Central Methodist University dedicated the newly renovated Estes Field Saturday with a ribbon cutting at home plate. 

The multi-million dollar project features renovations to both Estes Field and Cox Softball Complex, which began this past summer. The baseball field now boasts a new turf field, backstops, netting, bullpens, and extended outfield walls.

Saturday’s ceremony further symbolized the partnership between CMU and Fayette High School. The Falcons also call Estes Field their home field. And the new all-weather turf will allow much more use by the high school team.

A highlight of Saturday’s dedication was the ring ceremony for the 2021 CMU Eagle baseball team. That team put together the best season in program history, winning both the Heart Regular Season and Tournament Championship with a final record of 49-8. The Eagles cruised through their Opening Round Bracket in O’Fallon, securing a spot in the Avista NAIA World Series for the first time ever. Central posted a 3-2 record in the Series and finished as the NAIA National Runner-Up

The project was made possible in large part due to an anonymous donation that specified the importance for the field to be used by both Central Methodist and Fayette High School. That partnership was on full display during Saturday’s dedication ceremony.

Central Methodist Vice President Julee Sherman and Fayette Superintendent Brent Doolin together cut the ribbon at home plate to officially open the field for play.

Central Methodist Vice President for Enrollment Management & Athletics, Joe Parisi, and Superintendent Doolin threw out ceremonial first pitches.

Prior to the opening day ceremony, CMU players had the opportunity to practice twice on the new field. Following the ribbon cutting the CMU Reserve program played the first-ever game on the new field against Baptist Bible College, splitting the two-game series.

CMU baseball coach Nate Breland summed up the new field with straightforward adulation. “It’s perfect,” he said.

Because the field doesn’t have dirt on the base paths, Breland said the ball hops off the turf more consistently. “You’re getting true hops, true reads, true bounces all the time. When you’re fundamentally good, you’re not worried about that high hop that’s going to handcuff you. You can count on getting 100% of actual reads on balls. It makes for fairness of play for both teams.”

Breland, a former player at CMU, has led the Eagles for the past eight seasons. Entering the 2022 season, Breland holds an overall record of 274-131.

Andy Oeth, who has served as assistant Fayette baseball coach for the past two years, will lead the Falcons next year. He said having a field for his team means the world for the Falcon program that has struggled to host games and even practice outdoors in past years.

“Spring baseball in Missouri is so difficult to manage for the simple fact that the weather changes on a dime,” Oeth said. “The biggest issue that we typically have is having a place to play and having a place to practice. Being able to be outside on turf, even if the weather is not great, is really going to make a big difference for our guys. 

“We are so thrilled the partnership between CMU and Fayette is able to continue, and continue in a way that’s going to be beneficial for both schools,” Oeth said. “CMU is a huge part of our community, and we want to really thank them for being able to have us included on this project and the donors who chipped in for it. For it to be a joint project makes us feel really good.”

Coach Breland’s obvious emotions over the new field and its potential impact on future programs were on full display Saturday. “I’m just excited,” he said. “I really felt that Andy and I had a great grasp on everything we wanted to do, and how it’s going to benefit both programs. Watching Fayette’s community come down, and so much of our alumni is here…it just shows that the growth of this program is going in the right direction.”