If baseball still reigns as the national pastime, it is nowhere more evident than at the Whited Baseball/Softball Complex on the SUNY Brockport Campus. Pristine fields of dreams they were this spring as the college teams boasted successful seasons and Section Five high school baseball was played there.

The complex was dedicated on July 13 in honor of Clark V. Whited, a professor, coach administrator and athletic trainer who led the college baseball team for 22 years from 1947-68. Whited, his wife, Fran, their children, grandchildren and many extended family members were present at the ceremony that Mrs. Whited said was, "truly a tribute to all the early physical education faculty."

Whited, a retired Army major who received the Bronze Star in World War II, began his career at SUNY Brockport in 1946. He is credited with initiating the Sport Science and Sport Management programs and served as chair of the Men’s Physical Education and Sport Department. Whited was among the first inductees (1985) of the Golden Eagle Athletic Hall of Fame and has received the SUNYAC Service Award, the Sports Management Recognition Award and the Outstanding Service Award from the Brockport Alumni Association.

Whited compiled a 128-93-1 record as SUNY Brockport’s baseball coach. During the past two seasons, coach Mark Rowland has led the baseball team to 23-14 and 20-14 records. Also successful have been the women’s softball teams of the past two seasons coached by John Dumaw. In 2000, the women went 20-15; this year they posted a 30-15 record and placed second in the ECAC North Tournament.

The fields are shared with the Brockport Central School District, according to SUNY Brockport President Paul Yu. "Brockport Central has become a true partner. Without their collaboration this wouldn’t be possible."

In fact, the Brockport school district grounds crew, under the direction of chief Willie Sweeting, constructed the fields, in exchange for high school teams being able to use them. School Superintendent Jim Fallon said the college and high school varsity field are arguably the best fields in the county.

Phase I of the baseball complex construction has been completed with an irrigation system, new dugouts, bullpens, fencing and sod.

"They were fields as bad as you could play on," said SUNY Brockport Vice President Ray Di Pasquale. "Now the fields are as great as you can play on."

There is more work to be done. Still to be built are two 2-story brick press boxes and scoreboards. "We have the fields," said SUNY Brockport athletic director Lin Case. "When we build the pressbox and scoreboards, we’ll have it all."