Al Worthington Stadium

Al Worthington Stadium
Former names Liberty Field (1979-1986), Al Worthington Field (1986-1995)
Location Wards Road, Lynchburg, VA, USA
Coordinates 37°21′13″N 79°10′49″W / 37.353588°N 79.180379°WCoordinates: 37°21′13″N 79°10′49″W / 37.353588°N 79.180379°W
Owner Liberty University
Operator Liberty University
Executive suites Yes
Capacity 2,500
Record attendance 3,183 (March 28, 2008, vs. Coastal Carolina)
Surface FieldTurf collar around home plate, bermuda grass infield (1999-present), natural grass outfield
Scoreboard Electronic
Construction
Opened 1979
Renovated 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2008
Expanded 2008
Closed 2012
Demolished 2013[1]
Tenants
Liberty Flames baseball (NCAA DI Big South) (1979-2012)

Al Worthington Stadium was a baseball venue on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA. It was home to the Liberty Flames of the Division I Big South Conference. Opened in 1979, the facility was named for former Liberty baseball coach and athletic director Al Worthington.[2] It had a capacity of 2,500 spectators.[3] Plans for a new Liberty baseball venue were announced in August 2011, and Liberty Baseball Stadium opened prior to the 2013 season.[4] It was demolished in 2013.[1]

History

The venue opened in 1979 as Liberty Field. Al Worthington was Liberty's head coach at the time. On May 3, 1986, the field was dedicated Al Worthington Field.[2]

In 1995, the venue's name was again changed, this time to Al Worthington Stadium. In 1998, the stadium won Sports Turf Magazine's "Diamond of the Year" award.[2]

Beginning in 1999, the stadium underwent a series of renovations. In that year, a 5,200 ft.² hitting complex was added, located down the left field line. Also in 1999, the infield was resurfaced with bermuda grass. A new PA system and backstop were installed in 2000. 2003 construction added an indoor hitting facility, luxury boxes, and a clubhouse. Renovations completed in 2008 added stadium lighting and additional seating, which raised capacity by 600-700 spectators.[2]

With the addition of stadium lighting, Worthington Stadium's first night game was played on March 28, 2008.[2] On the same night, the stadium set a new attendance record of 3,183 spectators.[3] Liberty lost the game to Coastal Carolina 5-3 in 11 innings.[2]

In August 2011, the university announced plans for a new baseball venue. The plans called for the venue to be built near Williams Stadium, the university's football venue, and to hold 3,000 spectators. The project was projected to cost roughly $5 million. The announcement included plans for Worthington Stadium to become a softball venue.[4]

The stadium closed following the 2012 season. Its final game was played on May 13, 2012, in which High Point defeated Liberty 13-11.[5] It was demolished in 2013.[1]

Naming

The venue was named for Al Worthington. Following a fourteen-season major league career, Worthington came to Liberty in 1974. As the Flames' baseball coach from 1974 to 1986, Worthington compiled a 343-189-1 record. In each of the last 12 of Worthington's 13 seasons, the program had a winning record.[6]

After being named Liberty's athletic director in 1983, Worthington continued to coach baseball until 1986. On May 3, 1986, Liberty's baseball field was dedicated to Worthington during his final home game as baseball coach. The Flames defeated Maryland 19-3.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Demolition at old baseball stadium makes way for new projects". Liberty University News Service. 2013-10-17. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Worthington Stadium". Liberty Flames. Archived from the original on 2011-08-19. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Facilities Overview". Liberty Flames. Archived from the original on 2011-08-19. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Foley, Brian (August 10, 2011). "Liberty set to open New Stadium for 2013 Season". College Baseball Daily. Archived from the original on 2011-08-21. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  5. ↑ "High Point Edges Liberty in Slugfest in Final Game at Worthington". Liberty.edu. 13 May 2012. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  6. ↑ "Al Worthington (Baseball Coach: 1974-86/Athletics Director: 1983-89)". Liberty Flames. Archived from the original on 2011-08-19. Retrieved 19 August 2011.