Bauer Field

NC Wesleyan’s baseball diamond was named “Bauer Field” in the fall of 1988 after Dr. Raymond E. Bauer, North Carolina Wesleyan’s first baseball coach. Dr. Bauer began laying out the field in 1961. With some help from local contractors and players, Dr. Bauer had the field ready for its first game in the spring of 1962. On October 1, 2005, the Bishops retired Bauer’s #18 jersey.

The field has gone through many changes over the last forty years and is still considered one of the finest small college facilities in the nation. Most recent additions include a three-foot high brick wall with a 40-foot net behind home plate for a new look backstop. Next, Bauer Field has seen its bullpen areas enclosed. Both pens include a new four-foot elevated bench. The new fence runs parallel to the right and left field foul lines giving it a Fenway Park look.

New championship signs have also been added to the back of the press box revealing the Bishops Baseball History. The signs include 18 Conference Titles, 11 Regional Titles, and the 2 National Titles the program has won over the past 25 years.

The field measures 324 feet down the left field line, 369 feet in the left center gap, 397 feet to center, 371 feet in the right center gap, and 329 feet down the right field line. Left Field has a large sign reading “Bauer Field,” while a 25’x 40’ Batters Eye is located in center field for a complete black backdrop. The entire fence surrounding Bauer Field is covered with black windscreen and protective yellow tubing.

Surrounding the field are three sets of aluminum benches that give the field a stadium style appearance. The field also includes a 13’ warning track and a Rain-Bird irrigation system. Fifty pine tree surround the perimeter of the park and provide a gorgeous backdrop to the entire facility. Bauer Field’s beautiful hybrid Bermuda 419 tifton grass allows for year round play and gives the field a “golf course” appearance.

The park has 50-foot dugouts complete with padded benches, individual player lockers, water coolers, and padded flooring. Located behind the dugouts is a “hitting area.” There are five batting cages with one cage housing an Iron Mike Pitching Machine. Multiple tee and soft-toss areas are found around each cage.

Finally, the facility has a two-story press box that houses media and statisticians on the top floor and a large concession area on the bottom floor. For fans’ convenience, a concession stand is located under the press box and two restroom facilities are located by the entrance.