HillTopper Softball Field

West Liberty University, West Virginia

J.T. Sauer & Associates, LLC

   5996 Suite J. Route 60       

  McKees Rocks, PA 15136

Pre-Development:  Practice Field with natural grass on clay soils.

In 2009, J.T. Sauer & Associates was contracted to develop Phase II of West Liberty University's sports facility.  Phase II included the removal of an old football practice field and the construction the Lady Hilltopper Softball Field.  The primer softball field includes is a natural grass field designed with a dynamic underdrainage base which handles high volume rain events like a artificial turf system.  To complement the drainage design the seed mixtures used sport a long root system with a very aggressive growth habit providing a thick turf system with high infiltration rates.    The infield and warning track are made of premier mixes use on fields such as PNC Park and Citizens Bank Park which have limit water absorption characteristics while providing the very best play surface.  The dugouts are designed to blend Phase I and Phase II together as the concrete roofs sport the same font and color scheme as the football field endzones, pulling the park together into one sports complex.  In the end, the West Liberty Lady HillToppers move into the 2010 season on the best field in their division.

Overall view of field

Dugouts:  Railings design to match the heavy gauge of the sports netting poles.

Backstop:  Concrete backstop with foam padding and sports netting anchor the Lady HillTopper Field.  The use of sports netting provides premier spectator viewing.

Dugouts:  J.T. Sauer & Associates worked with Solomon Architecture & Design Group on the design and construction of the dugouts.