LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Eight programs were recognized as 2025 Netting Professionals/NFCA Fields of the Year, the Association announced on Friday afternoon.
Earning recognition in 2025 are McWhorter Stadium (NCAA DI – Clemson University), Bowden Field (NCAA DII – Augustana University), Inspiration Field at Carol Willis Park (NCAA DIII – Illinois Wesleyan University), Warrior Field at Warrior Park (NAIA – Indiana Institute of Technology), The Plex (NJCAA – Northeast Mississippi Community College), Falcons Softball Stadium (Cal JC – Folsom Lake College), Raines Field (NWAC – Clark College) and Warrior Field (Calvary Christian High School {Fla.}).
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. They will be recognized on Dec. 13 during the NFCA Convention's annual Awards Brunch.
NCAA Division I – McWhorter Stadium
(Clemson)
Head Coach: John Rittman
Grounds Crew: KC Bell, Daniel McKinney, Chandler Creswell, Jake Krumrey, Coty Marcengill
Founded: 2020
Infield/Outfield: DuraEdge Collegiate Mix - mix of 67% and 33& silt/clay ratio. / Sand-based field with six-inch gravel base.
Facility Features/Highlights: Padded floor in dugout with dual access … Daktronics video board in right field … Updated lighting installed in summer of 2025 … Expanded outfield seating by 500, bringing capacity to 2,116 for the start of the 2023 season … Offers state-of-the-art accommodations and first-class accessibility to everyone from coaching staffs to athletic trainers … Commended as one of the best locations in the Southeast to play softball.
NCAA Division II – Bowden Field (Augustana)
Head Coach: Gretta Melsted
Grounds Crew: Kelsey Thompson, Gretta Melsted
Founded: 1992
Infield/Outfield: Field Turf Triple Play
Facility Features/Highlights: Major renovation completed prior to 2023 season … Overhead heaters and restrooms in dugouts … Team area with kitchen connected to home dugout … One continuous netting connected to the light poles behind the press box results in no vertical seams and a clear view … Pressbox is connected to the Coach Melsted Family Suite.
NCAA Division III – Inspiration Field at Carol Willis Park (Illinois Wesleyan)
Head Coach: Tiffany Prager
Grounds Crew: Paul Cope, Greg Whitwood
Founded: 2000 (renamed and rededicated in 2020)
Infield/Outfield: Field Turf with PureSelect Olive infill / Grass with a sand base
Facility Features/Highlights: Hosted 2025 NCAA DIII National Championship … Turf and dirt bullpens … Home dugout bathroom … Both dugouts feature individual cubbies/lockers inscribed with an inspirational quote selected by program supporters … Significant upgrades last five years, including hitting facility, padding behind home plate and in outfield, increased seating and chairbacks, video board, bigger press box.
NAIA – Warrior Field at Warrior Park (Indiana Tech)
Head Coach: Stephanie Zimny
Grounds Crew: Tom Dague, Paul Eshelman, Mike Townsley
Founded: 2019
Infield/Outfield: Artificial Turf
Facility Features/Highlights: Outdoor batting cages located behind first base dugout, sunken dugouts (heated), 350-seat capacity with stadium-style seating, 12-person capacity press box, bullpens first and third base sides and full-scale concession stand … Considered one of the top NAIA facilities in the country and stadiums in the state of Indiana.
NJCAA – The Plex (Northeast Mississippi CC)
Head Coach: Jody Long
Grounds Crew: Shannon Jacobs, Brandon Elliott
Founded: 2020
Infield/Outfield: Artificial Turf
Facility Features/Highlights: Dugouts equipped with heaters .. Padding/netting/Musco lighting … Only program in conference with a videoboard … Bullpens (dual pitching rubbers) located on each side of field .. Indoor hitting facility behind left field wall … State-of-the-art locker room connected to third base dugout … AWRE camera software installed in 2025.
Cal JC – Falcons Softball Stadium (Folsom Lake College)
Head Coach: Amber Grahlman
Grounds Crew: Darren Jibben and Jimmie Bazor
Founded: 2013
Infield/Outfield: AstroTurf
Facility Features/Highlights: 300-seat venue with large dugouts, scoreboard, speakers and live-streaming cameras … Numerous upgrades for 2024-25 include AstroTurf field, windscreens, foul poles, light up Falcon on top of scoreboard, additional on-field logos .. Branded cubbies and storage cabinet in dugout .. Batting cages feature new netting, turf and LED lights … Additional storage closets … Won award in 2023.
NWAC – Raines Field (Clark College)
Head Coach: Ciera Jones
Grounds Crew: Brian Blehm
Founded: 2014
Infield/Outfield: Sand, silt and clay / Natural grass
Facility Features/Highlights: Won award for second straight year … In 2025, field was named in honor of Wilma Raines, in memory of Jim Raines and his daughter Jamie (Raines) Shogren, devoted supporters of the program … Installed new sprinkler system behind home plate and pitching circle in 2024 … Installed new state-of-the-art scoreboard in 2025 … Features roomy dugouts and netting backstop.
High School – Warrior Softball Complex (Calvary Christian High School (Fla.))
Head Coach: Amy Smith
Grounds Crew: Hamilton Hartsell, Preston Heeren, Bill Greenwald
Founded: 2025
Infield/Outfield: Turf
Facility Features/Highlights: Brand new field completed in 2025 … LED stadium lights (set deep for hurricane resistance) … 12-foot left field wall with built-in scoreboard … pro netting for safety, padded backstop wall and dugouts with bat/helmet shelves … fenced and turfed bullpens … Seating features bleachers behind home plate … Air-conditioned press box and full locker room with showers below it.
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Netting Professionals/NFCA Softball Field of the Year Award
