Wheeler–Watkins Baseball Complex
Wheeler–Watkins Baseball Complex is a baseball venue in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. It is home to the Alabama State Hornets baseball team of the NCAA Division I Southwestern Athletic Conference. The venue is named for two former Alabama State baseball coaches, Herbert Wheeler and Larry Watkins. Opened in March 2011, the facility has a capacity of 500 spectators.[1][2]
| Full name | Herbert Wheeler–Larry Watkins Baseball Complex |
|---|---|
| Location | 915 South Jackson Street, Montgomery, Alabama, United States |
| Coordinates | 32°21′39″N 86°17′17″W |
| Owner | Alabama State University |
| Operator | Alabama State University |
| Capacity | 500 |
| Field size | 330 ft. (LF) 375 ft. (LCF) 400 ft. (CF) 375 ft. (RCF) 330 ft. (RF) 8 ft. (outfield fence) |
| Surface | Bermuda grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 2011 |
| Opened | Spring 2011 |
| Construction cost | $3.9 million |
| Tenants | |
| Alabama State Hornets baseball (NCAA DI SWAC) (2011–present) | |
Naming
On February 17, 2012, the facility was dedicated to Herbert Wheeler and Larry Watkins, two former Hornet baseball coaches. Wheeler coached the program from the 1960s to 1981. Watkins, who played under and coached with Wheeler, coached the program from 1982 to 2011. Watkins had over 500 career wins by the time of his retirement, the most of any Alabama State baseball coach.[3]
References
- "Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex". BamaStateSports.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-28. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
- "2012 Alabama State Baseball Media Guide". Issuu.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-28. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
- "Alabama State Dedicates Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex". BirminghamTimesOnline.com. The Birmingham Times. 16 February 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-05-28.