SR announces baseball complex plans
Forest G. Waters Field at South Ripley High School has always been one of the premier locations for high school baseball around Southeastern Indiana and next season will solidify that as the Raiders have announced plans for a massive overhaul of the complex.
The Cincinnati Reds Community Fund alongside St. Elizabeth Healthcare has pledged $200,000 for this project which is set for groundbreaking in October. Both organizations selected South Ripley over the summer in an effort to support a community-driven renovation and overhaul project.
“The South Ripley community is a perfect choice for our next regional field project,” Reds Community Fund Executive Director Charley Frank said. “There’s tremendous passion for baseball and softball, and outstanding leadership from the entire school district. We’re thrilled to be making a major investment in Southeastern Indiana.”
South Ripley High School hosted an evening for the community last week which laid out the plans for the project and its funding. While several features were announced, key features set for this renovation include the installation of a state-of-the-art turf infield along with turf bullpen areas, a new batting cage with a turf base and proper field drainage in the outfield. Other highlights consist of multipurpose plugs to enable both baseball and softball to be played at the complex, a new windscreen and signage and a new sound system for the facility.
Potential field designs also point to the possibility of an “SR” logo to be embedded in centerfield and a sponsorship logo which would be available behind home plate for a donating business. Designs were submitted to the school by The Motz Group and support a playing surface and complex that improves the quality of play and minimizes long-term costs and maintenance demands.
“This is a dream come true for me,” South Ripley High School Principal Derk Hutton noted. “As the principal at South Ripley, a former baseball player here and a baseball enthusiast, I couldn’t ask for anything more. To partner with the Reds to renovate our hometown field is truly something special.”
That October projection for groundbreaking will be dependent on additional funding through the community. South Ripley Community Schools will look to garner funds through community outreach, sponsorships, grant funding and self-funding.
Those wishing to learn more about sponsorship for the field or the school’s commemorative brick project that will be featured at the complex, can reach out to South Ripley. Project completion is anticipated for the beginning of the 2026 spring season.
