TYLER, TEXAS – The home of UT Tyler softball has been recognized as a 2023 Netting Professionals/NFCA Field of the Year honoree by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
Irwin Ballpark received recognition as the top softball facility across the Division II landscape as one of seven facilities across seven different levels to earn the award. Opened in 2005, Irwin Ballpark is a continuous host of NCAA postseason competition. The facility has hosted two Division III national championship tournaments, along with 10 regional and six super regional rounds.
This award, made possible by NFCA Official Sponsor Netting Professionals, recognizes top fields/stadiums in the nation for their flawless grounds maintenance and exceptional playing surfaces. These locations are selected by the NFCA Awards Committee for NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Cal JC, NWAC, and High School.
The winners were nominated by NFCA member coaches and selected by a panel of their peers on the NFCA Awards Committee.
Irwin Ballpark has natural playing surface, comprising of Bermuda/Rye and dirt/clay mixtures with the infield surface laser leveled annually. Seating comprises of 95 chairbacks, 220 bleacher seats and seat deck of 100 to go along with standing room, bringing its capacity to almost 800.
Additionally, the facility features, a 12-foot video board, press box, and four covered turf batting cages with retractable netting.
Behind a joint effort between the softball staff and the field crew, Irwin continues a picturesque look into May with many people mistaking it for an artificial turf field.
The complete list of winners can be found below. They will be recognized on Dec. 9 during the NFCA Convention's annual Awards Brunch.
Kamphuis Field/Liberty Softball Stadium (Liberty University/NCAA DI)
Irwin Ballpark (University of Texas at Tyler/NCAA DII)
Captains Park (Christopher Newport University/NCAA DIII)
Christensen Memorial Field (Siena Heights University/NAIA)
Wrangler Field (Odessa College/NJCAA)
FLC Falcon Stadium (Folsom Lake College/Cal JC)
Barrington's Fields of Dreams Complex – Champions Field (Barrington High School).
