The Sandhills Global Youth Complex held its official grand opening ceremony on Saturday, April 26, as members of the community came out to celebrate a project long in the making.
Program highlights included remarks from emcee Charlie Colón, President of the Sandhills Global Youth Complex Board of Directors; Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird; Lancaster County Commissioner Rick Vest; Jim Hansen, Company Outreach Coordinator at Sandhills Global; Alex Gordon, former Husker and MLB standout; and Darin Erstad, former Husker player, head coach and MLB standout.
“The Sandhills Global Youth Complex team couldn’t be more excited to officially open the complex with this fantastic grand opening celebration of all the people that provided leadership, expertise and great generosity to our project,” says Joe Fagler, Executive Director of Sandhills Global Youth Complex. “We look forward to an exciting 2025 season and being the home to kids of all abilities to play the wonderful games of softball and baseball!”
The all-turfed complex will host local, regional and national baseball and softball tournaments and is home to Nebraska Wesleyan University’s baseball and softball teams. It will also provide local youth baseball and softball instruction and programming; and is home to Homer’s Heroes, a division of Lincoln Youth Baseball for boys and girls with physical or intellectual disabilities.
With games now taking place at the Sandhills Global Youth Complex, it is estimated that a full-year schedule will produce upwards of $15 million to $20 million in economic impact for the Lincoln community, cementing its place as a vital attraction to bring visitors to Lincoln. [Sandhilsl Global Youth Complex]
The first images showing what Leeds United's Elland Road stadium could look like if expansion plans are given the go-ahead have been released.
Proposals to modernise and expand the ground, taking its capacity from 37,645 to about 56,500, were backed by Leeds City Council's executive board last week.
The club, which secured its return to the Premier League on Easter Monday, said the regenerated stadium would meet the demand for tickets, with 26,000 supporters currently on its season ticket waiting list.
People could find out more about the plans at an exhibition at the club's Centenary Pavilion on 22 and 23 May, as well as at other events, a club spokesperson said. [BBC]
For pro sports in Orange County, these are the worst of times. The Angels last appeared in the playoffs 11 years ago, the Ducks seven years ago.
The Ducks, embracing a full rebuild, scored more points last season than they had in six years. They still posted a losing record and fired their coach. The Angels, declining a full rebuild or an all-in push, are back in last place.
Today, we bring good news to the loyal and long-suffering sports fans of Orange County. In announcing a $1-billion renovation of Honda Center, the Ducks are unveiling what might be the most fan-friendly policy ever adopted in our car-centric local culture: easy parking. [LA Times]
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