Carter Memorial Stadium
{{short description|College baseball stadium in Virginia, U.S.}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Williams Field at Carter Memorial Stadium
| nickname =
| image =
| fullname =
| former_names = Radford Baseball Field (1986-2011)
Radford Baseball Stadium (2011-2017)
| location = University Drive, Radford, Virginia, United States
| coordinates = {{coord|37.136911|-80.539165|display=title,inline}}
| broke_ground =
| built =
| opened = 1986
| renovated = 2009, 2011
| expanded =
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = Radford University
| operator = Radford University
| surface = Tuckahoe bluegrass
| scoreboard = Daktronics Videoboard with attached Electronic Scoreboard
| cost = USD$800,000 (2011 renovations)
| suites =
| architect =
| project_manager = Carolina Green Corp. Athletic Field Construction (2009 field facelift)
| structural engineer =
| services engineer =
| general_contractor = Branch & Associates (2011 renovations)
| main_contractors =
| capacity = 800 (seated), plus grass berm down left field line
| record_attendance = 1,373 (April 19, 2011)
| executive_suites =
| dimensions = Left field: 330 ft
Left center field: 370 ft
Center field: 400 ft
Right center field: 370 ft
Right field: 330 ft
| acreage =
| tenants = Radford Highlanders baseball (1986-present)
}}
Williams Field at Carter Memorial Stadium is a baseball venue on the campus of Radford University in Radford, Virginia, United States. It is home to the Radford Highlanders of the NCAA Division I Big South Conference. The field opened in 1986 and underwent extensive renovations in 2011. Its capacity is 800 spectators, with a grass area down the left field line allowing for overflow crowds.{{cite web|title=Radford University Baseball Stadium|url=http://www.ruhighlanders.com/sports/2008/12/2/BaseballField.aspx?id=14|work=RU Highlanders|accessdate=25 August 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911053859/http://www.ruhighlanders.com/sports/2008/12/2/BaseballField.aspx?id=14|url-status=dead|archivedate=2011-09-11}}
Other uses of the stadium include baseball camps{{cite web|title=Radford University Highlanders: Joe Raccuia Baseball Camps|url=http://collegebaseballcamps.com/calendar.cfm?ID=406|work=College Baseball Camps|accessdate=25 August 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321091420/http://collegebaseballcamps.com/calendar.cfm?ID=406|url-status=dead|archivedate=2012-03-21}} and high school baseball tournaments.{{cite web|title=VHSL Baseball Championship Info|url=http://www.vhsl.org/athletics/baseball/baseball_tournament_information|publisher=Virginia High School League|accessdate=25 August 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927141505/http://www.vhsl.org/athletics/baseball/baseball_tournament_information|url-status=dead|archivedate=2011-09-27}}
History
The facility opened in 1986. In July 2007, Joe Raccuia assumed control of the program with plans for facility upgrades.{{cite web|title=Staff Directory: Joe Raccuia|url=http://www2.ruhighlanders.com/staff.aspx?staff=26|work=RU Highlanders|accessdate=25 August 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331062952/http://www2.ruhighlanders.com/staff.aspx?staff=26|url-status=dead|archivedate=2012-03-31}}
Renovations beginning in 2008 led to reconstruction of the field. In 2008, a new backstop was installed. Dugouts were enlarged and the playing surface improved in 2009.{{cite web|last=Altizer|first=Chuck|title=RU to Transform Baseball Stadium|url=http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/270304|work=The Roanoke Times Online|accessdate=25 August 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010071109/http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/270304|archivedate=2012-10-10|url-status=dead|date=December 10, 2010}}
In 2011, the venue's name was changed from Radford Baseball Field to Radford Baseball Stadium, due to major renovations. Branch and Associates, Inc. led a project to rebuild the stadium.{{cite web|title=Building on Success at Radford University - Baseball Field Bleachers Additions|url=http://www.branch-associates.com/news/newsdetail.asp?u=10|work=News|publisher=Branch & Associates, Inc.|accessdate=25 August 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911040937/http://www.branch-associates.com/news/newsdetail.asp?u=10|archivedate=2011-09-11|url-status=dead|date=April 22, 2011}} A seating structure with 800 chair-backed seats was added, in addition to a new concourse, press box, and PA system. New stadium lighting allowed night games to be played. The construction project, which cost $800,000, was the first in Radford athletics history to use only private funding.{{cite web|last=Halberg|first=Matt|title=RU Baseball Builds for Future|url=https://php.radford.edu/~tartan/wp/?p=2964|work=The Tartan|publisher=Radford University|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004025224/https://php.radford.edu/~tartan/wp/?p=2964|archivedate=2011-10-04|url-status=dead|date=February 8, 2011}}
Construction was completed during the 2011 season. The new stadium was officially opened for the program's first-ever home night game, a sold-out crowd on April 8, 2011 against VMI.{{cite web|title=Wednesday's Baseball Game Against Longwood Washed Out|url=http://www.ruhighlanders.com/news/2011/3/30/BB_0330112423.aspx?path=baseball|work=RU Highlanders|accessdate=25 August 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329152442/http://www.ruhighlanders.com/news/2011/3/30/BB_0330112423.aspx?path=baseball|archivedate=2012-03-29|url-status=dead|date=March 30, 2011}}{{cite web|title=Baseball Contest Between Radford an VMI to Resume Saturday at 1 PM|url=http://www2.ruhighlanders.com/news/2011/4/8/BB_0408114142.aspx?path=baseball|work=RU Highlanders|accessdate=25 August 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331063033/http://www2.ruhighlanders.com/news/2011/4/8/BB_0408114142.aspx?path=baseball|archivedate=2012-03-31|url-status=dead|date=April 8, 2011}}{{cite web|title=Radford Baseball Set for Stadium Opening, VMI Series|url=http://www.ruhighlanders.com/news/2011/4/7/BB_0407115200.aspx?path=baseball|work=RU Highlanders|accessdate=25 August 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329152458/http://www.ruhighlanders.com/news/2011/4/7/BB_0407115200.aspx?path=baseball|archivedate=2012-03-29|url-status=dead|date=April 7, 2011}} Radford set its attendance record just days later when an over-capacity crowd of 1,373 witnessed the top ranked Virginia Cavaliers play the Highlanders.{{Cite web|title=NO. 1 VIRGINIA BEATS RADFORD BASEBALL 12-0|url=https://radfordathletics.com/news/2011/4/19/BB_0419113513.aspx|access-date=2020-06-17|website=Radford University Athletics|language=en}}
The venue changed names to Williams Field at Carter Memorial Stadium in 2017. {{cite web|title=Radford Baseball to Hold Naming Ceremony April 29|url=https://radfordathletics.com/news/2017/4/21/radford-baseball-to-host-naming-ceremony-april-29.aspx|work=Radford Athletics|accessdate=21 April 2017}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://ruhighlanders.com/photo_gallery.aspx?gallery=132 April 8, 2011, Stadium Opener Photo Gallery] at RU Highlanders
{{Radford University}}
{{Big South Conference baseball venue navbox}}
{{Virginia NCAA Division I college baseball venue navbox}}
Category:College baseball venues in the United States
Category:Baseball venues in Virginia