Hokie ClubFirst opened in December 2009 and named on September 1, 2015, the James C. Weaver Baseball Center is located just beyond the left field foul pole at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park. The facility was named in honor of the university's former athletics director, Jim Weaver, whose tenure from 1997-2013 saw tremendous development in the national profile of the university's athletic programs.
The facility, which players have 24-hour access, has now doubled in size from its original 8,000 square feet as part of the $20 million baseball home complex improvement and enhancement project that will be completed in February 2018. The one-level structure is now two stories and houses a brand-new first floor with the second floor remaining relatively the same.
The newest additions to the first floor of the center includes a 40-locker baseball team room and lounge, a restroom and shower area, a laundry room and equipment storage area, an athletic training room, and a team meeting room and video area that can double as a game-day space as the seats in the room are retractable.
The center's second floor features a versatile 70x70 enclosed batting cage with three retractable dividers. The space can be left as one large netted cage to work on defense and or throwing as well as be split into multiple batting tunnels.
The floor of the building is outfitted with field turf, which allows for a natural roll of the ball for such a purpose, while a permanent mound was added in the back of the batting stall on the south side of the center in 2013 allowing pitchers to work on their mechanics inside the building as well.
On three sides of the second floor of the center, the walls are equipped with large, garage-like doors that, when lifted, gives the area an open-air atmosphere. This provides a great view of English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park, giving the program the ability to use it for special game-day events as well.
The second floor has been redesigned to give the baseball staff its own meeting area and includes two large locker room areas and restrooms. To access the first floor, a stairwell and elevator have been added to the north side of the building.
English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park is equipped with video cameras on both dugouts, behind the plate and in center field that can film pitchers and batters from either side of the plate, from the back or the front. Originally located on the second floor, the center’s instructional video labs have been relocated to the first floor. The players can now view themselves on computer monitors in those labs for immediate feedback on form and execution.
The versatility of the center was on full display back in June of 2013 as the second floor served as the Media Center during the 2013 NCAA Blacksburg Regional. It housed the press conference area, a hospitality area, a viewing area and the work room for media personnel.
DIRECTIONS | James C. Weaver Baseball Center
260 Duck Pond Drive
Blacksburg, Va. 24061
From the north or east
Take Interstate 81 south to exit 118B, following US 460 west to Blacksburg.
From the south
Take Interstate 81 north to exit 118B, following US 460 west to Blacksburg.
From West Virginia
Take Interstate 77 south (West Virginia Turnpike) to exit 9. Exit and turn left onto 460 east. Follow 460 east to Blacksburg.
Once in Blacksburg
Use the 460 bypass around the downtown area. Follow 460 bypass to Exit 6 Southgate Drive (Va. 314). Take the second exit at the first roundabout to stay on Southgate Drive. At the second roundabout, take the second exit to turn onto Duck Pond Drive. On Duck Pond Drive, at the first stop sign, make a right on to Washington Street. Proceed less than a quarter-mile and make first right before passing the Virginia Tech greenhouses. Follow the road until coming to a "T" and make another right and the Baseball Center will be straight ahead.