Gallaudet University to begin renovation of baseball and softball fields

Gallaudet University will take another step this fall to improve its collegiate athletic facilities with the renovation of its baseball and softball fields. Construction begins this October with a projected completion for early 2012. The new fields will be home to the Bison baseball and softball teams, and will be accessible to the campus and surrounding community.

The new baseball and softball facilities, designed by Sasaki Associates, Inc., will feature artificial turf, stadium seating, and eventually lighting, concessions stand, and a press box. The project is being managed by The Brinkman Group and built by Clark Companies, Inc. The baseball field is commonly known on campus as “Hoy Field” after William Ellsworth “Dummy” Hoy, the first deaf baseball player to have a professional career in the major leagues.

Gallaudet will partner with the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League on the project, as the new D.C. Grays, the tenth team in one of the country’s premiere summer wood-bat college baseball leagues, will play on Hoy Field during the summer. The team will also work with the university on a major new youth baseball outreach program for children in the District.