Drury baseball to return to Meador Park through renovation project

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The Drury University Panthers baseball team is coming home.

The team is slated to return to Meador Park for games starting with the 2024 season after some $1.5 million in renovations to the field that's four miles from the Drury campus, according to a news release. The baseball team has played at U.S. Baseball Park in Ozark since 2016.

Drury’s university advancement office collaborated with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board on a yearlong fundraising effort to pay for the renovations. The field will be named Mark Worley Field through 2033 after a donation from developer Bryan Magers, who chose the name to pay homage to a friend and former baseball player who died in July. John Cooper of Harry Cooper Supply and an anonymous donor were among other major contributors, officials said.

“This project truly exemplified a team effort. Numerous respected members of our community answered the call, along with young alumni and parents making their first major contributions,” said Marie Muhvic, Drury executive vice president for university advancement, in the release. “This project not only enhances the Drury student experience but will also improve facilities for community access and supporting the excellent programs organized by the Park Board.”

Planned improvements to Meador Park include a replacement of the grass field with a turf field; a new outfield fence; scoreboard improvements; new signage and advertising options; a restoration of the main entrance and dugout enhancements.

Mid-America Sports Construction, based in Lee’s Summit, has been tapped to lead work on the project in coordination with AstroTurf, of Georgia, according to the release. Carnahan-White Fence Co. has been hired for the metal fencing, and Own. Inc. is on board for engineering work. The estimated 12-week project is expected to start as soon as city permitting is obtained, according to school officials.