The Beginning
After the decision to bring athletics back to Lake-Sumter was made in 1998, construction immediately began on The Hawks Nest. Situated behind the college itself, the baseball and softball fields produce picture perfect backdrops to their playing area. The softball diamond sits up against the Wildlife Preserve on campus, creating a natural batters eye. Silver Lake is the beautiful background behind the baseball diamond which allows for a constant breeze throughout the day.
The Batting Cages
Nestled between the fields are covered batting cages. Three individual hitting areas reside under the roof. A short cage for tee work, a medium cage for front toss and finally a full length cage featuring two dirt pitching mounds for baseball. The hitting area also features lights throughout for hitting early in the morning, late at night or on overcast days.
The facilities also feature a press box between the two fields. It features a concession stand on the bottom level and a state of the art media area on the second level. Both fields have their own set of speakers for starting lineups, music and all in-game announcements. The press box also houses both scoreboard control systems.
The Baseball Diamond
With the left and right field fences reaching 345 feet and centerfield going out to 410 feet, the baseball diamond offer a big outfield area. With beautiful bermuda grass covering the playing surface, LSSC offers one of the best NJCAA baseball fields in the state. Each side offers a bullpen along the fence line. The diamond also hosts local high school and out of state colleges looking for a ball field to call home for a few days.
The Softball Diamond
The softball diamond has recently been upgraded. Additions include an eight foot warning track around the outfield and full length netting along the front of the dugouts. The outfield dimensions are 200 feet to the left and right field corners, while centerfield is 205 feet. Behind the left field fence sits the bullpen, which can accommodate up to three pitchers at once. On the visiting side sits a hitting area for tee work and a two pitcher bullpen.
Address:
9501 US HWY 441
Leesburg, FL 34788
Please Note: It is Lake-Sumter State College policy that the only animals allowed on campus are certified service animals.