Lee County to add turf fields for baseball and softball; make other improvements

LEESBURG — The anticipation is building at Lee County High School as plans are underway to revamp the baseball and softball fields in the near future. Head baseball coach Wes Shiver and head softball coach Dwayne Suggs will embark on a trip to the Atlanta area this week to explore state-of-the-art turf baseball fields and visit a turf manufacturing company.

Shiver expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming improvements, stating, “We are very excited about this. We are so grateful to the superintendent and the board for their approval and support. These upgrades will be a tremendous asset to Lee County High School.”

The installation of new turf fields for both baseball and softball will commence as soon as the bidding process is finalized and the chosen company is ready to begin. Shiver expects the baseball field to be completed by December, ensuring its readiness for the 2024 baseball season. Emphasizing the significance of the playing surface, Shiver stated, “The playing surface is the top priority for us.”

Additional improvements at the baseball facility, including new dugouts, a player locker room, an upgraded press box, and enhanced stadium facilities for fans, will follow in due course. Shiver noted that the timeline for these developments depends on financial arrangements and the administrative procedures managed by the central office.

Meanwhile, the softball renovations will commence after the conclusion of the 2023 softball season, as summer practice is scheduled to begin shortly. Suggs explained the rationale behind this decision, stating, “We requested that the work begin between November and March to ensure completion in time for next year. Although we had the option of prioritizing the softball field, it would have meant relocating our games for the upcoming season. We didn’t want to disrupt our team’s routine, particularly for our senior players.”

The transformation of the softball field will involve switching to turf, adding extra seating along the left field line, moving the fence in by 200 feet, and raising its height to eight feet. Additionally, new batting cages and bullpen areas will be installed outside the outfield fence.

Softball practice is slated to commence in June, with the season kicking off in August. Should the construction commence early enough, Lee County’s summer baseball workouts may need to be relocated, but no concrete steps have been taken thus far.