A Look at Millikin Baseball's New Home
The new on-campus home of the Millikin University Baseball program, the Workman Family Baseball Field, was officially opened during a dedication ceremony on Sept. 27, 2019.
Millikin University became the only school in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) to have an on-campus baseball-only facility with a full turf field and a clubhouse. The new baseball facility includes an all-artificial turf field, lights, press box, concessions and batting cages. The grandstand has seating capacity for 459 spectators. Seating includes bleachers, seat back chairs and a patio area, all elevated above the playing field.
Millikin celebrated the new field during Homecoming and Family Weekend Festivities as Millikin baseball alumni had a chance to play on the new field during an Alumni Baseball game on Sept. 28.
The $5.4 million baseball field project was made possible by a generous $4 million contribution from Millikin Emeritus Trustee Gary Workman, a 1965 graduate, his wife, Judy, and their family, as well as generous gifts from Millikin Emeriti Trustees Mark and Bob Staley, Millikin Trustee Tom Harrington '70 and his wife, Cordia, and the estate of Millikin Emeritus Trustee Frank Tyrolt.
"One of my priorities when I came to Millikin was to get baseball and softball on campus," said Millikin Director of Athletics Dr. Craig White. "With the completion of the Workman Family Baseball Field, baseball will join softball in playing on campus in one of the top facilities in the country for NCAA Division III programs."
The Workman Family Baseball field has in-ground dugouts with Millikin's dugout on the third base side with batting cages and bullpen access nearby. The visitor's dugout is on the first base side and also includes access to a bullpen. The new clubhouse is located below the grandstand.
The press box has the capacity for six media professionals, and houses controls for the lights and inning-by-inning scoreboard overlooking the right-center field fence.
"The new baseball field marks a great new step for Millikin University, powered once again by the commitment and generosity of donors who want Millikin students to experience the best possible facilities to make the most of their talents and aspirations," said Millikin President Dr. Patrick E. White. "We are grateful to the positive leadership of the Workman, Harrington, Staley, Tyrolt families and all our donors to this project because, through their gifts, they empower the development of all our students and help Millikin and Decatur grow and achieve excellence."
Millikin Head Baseball Coach Brandon Townsend added, "In the present....This stadium will set the standard for baseball facilities around the country that schools will strive to achieve. For the future....This amazing facility will help raise our program, recruiting and enhance our student-athlete experience for many years."
Relive some of the best moments from the dedication ceremony in the above video and get an inside look at one of the top facilities in the country for NCAA Division III Athletics.