing from recreation to High School, All Stars or for a state Championship they do everything they can to accomidate
August 27th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
There is a small complex (4 Fields )in Colleyville Tx that has great infields and the grass is awsome. The city does a great job of keeping these fields in shape. We love to play there.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
My daughter & I watched the Little League Softball World Series which was televised on ESPN. I read the comment regarding it being played on a BASEBALL field? I now wonder did they have the appropriate distances for these girls? We were cheering on the South team and my daughter was impressed the the pitcher Hoover.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
ASU stadium in Tempe AZ!! Not a bad seat anywhere to watch a game. Also the best grass outfield and the best groomed infield to play on.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Wow most of you have played in some really awesome places. I haven’t been able to experience that quite yet, but I hope too. I really enjoyed a Softball Complex in the cities Tracy/Manteca California called Field of Dreams it’s all synthetic fields and really well kept. the place looks like a mini Baseball complex of several different teams with the each field representing that teams stadium. The LA Angels, field is my fave in the complex it really looks like an exact miniature replica with the Rocks in the shape of the A etc… just like there stadium. The Food there is great and it’s just a fun place to go. TJ
August 27th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
ASA Hall of Fame, OKC is the best ever. Helped coach a highschool team in the Okla. State Tour. held at Hall of Fame. What a thrill for the girls, coaches and fans. There are some good things about being an Okie.
Went with a team to McKinney, Texas. Great complex.
August 30th, 2008 at 7:31 am
I guess I would have to say our UH softball field. Haven’t been to any, but ours! Maybe some day I’ll be able to venture with the girls on a “field trip”
August 30th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Central Winds Park in Winter Springs Florida
It is a community park with competition quality league play only softball fields and four practice fields. A passive area on the West Side of the park includes pavilions, picnic grills, playground, horseshoes and a nature trail. They have great play ground areas for the younger kids and is less than ¼ mile from 6 restaurants.
September 1st, 2008 at 2:45 pm
my daughter is just moving up to 14u this year. We have a few favorite local fields. VGSA in Vancouver WA. N. Clackamas in Milwaukie, OR, and Wallace Marine in Salem, OR. Allow these organizations really did their research. Beautiful ballfields!!
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I coach at Tascosa High School in Amarillo, Tx. I enjoy playing on fields that have been well groomed. Our field doesnt look like much when you think about stands and dugouts and any other aspect of a stadium, but when it comes to the playing field itself, you cant find any better in our area. I spend countless hours working on the field. It has been referred to as my mistress named “Diamond”