Ohio Wesleyan Baseball Alumni Help Jumpstart Turf Field Project

On Thursday, November 14, Ohio Wesleyan University baseball alumni hosted a fundraiser in Tennessee at Adele's Nashville restaurant (1210 McGavock St Nashville) to support the construction of a much-needed turf field for the OWU Bishop’s baseball team’s field, Littick Field. This facility upgrade comes with a hefty price tag of $500,000, a challenging goal for any program, but especially for a Division III baseball team.

The event brought together numerous former players and friends of the program, creating a memorable evening that showcased the legacy of Ohio Wesleyan baseball. Notable alumni in attendance included Howard Greenstone, a successful restaurant owner, and Tim Corbin, head coach of Vanderbilt University’s baseball team for the past 22 seasons. Both made generous contributions, highlighting the program's impact on their lives.

Attendees of the Ohio Wesleyan University Baseball Fundraiser in Nashville, TN. Photo By Seth Duckworth

For years, the idea of a turf field has been a dream for the OWU baseball program.

 "Since my freshman year, Coach Mott has talked about getting a turf field," shared Joe Liss, a current senior on the team. "But progress was slow, and we couldn’t seem to get the ball rolling. Now, as a senior, I’m thrilled to see our generous alumni stepping in to make this vision a reality."

Coach Mott has always said, “Leave things better than you found them.” Seniors on the team explained that the sentiment sits deeply with the team, and this project represents a significant step toward shaping the program’s future. While the new field won’t be completed overnight, the turf will be installed within the next five years.

The evening wasn’t just about fundraising, it was a reminder of the enduring legacy of OWU baseball. 

Joe Liss, who attended the event, said, “We’re so thankful for the opportunities our alumni present us with. It shows that this program is bigger than just yourself, it's a legacy. How we decide to shape it is up to us as players.”

Without the generous alumni, Greenstone and Corbin and countless others, this project might still be confined to blueprints. Their contributions, along with supporters, are paving the way for the next generation of Bishops to have an exciting four years at Ohio Wesleyan. The turf field will help the program’s competitiveness while continuing to build on its rich history and tradition.

Ohio Wesleyan baseball's future is bright, and the commitment of its alumni ensures that the program’s legacy will endure for years to come.