OKLAHOMA CITY — The James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Va., has been selected as the 2011 Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America Complex of the Year presented by Stabilizer Solutions, Inc., the ASA announced today. In addition to receiving the award at ASA’s 80th National Council Meeting next month in Myrtle Beach, S.C., the Moyer Complex (1000 Union Street) will also receive approximately $2,000 in field maintenance products from Stabilizer Solutions.
“We are extremely honored and humbled to receive this national award from the ASA. It is truly a reflection of not only our dedicated staff at the Moyer Complex, but also the relationship we have cultivated over the years with the folks at ASA,” said John Shaner, Salem Parks and Recreation Director. “We both try to go out of our way to put the players and the game of softball first, and this type of recognition shows that our hard work pays off. The City of Salem is very appreciative of his honor.”
Previous award winners include Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station, Texas, in 2010, Heritage Park Softball Complex in St. Joseph, Mo., in 2009, Twin Creeks Softball Complex in Woodstock, Ga., in 2008 and Freedom Ridge Park Complex in Ridgeland, Miss., in 2007. The Field of Dreams Complex in Las Cruces, N.M., won the inaugural 2006 award.
In June 2011, the Moyer Complex hosted training camps for the USA Softball Women’s National Team and the Junior Women’s National Team as they prepared for international play. Most recently, the Moyer Complex hosted the 2011 ASA Fast Pitch Girls’ Class A 10-Under, 12U and 16U Eastern National Championships and the ASA Slow Pitch Men’s Class D Eastern National Championship. The 2012 ASA Girls’ Class A 14U and 18U Fast Pitch Eastern National Championships, ASA Men’s Class C Fast Pitch East National Championship and the ASA Men’s Eastern Class C Slow Pitch National Championship are slated to be held in Salem, Va.
“When our events are hosted at the City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department’s James I. Moyer Sports Complex, we know that they will be conducted by a professional staff in a state of the art facility appropriate for our athletes, our coaches, our umpires and all of their supporters,” said ASA Executive Director Ron Radigonda. “The James I. Moyer Sports Complex is extremely worthy of the ASA Complex of the Year designation. Congratulations to everyone involved with making the Moyer Complex one of the best destinations for our organization.”
In addition to hosting both ASA and USA Softball events, the Moyer Complex is home to the Salem High School Girls Fast Pitch Softball Team and the Roanoke College Softball Team and hosts a variety of other youth, high school, college and adult action. The NCAA Women’s Fast Pitch Softball National Championships for Division II and Division III and Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournaments have also been hosted at the facility.
“Usually sports fields are asked to meet the needs of one or two levels of play,” said Jon Hubbs, President of Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. “We are proud to recognize the James I. Moyer Sports complex for taking on the challenge of satisfying all levels of play from youth to collegiate softball, a rare feat.”
The Moyer Complex boasts four fields, which are built around the three story Moyer Tower. The ground level of the Tower houses a permanent concession stand. Among the features of the second floor are the tournament headquarters and meeting space, both of which have phone and wireless Internet hook ups. The third floor of Tower houses the site supervisor’s office, public address (PA) announcers, official scorekeepers and clock operators. Audio units are located on Level 3, which enables playing the National Anthem or music on all four fields or on an individual field. There is also a master PA system which enables an override of all other PA systems.
The fields have a 50/30 lighting system, which is equal to the lighting for Triple A baseball stadiums. Each field is equipped with electronic scoreboards as well as permanent spectator seating with the option for additional portable grandstands. All fields are located near permanent men’s and women’s restrooms. For the convenience of athletes, coaches and umpires, all dugouts also have restrooms and water fountains. Dugouts are also equipped with intercom systems to the third floor of the Moyer Tower.
In addition to hosting softball, the facility also hosts baseball and soccer games throughout the year. The Moyer Complex has a large playground area with playground equipment, a basketball half-court, horseshoe pits, a volleyball court and a sheltered area with picnic tables and grills. A circular paved pathway outside of permanent fence that borders Moyer Complex and the Roanoke River can also be used for walking, jogging, and exercise trail for all ages.