Built Back Better!

Leicester’s baseball community is celebrating a long-awaited milestone this autumn with the completion of vital improvement works at Western Park, supported by the BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) Facilities Fund.

The joint project between the Leicester Blue Sox and Leicester Diamonds has transformed one of the UK’s longest-established community baseball venues, making it safer, more accessible, and game-ready for the 2026 season.

First launched in 2022 under the “Build Back Better” initiative, the project set out to restore the Western Park field following the disruption of the pandemic years. With financial support from BSUK and additional crowdfunding, the clubs invested in over eight tonnes of specialist baseball dirt, unfired clay bricks for the pitcher’s mound, batter’s and catcher’s boxes, and minor repairs to the backstop fencing (originally installed in 2012 with support from a previous BSUK Facilities Fund grant).

After several delays caused by contractor issues and material shortages, the final phase of work was completed this month (October 2025) by volunteers from both clubs. They spent an entire weekend regrading and widening the infield cutouts around first, second, and third base, as well as reconditioning the pitcher’s mound, batter’s, and catcher’s boxes — which are now far easier to maintain thanks to the addition of clay bricks in 2022.

Plans are also in place to maintain and preserve the improved playing surface through regular off-season maintenance to ensure the benefits are felt for seasons to come.

“This project has been a true community effort,” said Matt Crawshaw, General Manager of the Leicester Blue Sox. “Dozens of volunteers gave their time and energy to get the field back to a safe, playable standard. We’re extremely grateful to BaseballSoftballUK for their support — this funding has made a real difference to grassroots baseball here in Leicester.”

The infield now features uniform 30-foot curved cutouts at each base, improving drainage, safety, and playability. The diamond also boasts an 18-foot regulation circular mound and a 24-foot circular home plate cutout. These upgrades address long-standing surface issues that had previously led to injuries, ensuring baserunning and sliding are now much safer with longer, flatter dirt run-ins to each base. The larger dirt infield should also minimise bad hops and make fielding groundballs a lot easier.

Katie Murray of the Leicester Diamonds added: “Having a well-maintained, inclusive facility makes it so much easier to attract new players — especially women and beginners who are trying baseball for the first time. We can now offer a much safer, more enjoyable experience for everyone.”

The project also benefited from ongoing cooperation with Leicester City Council, who manage Western Park and have supported the clubs’ efforts to maintain and develop the diamond within the site’s historical and environmental constraints.

With the field now restored and plans underway for further repairs to the backstop over the winter, both clubs are looking forward to a busy 2026 season — which will mark 20 years since the Leicester Blue Sox were founded and the Diamonds’ celebrating their fourth season.

Go Blue Sox! Go Diamonds!