Bill Aker Baseball Complex
The Bill Aker Baseball Complex is a baseball venue located on the campus of Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky, United States. It is the home field of the Northern Kentucky Norse baseball team, a member of the NCAA Division I Horizon League. The complex is named for Bill Aker, who was the head coach of Northern Kentucky baseball from 1971 to 2000. It has a capacity of 500 spectators.[1]
| Full name | Bill Aker (Brian Burkhart) Baseball Complex at Friendship Field |
|---|---|
| Former names | Friendship Field |
| Location | Johns Hill Road and Kenton Drive, Highland Heights, Kentucky, USA |
| Coordinates | 39.028748°N 84.465385°W |
| Owner | Northern Kentucky University |
| Operator | Northern Kentucky University |
| Capacity | 500 |
| Field size | Left field: 330 feet (100 m) Left center field: 365 feet (111 m) Center field: 395 feet (120 m) Right center field: 365 feet (111 m) Right field: 330 feet (100 m) |
| Surface | Artificial turf |
| Scoreboard | Electronic |
| Construction | |
| Renovated | 2013 |
| Tenants | |
| Northern Kentucky Norse baseball (NCAA Division I Horizon) ?–2005, 2009–present | |
History
Prior to 2001, the venue was known as Friendship Field. In 2001, it was renamed the Bill Aker Baseball Complex at Friendship Field, in honor of former Northern Kentucky head coach Bill Aker. Aker had led the program from its 1971 inception to the end of the 2000 season and had an 807-572-1 overall record.[2][3]
From 2006 to 2008, the Norse played home games at what was then named Champion Window Field in nearby Florence.[4][5][6]
The facility underwent $500,000 renovations in spring 2013, immediately prior to Northern Kentucky's first season in Division I.[7] The infield grass was replaced with artificial turf. A new outfield fence, foul poles, and drainage system were also added.[2] Prior to the 2017 home opener the outfield, warning track and bullpens were also resurfaced with artificial turf, making the entire playing surface synthetic.[8][9]
References
- "NKU Athletics Facilities". NKUNorse.com. Northern Kentucky Sports Information. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
- "Bill Aker Baseball Complex Receives Upgrades". NKUNorse.com. Northern Kentucky Sports Information. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
- Stanton, Phil (September 10, 2012). "Northern Kentucky Begins Division I Era". CollegeBaseballInsider.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
- Mulcahey, Matt (February 4, 2006). "NKU Baseball Slides into New Home". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
- "Amateur Baseball Schedule at Champion Window Field Announced". OurSportsCentral.com. March 25, 2008. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
- "Bellarmine vs. Northern Kentucky Box Score". Athletics.Bellarmine.edu. Bellarmine Sports Information. April 5, 2009. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
- Clifford, Brook (November 15, 2012). "Norse Baseball Field Undergoes Transformation". The Northerner. Archived from the original on November 20, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
- "Bill Aker Baseball Complex". Northern Kentucky University Athletics. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
- Powell, Melissa (February 2, 2017). "Baseball begins synthetic turf renovation at Bill Aker Baseball Complex". Northern Kentucky University Athletics. Retrieved April 17, 2022.