Baseball on the Northern Beaches is about to ramp up its game with improvements to the grounds and 4 renewed diamonds at Aquatic Reserve in Frenchs Forest.

Poor drainage after rain had long disrupted play but this has now been fixed by redesigning and reconstructing the field, including adding approximately 6,000 tonnes of topsoil to reshape and regrade the surface. The improved profile will drain more effectively, so the field can return to play sooner after heavy rain.

Last year, Field 1 also received a new drainage system improving the playability of this field significantly.

With a strong commitment to sustainability, Council installed a new irrigation system that harvests water from the roof of the Warringah Aquatic Centre to ensure the turf continues to perform throughout extended dry periods.

Aquatic Reserve Baseball Park is the jewel in the crown of the Manly Warringah District Baseball Association (MWDBA), as well as the home of Manly Eagles Baseball (State League) and Forest Baseball -the largest baseball club in NSW. 

Joe Weller, Secretary of MWDBA is thrilled by the ground improvements.

“Our Association caters for kids from the age of 4 to 65+, at all levels of experience (or inexperience!). We currently have around 1,300 players and Aquatic Baseball Reserve is not only our primary venue to stage games, but is also essential for skills training, social interaction and fund raising.

“To know that we can now rely on a more robust playing surface means we can confidently grow the game of baseball by scheduling more competitions and marketing our sport more aggressively.

“There are very few facilities in NSW that feature 3 adult and 2 junior fields, let alone offer the premium quality of grass surface that Aquatic Baseball Reserve now does. We believe that we can now attract state-wide representative competitions to be staged here. It's a huge boost for baseball on the Northern Beaches," Joe Weeler said.

The baseball season runs from September through to March for junior players and all year round for senior players (15 years and older).

The grounds will re-open this weekend following the 12-month renewal project by Council.

This project was funded by Council through its sportsfield renewal program continuing our commitment to the 2017 Northern Beaches Sportsground Strategy.