First Tennessee Fields Sports Complex Draws Thousands Annually
Construction company co-owner and youth sports coach Mark Neel had a dream that became a reality in 2005‚ when baseball teams first took the field at 10 groomed‚ Bermuda grass layouts on Fisher Steel Road in Cordova.
Except for occasional rain delays‚ the action at First Tennessee Fields has barely stopped since.
Although he died in 2007‚ Neel’s company‚ Gameday Baseball‚ continues to run the sports complex for youths aged 6 to 21. Teams from all over the Mid-South‚ ranging from T-ball to college level‚ compete on the fields in league play or tournaments.
When not on the field‚ the players enjoy the arcade and food court in the clubhouse. Spectators sit in comfort under awnings shading them from the sun. Those needing a break can watch two games at once on six TVs in the Grizzlies Den Sports Café or relax in the spa.
Former college baseball coach Joe Flatt oversees operations at the ballpark with a full-time staff of four plus 80-100 kids helping out. He coordinated five sets of youth baseball Super Series in summer 2007. “Teams came from as far away as Nebraska and California and all over the South‚” he says.
Sales and Marketing Director Eric Howard is responsible for bringing in the ball fans and recruiting sponsors. “Without community support‚ this place wouldn’t be possible‚” he says.
The Healthy Kids Foundation‚ the charitable affiliate of Gameday Baseball‚ holds clinics at First Tennessee Fields‚ teaching Memphis-area youngsters about baseball‚ health and nutrition.
In keeping with Neel’s vision‚ his wife Stacy and other investors have plans to serve youth involved in other sports‚ including hockey‚ basketball and volleyball. The proposed expansion project is in the planning stage for land across the street‚ and will include additional sports facilities‚ a family-oriented restaurant‚ a hotel and entertainment complex.
