Point Stadium in Johnstown, Pa. will host the PSAC Baseball Tournament next year and in 2013.
Lock Haven, Pa. - Johnstown's Point Stadium will play host to top-notch NCAA Division II baseball for the next four springs as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) have reached agreements to hold their respective baseball championships at "The Point".
The 2011 and 2013 PSAC Baseball Tournaments are set for Johnstown, while the WVIAC will contest their 2012 and 2014 hardball championships at historic Point Stadium.
"This is a great chance for all of us involved to work together for the best interest of both leagues and the three championship sites," said PSAC commissioner Steve Murray. "We are pleased the two leagues could cooperate in this agreement"
Point Stadium has hosted stars such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jackie Robinson in the ballpark's long history. It has also served as the host of the All American Amateur Baseball Association's national tournament for over 60 seasons.
An $11 million renovation completed in 2006 brought a new artificial turf playing surface, new seating areas, and electrical upgrades. The unique facility is considered one of the top baseball facilities in the East and is highlighted by a 30-foot high left field wall that has been likened to Fenway Park's Green Monster.
City of Johnstown Public Works Director Darby Sprincz, who oversees Point Stadium, is pleased to ink the agreement. "The City of Johnstown is happy and excited to host the PSAC and WVIAC on a rotating basis over the next four years. It’s a nice boost for our economy and the quality of baseball is very good."
Both leagues held their 2010 championships at Point Stadium. California (PA) swept their way to the PSAC title, while Seton Hill claimed the WVIAC crown a week later. The 2010 PSAC tournament marked the first time in league history that the PSAC baseball championship was contested in Johnstown. Prior to that, PSAC baseball championships have been contested in, among other places, Lancaster, State College, Williamsport, Boyertown and Moosic, located between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.
Logistical and scheduling concerns made holding both events during the same year at Point Stadium difficult in future seasons and led to the unique three-way agreement between the City of Johnstown, the PSAC, and the WVIAC. Beginning next year, the two conferences will hold their championships at “The Point” every other year, with each league holding their championship at an alternate location in the off-years.
"We are excited to return to Point Stadium in 2012 and 2014", stated WVIAC commissioner Barry Blizzard. "Johnstown has been a wonderful host over the past three years and we're glad to reach this agreement with the City of Johnstown and the PSAC. I appreciate the cooperation from the city and Steve Murray that made this possible. This will be a win-win situation for each of us."
The 2011 and 2013 WVIAC Baseball Championships are set for Linda K. Epling Stadium in Beckley, W.Va. The 2012 and 2014 PSAC Baseball Tournaments are scheduled to be held at Pullman Park in Butler, Pa., pending arrangements being finalized in the coming months.