Belhaven’s Jim McLeod Field underwent multi-million-dollar renovations ahead of the 2024 season, reflecting a major investment in Belhaven’s nationally recognized softball program.
The field was named the Netting Professionals Division III Softball Field of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. “We are excited to have a facility to match the excellence and elite status of our softball program,” says Belhaven Director of Athletics Scott Little. “It is exactly what our softball student-athletes and coaches have worked to build across the years.” The renovations were funded mostly by supportive outside donors.
“It all adds up,” Little says. “It’s a tremendous gift, and a lot of people graciously came to support the vision.”
Belhaven Head Coach Kevin Griffin echoes that sentiment. “We look at this facility as a reward for all of our hard work and status as a national contender for the past 15 years,” he says. Griffin, Little, Belhaven University President Dr. Roger Parrott, and Chief Financial Officer Sheryl Vittitoe began meeting with construction and architectural companies in March of 2023. By October of that year, they had acquired all the necessary permits to begin construction. They completed phase one of renovations by January of 2024, giving the softball team a brand-new facility to start off their season.
One of the largest renovations included the installation of a turf field, which offers the benefits of less rain damage and easier cleaning procedures, reducing long-term financial strain on field maintenance. Turf also provides a more flexible surface for players to run and slide on. Bold, permanent university logo marks are part of the design, giving players and fans a true home-field advantage.
Another major improvement to the facility was stadium lighting. Prior to the 2024 season, all the softball team’s training sessions and games took place during the day, which interfered with the team’s class and work schedules. Lighting up the playing surface has been an enormous advantage for the team, allowing them round-the-clock access to their facilities and flexibility with scheduling.
Improvements to the dugout areas consist of heaters and fans installed in the home dugout ceiling, bullpens outside the dugouts, and in-house restrooms. However, the players may argue that the most important additions to the home dugout were the Sonic Ice Machine and water filter.
Additional renovations include outfield fence padding displaying the program’s numerous championships and accomplishments, an expanded seating area, and a new press box that will house the program’s multi-camera Playsight broadcasting system.
An unblocked section of the outfield fencing allows fans to view the game from a hill just outside the field, where many Belhaven students and athletes have hosted cookouts and showed their support for the university’s softball program. “That’s the kind of atmosphere we want for our students and our fans,” says Little.
As the program settles into its first phase of renovations, Coach Griffin continues to organize his visions for phase two, which is set to include an indoor hitting facility, a locker room attached to the home dugout, and additional parking space behind the field for spectators.
Griffin and Little credit the Belhaven softball team with building the support system over the years that made these renovations possible, stating that this project was like a reward for the team’s dedication and passion for the sport. Little says, “There’s so much work they have to put in and things that they have to overcome to put themselves in that place. With the work that they’ve done, they deserve this kind of facility.”
Belhaven fought hard against East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) in the championship series, but despite a strong effort, they fell short, with a 9-5 loss in Game Two. Still, the Blazers’ fighting spirit was evident throughout the series.
Pitcher Kennedy Carruth’s contributions on the mound and at the plate, combined with third baseman Allie Gordon’s leadership and record-breaking performances, set a new benchmark for the program. Coach Griffin, now in his 15th season, earned his 449th career win and expressed his pride in the team’s accomplishments: “Our players showed unmatched heart and determination. They’ve set a new standard for this program, and their resilience on the field is a testament to their hard work. I couldn’t be more proud of how this team fought through every challenge this season.”
The Belhaven softball program closed its triumphant 2024 season as Collegiate Conference of the South Conference Champions and NCAA Division III National Runners-up, setting multiple team and player records. Their amazing 47-10 finish showcased their talent, resilience, and ability to perform under pressure. The wins marked the most in a single season since the 2011 season. The Blazers earned their fourth straight NCAA Regional bid and reached their third consecutive Super Regional.
These accomplishments have made Coach Griffin the winningest Belhaven softball coach in program history. The team has come out on top as the number-one pick in the 2025 CCS Preseason Poll, entering the season with new faces and high expectations.
Griffin explains that the newly renovated facility not only highlights the program’s unwavering support system but also plays a crucial role in recruiting. He states, “I like to give our players a Division I experience at a Division III institution.”
