As the kings and queens of the diamond in the Lorain County League, Keystone baseball and softball teams will not have to travel far to play.
On Sept. 20, Keystone celebrated its grand opening for its new baseball and softball diamonds, on the campus of its high school.
“It is something that a lot of people in the community have wanted for a really long time, but it took the right people in the right position to make this happen,” Keystone athletic director Jeff Holzhauer said.
Led by the Keystone Athletic Teams Supporters (KATS) organization, $1.2 million was put into making it possible.
Photos of Keytone’s softball and baseball diamond grand opening on Sept. 20, 2025. (Mark Perez-Krywany – The Lorain Morning Journal)
Half came from KATS, while the other half came from the school district, upon board approval.
Once the funds were met, local labor forces were deployed to construct it.
Like it is a team effort to win a game, it was a team effort, with several moving parts to make it possible.
“I am not going to be able to thank everybody,” Superintendent Zach Weagley said. “The amount of individuals who impacted this project and brought (vision) to life today, it is truly remarkable. It just shows how powerful our community is.”
The diamonds are adjacent and they each have identical backstops and netting behind home plate.
They also have dugouts made of stone, scoreboards, and state-of-the-art drainage systems.
Photos of Keytone’s softball and baseball diamond grand opening on Sept. 20, 2025. (Mark Perez-Krywany – The Lorain Morning Journal)
The community engagement was highlighted by a large crowd that attended.
Community leaders, school administrators and coaches were given a platform to speak and show gratitude.
“I want to remind everyone that this move is not about closing another chapter,” Keystone coach Anna Saxton said. “It is about carrying forward and honoring the legacy for Keystone softball. Every inning played here will be a continuation of the tradition that has built this program to what it is today. Thank you for your generosity.”
Holzhauer, who has spent the vast majority of his life in LaGrange, has always thought the campus was missing something in the spring.
“People would roll into this campus and they would say all of these great things. I always thought there was one thing missing and it is this. So, we are not missing anymore,” Holzhauer said. “We have everything we need for our student athletes. Now, the next step is making things a little bit nicer.”
Photos of Keytone’s softball and baseball diamond grand opening on Sept. 20, 2025. (Mark Perez-Krywany – The Lorain Morning Journal)
The track and field team holds meets at Wildcats Stadium. Previously, it was the only ongoing athletic event on campus in the spring.
The softball team played at LaGrange Community Park (LCP) and the baseball team played at Penfield Park.
2025 Lorain County League Baseball Coach of the Year, Bert Fitzgerald described the transportation as a burden.
“(Traveling to Penfield Park) has been a lifestyle. We have been very lucky not to have accidents,” Fitzgerald said. “We have kids show up late, or had gotten some tickets. It is now a blessing to all be part of this campus. We spent a lot of time practicing in the parking lot anyway (if it was too wet).
Transportation was an ongoing issue, as the baseball team had to figure out the carpool logistics to play five miles away from campus.
With the new diamond, Keystone’s new home is a stroll through the parking lot.
Photos of Keytone’s softball and baseball diamond grand opening on Sept. 20, 2025. (Mark Perez-Krywany – The Lorain Morning Journal)
“What is this going to look like on a spring day when you have track going on, with baseball and softball going on,” Holzhauer said. “Kids are going to be able to walk back and forth, supporting each other. That is ultimately what we want.”
According to Saxton, her team is not fully parting ways with LCP, but can still use it for doubleheaders, junior varsity and the Prebis Memorial Classic.
“There is so much Wildcat pride when you come to this campus,” Saxton said. “Six years ago when I was interviewing for this job, I drove through the campus and saw these beautiful buildings and saw a bunch of grass. Six years ago, I did not know what it all entailed. I questioned ‘What more could be done here?’ It seemed very empty. As KATS and our school contribute to the athletes, we are so excited that the Wildcat pride is coming back.”
Following the presentation, softball and baseball teams held first pitch ceremonies.
Each sport had three throwers, which included contributors and former players, like Lauren Shaw (UCLA) and former MLB player and Lake Erie Crusher Brandyn Sittinger.
Last year, Keystone’s baseball and softball teams were crowned Lorain County League champions, as their coaches were awarded Coach of the Year and had a player win Player of the Year.