The Panther Athletic Complex on Quebec Road is facing a number of upgrades to the baseball field and facilities. The last time the PAC (Panther Athletic Complex) underwent this many improvements was the implementing of the turf on the soccer field three years ago. In terms of improvements to the baseball program, these are the most significant since the building of the Jack Adam Baseball Stadium in 2014.

Last spring, the program had a total of 23 postponed and canceled games (10 at home) at the JV and Varsity levels due weather conditions destroying the field. The infield, however, was never a problem. It has special dirt that absorbs water better than normal, and there is an efficient drainage system behind the mound and in the backstop.

The outfield, however, was another story. There was no drainage system in the outfield, so whenever there was significant rain, it was guaranteed there would be a pond in left and center field. Also, the water in the outfield does not evaporate as quickly as on the infield. Coach Mark Thompson (Elder Varsity Baseball Coach), strategically keeps the grass in the outfield higher to prevent line drive base hits to roll to the wall, which commonly allows singles to be converted into doubles.

Although the grass in the infield is shorter, five feet beyond the dirt in front of home plate is approximately an inch and a half taller to allow bunts to stick to make it more challenging for a charging infielder to get the runner out.

Even the outfield walls are the length they are (395 down the line and 405 in center) to prevent home runs. Most players of today do not remember this, but in 2013 BBCOR bats started to become more popular, allowing the ball to go further. Elder plays the best competition in the state and opponent players have more power than an average high school player. Thompson knew this and designed the fence at that specific length to prevent as many home runs as possible; thus, making it very impressive when someone knocks one out.

Jack Adam Stadium is the ultimate home field advantage, but the Panthers rarely can ever use it due to the field conditions after bad weather. This is why during this offseason, Elder hired a company to install a new drainage system in the outfield.

Construction began in late September and is expected to conclude sometime in the winter. This improvement will allow more games to be played at home and will prevent postponed or cancelled games. Due to the construction, the baseball team will not be able to host fall practices on the field and is forced to practice inside until renovations are complete. Although, players and coaches are not complaining because Elder Baseball has a whole new set up for the indoor facility.

Over the summer, Elder ordered a number of new pieces of equipment for the indoor facility: a new L-screen, two new batting cages, lockers, a fridge, new turf, and a Trackman analytic system. This new sweet setup allows for better training. The Trackman will allow for coaches and players to record data that is not seen with the naked eye. This includes, horizontal and vertical break, spin rate, pitch velocity, exit velocity, etc.

Before the indoor renovations, there were only about 12 old, dust-filled, lockers that no one used. Now there is a specific area that serves as a “locker room.” The room also includes a fridge filled with water. The days of getting a drink of water out of a hose behind the home dugouts are officially over.

Next to the outdoor cages on the home side of the field is an added concrete patio that will be used to store the batting practice net that originally sat in the dead grass outside the field. On the away side there is also a patio, but it is the foundation of a new shed to store equipment. The old shed was almost becoming a safety hazard for how aged it had become; thus, a new shed was much needed. There is also a new bench inside the home bullpen for pitchers waiting to get the call to the mound.

While Elder Baseball is receiving these upgrades, Elder Baseball broadcasting (the Elder News Network) is receiving one also. Beyond the center field fence is a new wooden platform/deck to host a camera and a camera operator. This will allow for a new angle to view the game just like a professional broadcast.

This angle will be from behind the pitcher and can see the face of the catcher, umpire, and hitter. This will allow fans to more clearly see the location of the delivered pitch. Elder News Network supervisor and Elder Media Coordinator, Adam Duwel says that he is excited to bring this to the table to make the broadcast more professional and give it more variety.

While the baseball program is the face of these improvements. There are a specific few that made all of these improvements possible. Coach Thompson mentioned, “This is all possible thanks to an anonymous donor who gave Elder a substantial amount of money to make these improvements.” Whoever this donor is (if they are reading), as an Elder baseball player myself, I thank you for this gift you gave the program, everyone involved in the program is extremely grateful.

Coach Thompson was the idea man. He was the one who determined what was bought and where things went, but there was someone behind the scenes that organized everything and helped do some of the work and move things.

That man would be Saun McComas. According to Caleb McComas (Mr. McComas’ son), he was the one who built the bench in the bull pen and the deck in center field. He was the one who helped moved all the lockers and the turf into the indoor facility. 

He has been helping out the program by taking care of the field “after the first round of playoffs… helping Coach Dressman a little bit after his [back] surgery. But obviously he’s picked up and started doing more kind of picking up in August,” Caleb said.

Thanks to all those involved, the PAC is now better than ever, and it is continuing to improve.