Central Oregon high school baseball programs need help – and turf fields could be their savior
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Baseball and softball are two of the most beloved sports in Central Oregon, but they come with a significant challenge — weather.
Unlike sports played on hardwood or artificial surfaces, these games depend on well-maintained dirt fields and grass, making them vulnerable to rain, snow and other poor conditions. That’s why, in many areas across the state, schools have transitioned to turf fields.
Across Oregon, there are over 30 high school turf fields and more than 100 total turf fields. These surfaces provide a reliable and safe playing field, regardless of weather conditions. However, Central Oregon lags behind, with only one turf field, located at Vince Genna Stadium in Bend.
For baseball coaches in Bend, this lack of turf is more than an inconvenience — it’s a significant obstacle. Unlike football and basketball teams, which have ready-to-go playing surfaces, baseball teams need extra resources to maintain their fields.
Without turf, coaches spend countless hours and tens of thousands of dollars annually on upkeep, yet receive little to no financial support from the Bend-La Pine Schools.
“We are asked as coaches to treat this as part of the classroom, like we’re in a classroom," Mountain View Head coach Ryan Johnson said. "And I totally get that, but it’s hard to run a classroom when you don’t have any funds coming from the district.”
In 2023, local coaches met with the school district to discuss a plan for improvements, but so far, there has been no progress.
One major hurdle in getting turf installed is Title IX compliance. Both baseball and softball fields must be turfed, to ensure equal opportunities for male and female athletes.
“But turf is definitely a need,” said Johnson. “It’s not just for maintenance; the biggest thing is the safety of the kids.”
With Bend High School’s baseball field being repurposed into a parking lot, due to the school’s expansion, the district is building a new field for the team. There is hope that this new field will feature a turf infield, along with a matching turf softball field.
However, funding remains a critical issue. The baseball and softball teams need to raise $250,000 by July to make this project a reality. Currently, they have only raised $50,000, meaning they are in a race against time.
One thing is clear: The investment in turf fields is one the baseball community desperately needs.
Bend High coach, Quinn Clair noted, “There’s been a couple of years where we’ve put at least 20 grand worth of quick-dry and turf mats on the field just to get it playable.”
For now, the baseball and softball teams in Bend continue their fight for better playing conditions, hoping that community support and district recognition will lead to long-overdue improvements.
