Baxter Field

{{Infobox venue

| stadium_name = Baxter International Baseball Field

| nickname = Baxter Field

| image = Albert Park.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| location = Gundurimba Road, Lismore, New South Wales

| coordinates = {{coord|-28.82159|153.271524|type:landmark|display=it}}

| opened = 1960

| renovated = 2002, 2020

| expanded =

| owner = New South Wales Government

| surface = Grass

| architect =

| former_names =

| tenants = Lismore Timberjacks
(Claxton Shield)

| seating_capacity = 1,500

| dimensions = Left Field – {{Convert|325|ft|m|0}}
Center Field – {{Convert|380|ft|m|0}}
Right Field – {{Convert|325|ft|m|0}}

}}

Baxter International Baseball Field or the Albert Park Baseball Complex is home to the Far North Coast Baseball Association (FNCBA), part of Baseball NSW, in Lismore, New South Wales. It is a fully fenced and regulation size field with field level fenced dugouts, bullpens, 4 batting cages as well as covered stands. Floodlighting is of international standard and has numerous Claxton Shield games since 1968.[http://www.fnc.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=15202&MenuID=About_Us/3210/0/ Far North Coast Baseball Club History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820003946/http://www.fnc.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=15202&MenuID=About_Us%2F3210%2F0%2F |date=20 August 2008 }}

The field is part of the larger Albert Park complex, with several diamonds, and opposite to Baxter Field is Thew Field which serves as a playing field for juniors as well as a warm up and training field. It is also a regulation sized, floodlight field.

History

File:Lismorewater.jpg

Baxter Field is named in honour of Reg Baxter, OAM (1924–2014),{{cite web |title=Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council of the City of Lismore, Tuesday 12 August 2014 |url=https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/infocouncil2/Open/2014/08/OC_12082014_MIN.htm |website=Lismore City Council |accessdate=29 July 2019 |language=en |date=12 August 2014}} Norths (Baseball Club) and FNCBA stalwart, and a former Lismore City Council Councillor who was tireless in his support for local sport (baseball, cricket and softball) and instrumental in upgrading the facilities at Albert Park.{{cite web |last1=Mortimer |first1=Luke |title=Mateship shines through as Reg Baxter farewelled |url=https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/mateship-shines-through/2351107/ |website=The Northern Star |accessdate=21 July 2019 |language=en |date=14 August 2014}}

In 2020, a $6.95 million upgrade was completed to redevelop the complex to become the Little League centre of Australia.[https://www.baseballqueensland.com.au/far-north-coast-building-for-the-future/ 7 MILLION DOLLAR GRANT BOOSTS LISMORE’S POSITION ON THE MAP] Baseball Queensland

In 2021, the Sydney Blue Sox announced they would be playing at least one home series against the Canberra Cavalry at the facility in lieu of being able to play at Blue Sox Stadium due to Blacktown falling in a COVID-19 pandemic hotspot. It is the first Australian Baseball League games at the complex since 2012 when the Blue Sox were hosted by the geographically closer Brisbane Bandits.{{cite web |last1=Craig |first1=Mitchell |title=Lismore plays ball |url=https://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/lismore-plays-ball-sports/1496519/ |website=Fraser Coast Chronicle |accessdate=20 January 2021 |language=en |date=8 August 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The facility will also host the Australian Baseball League All-Star Game in 2021–22.{{cite web |last1=Swanton |first1=Will |title=Lismore plays ball |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/baseball-regional-nsw-saves-another-season-as-blue-sox-go-to-lismore/news-story/30d3cbf37ab3c32c75829455efe7748d |website=The Australian |accessdate=20 January 2021 |language=en |date=18 January 2021}}

File:Reg Baxter (the namesake of Baxter Field).jpg

References

Category:Sports venues in New South Wales

Category:Baseball venues in Australia

Category:1960 establishments in Australia

Category:Sports venues completed in 1960