At long last, FNC Park will have a fourth softball field added to its softball complex ready by next spring.
The new softball field, titled Field 12, will be located in Quad C at the FNC Park. Quad C currently houses three softball fields, but this fourth one was a long time coming.
Brad Freeman, director of FNC Park, said, “During initial construction of FNC Park we graded out space for 4 softball fields. As we got towards the end of the construction we had to make some cuts and the 4th softball field was one of them. We’ve always had plans to come back and build the 4th softball field. Funds were placed in this years’ budget in order to construct the last softball field.”
This new softball field is useful, and much needed as Justin Reeder explains. He coaches the Crushers, a softball team consisting of 9- and 10-year-old players.
Reeder said, “I think the new field is a great addition. Softball can be played by a wide range of people spanning all ages. The field space is really needed. It is usually a challenge to find open fields for practices. For tournaments, I think an extra field will provide opportunities for a larger number of teams and help with scheduling.”
The new field won’t be open until next spring. Jared Barkley, the athletics manger for Oxford Park Commission, said, “The new softball field will not be used for OPC athletics until next spring to allow for the grass to settle.”
Regardless the new softball field will have an impact on Oxford community. Freeman said, “This new softball field will allow for continued growth of the OPC softball programs and give us the ability to hold more events and host more teams at the park because we have a new field in which to do so. Once this field is complete we will have 14 ball fields at FNC Park making us one of, if not the biggest, baseball and softball complex in Mississippi.”
Callie Daniels is a staff writer and reporter for HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at callie.daniels@hottytoddy.com.
