J. David Walker Field at Legacy Park
J. David Walker Field at Legacy Park
| Home to | Lehigh Baseball |
| Location | Goodman Campus, Bethlehem, Pa. (behind Rauch Fieldhouse) GPS Address: 123 Goodman Drive |
| Year Opened | 2015 |
| Renovated | Fall 2017 |
| Capacity | 370 grandstand seats + hill/standing room |
| Dimensions | LF: 320; LC: 375; CF: 400; RC: 375; RF: 320 |
| Surface | Synthetic turf infield, natural grass outfield |
| More Information | Baseball Visitor's Guide |
HISTORY
In April 2015, Lehigh unveiled its newly renovated baseball facility following a major renovation project. Renamed Legacy Park, the new venue was named to honor the long baseball history at Lehigh and its baseball alumni and friends who help support the program.
Before the start of the 2017 baseball season, the field was renamed "J. David Walker Field at Legacy Park." Twin brothers, James and Neal Walker, donated the funds for the naming rights and upgrades to the field, and decided to have the field named in honor of their father, the late J. David Walker. The connection between the Walker family and Lehigh baseball runs deep as James and Neal are childhood friends of Lehigh head coach Sean Leary.
J. David Walker was a well-respected professor of mechanical engineering at Lehigh University from 1978 through 2003. With the connection between the Walker family and Lehigh baseball, James and Neal decided what better way to honor their father's legacy than to have a field on Lehigh's campus named in their father's honor. The field also happens to be the same plot of ground where the brothers played pick-up games and practiced with their father as young boy
The original baseball field on Lehigh's Goodman Campus was constructed in 1972. Lehigh moved its home games to Goodman in the mid 70's after playing for decades in the old Taylor Stadium.
AMENITIES
As part of the 2015 renovations, the grass infield was replaced with a synthetic-turf infield, while the natural grass outfield remained. The facility features new permanent grandstand seating behind home plate that is protected by a padded wall and a modern cable and netting backstop. A state-of-the-art press box is located atop the stands with landings on both sides. The field has two batting cages with artificial turf down the left field line and bullpens with dual pitching rubbers are located beyond each dugout. New fencing was installed down each line with new Lehigh/Patriot League imaging, all of which quickly helped the field become one of the top baseball facilities in the Patriot League.
In July 2017, Lehigh began work on phase two of improvements to the facility, which were completed in October. The renovations included a new scoreboard, a new batter's eye, a new padded outfield wall, a newly constructed pavilion in right field, a donor recognition plaza, new entrances and various branding throughout the park.
The field is surrounded by a large hill that offers spectacular views of the action from down both the right and left field lines.
EVENTS
In addition to Lehigh Baseball, J. David Walker Field hosts various external events including:
- high school, amateur and all-star events
- local baseball organizations
- numerous camps and clinics
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING
Parking for baseball games at J. David Walker Field is available next to the field's main entrance plaza, located behind Stabler Arena and adjacent to Rauch Fieldhouse.
For GPS directions, use address 123 Goodman Drive, Bethlehem, Pa.
Click here for printable driving directions to Goodman Campus
CONTACT
For more information about this facility or its programs, please contact the following:
1) Facility Rental: Allen Biddinger
2) Lehigh Baseball: Sean Leary
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