11/17/09 - MAJOR UPGRADES AT HOWARD LAKE FIELD - Phenix City, AL

It is a widely known fact around the ACCC, that the playing surface of what players, fans, and coaches affectionately call "The Lake", is one of the finest in the nation. Well, the surroundings are about to start matching that description as well. The Pirates had a brand new, first class outfield wall constructed late this summer that was "just the beginning", according to Head Coach Adam Thomas, of things to come. The massive new wall replaces the unique, but sorely outdated fence that stood for more than 20 years. "It gives it a different look, but wow, what an amazing difference", said Thomas, who is thrilled about the new structure. The wall stands 8 feet from foul pole to power alley on either side of the field and slopes up to 16 feet in center field giving playersa perfect "batting eye" background to hit in front of. The surface of the wall is painted black, and it has CV's columbia blue outlining the top.

This winter, side walls are also going to be constructed that will not only enclose the playing surface, but redefine the foul territory dimensionsand change the bullpen locations to more convenient places. New dugouts are also in the works at The Lake, and the expansive new units are scheduled to be completed by the start of the fall of 2010. The new dugouts will expand from 50 to nearly 70 feet in length, while stretching from 10 feet to 15 deep, and they will be set several feet down into the ground, creating a shadier, cooler environment for the players and staff. They will also include bathrooms and storage on either side and will be built with brick to match the rest of the school's buildings.

Early plans for a field house/locker facility are also in the works, but specific details are still being discussed with several parties. As early as the fall of 2010, its a safe bet that The Lake, now known only for its pristine surface, will also be known as one of the finest collegiate baseball facilities in the southeast.