Bill Beck Field
Bill Beck Field is a baseball venue located on the campus of the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island, United States. It is home to the Rhode Island Rams baseball team, a member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference. The field was built in 1966 and is named after former Rams baseball and football coach Bill Beck.[2] It has a capacity of 1,000 spectators.[3]
The Beck[1] | |
| |
| Location | University of Rhode Island Campus; Tootell Road, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41.484958°N 71.537513°W |
| Owner | University of Rhode Island |
| Operator | University of Rhode Island |
| Capacity | 1,000 |
| Field size | Left Field: 330 feet (100 m) Left Center Field: 375 feet (114 m) Center Field: 400 feet (120 m) Right Center Field: 375 feet (114 m) Right Field: 330 feet (100 m) |
| Surface | FieldTurf (2009–present) Natural grass (1966–2009) |
| Scoreboard | Electronic |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1966 |
| Renovated | 2000–2002, 2007–2009 |
| Tenants | |
| Rhode Island Rams baseball (NCAA D1 A-10) (1966–present) | |
The field is located behind Mackal Field House, the home venue of Rhode Island's men's and women's indoor track & field teams.[4]
Renovations
In 2000, extensive renovations to the field began. The playing surface was leveled and resodded, and a new sprinkler system was added. In 2001, the field's dugouts were replaced. In 2002, an electronic scoreboard was installed, two batting cages were added down the right field line, and the field's fencing was replaced.[1] Later, matching batting cages were added down the left field line.
In 2007, a $1 million donation to the baseball program led to $1.4 million renovations on Bill Beck Field. Completed in time for the 2009 season, a new backstop, scoreboard, fencing, and bullpens were constructed. Also, a new FieldTurf surface was installed.[2]
Other uses
In 2013, the field was used for the final game of the America East Tournament, after rain and scheduling conflicts forced America East Conference officials to move the game from its scheduled venue, Edward A. LeLacheur Park in Lowell, Massachusetts. In the game, Binghamton defeated Maine, 4–0.[5][6]
The venue is also used for other amateur tournaments.[7]
References
- "2005 Rhode Island Rams Baseball Media Guide" (PDF). Rhode Island Sports Information. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
- Facilities Archived 2011-05-26 at WebCite at gorhody.com, URL accessed May 16, 2010.
- "2012 Rhode Island Baseball Quick Facts" (PDF). GoRhody.com. Rhode Island Sports Information. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-06-19. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
- "Bill Beck Field". ProvidenceJournal.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-19. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
- "Baseball Championship Game Postponed Until Sunday". BUBearcats.com. Binghamton Sports Information. May 25, 2013. Archived from the original on August 24, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- Jordan, Glenn (May 26, 2013). "College Baseball: Maine Falls in America East Championship". OnlineSentinel.com. Waterville, ME, USA: Morning Sentinel. Archived from the original on August 24, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- "Rhode Island Sports Group Summer Baseball". Archived from the original on August 24, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2013.