Liberty University moved into Worthington Stadium during the 1979 season after playing and practicing at other fields throughout the city of Lynchburg for four years. At the time, the Flames moved to Worthington Stadium, it was named Liberty Field.
On May 3, 1986, the field was officially named Worthington Field after former Liberty Baseball Coach and Athletic Director Al Worthington. The Flames posted a 19-3 win over Maryland in the inaugural game.
Worthington came to Liberty in 1974 after playing professional baseball with the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins. He built a strong base for the program and recruited former major leaguers and Liberty players Sid Bream, Lee Guetterman and Randy Tomlin.
Worthington posted a 343-191 mark at Liberty as the Flames moved from the NCCAA level all the way to the NCAA Division I ranks under his leadership. He also piloted Liberty to three fifth-place finishes at the NAIA World Series from 1981 to 1983.
The name was changed from Worthington Field to Worthington Stadium during the 1995 season. Worthington Stadium presents one of the nicest fields on the East Coast. It was recognized in 1998 by Sports Turf Magazine as the “Diamond of the Year” in college baseball. The Flames have an overall record of 475-214-4 at the facility since its inception in 1979.
A state-of-the-art clubhouse opened in 2003 adjacent to Worthington Stadium. It was the first of a two-phase renovation project. The first phase included locker facilities, restrooms, indoor batting cages, private boxes and a team room. The second phase will include additional seating for 600-700 more people and stadium lighting. March 28, 2008 marked the inaugural night baseball game at Worthington Stadium. The No. 18 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and the Flames squared off in each team’s Big South Conference opener, with the first pitch taking place under the lights at 7 p.m. Despite a stadium-record 3,183 fans attending the historic game, Liberty dropped the contest, 5-3 in 11 innings.
During the summer of 1999, a 5,200 square-foot hitting area was constructed along the left field side of the stadium. It is complete with lighted batting cages and modern hitting equipment. The field received a face-lift as new Bermuda grass was laid out in the infield. During the winter of 2000, a new netting backstop was put in place and a new sound system was purchased for the stadium.
In 2006, new flag poles along with flags featuring each of the Big South Conference schools were placed along the outfield fence in both left and right fields. Last season, a state-of-the-art field turf collar was installed around home plate, along with a refurbished scoreboard and windscreens down each line.
