The Joe Huston Memorial Sports Complex, located at 10120 SW Boones Ferry Road, just off Terwilliger Blvd., directly behind the Lewis & Clark College School of Law, is home to both Pioneer baseball and softball fields. The Huston Sports Complex is named in honor of Joe Huston, football coach at Lewis & Clark for seventeen seasons. As the plaque at the complex declares, Huston was a "friend, Coach-Athletic Director-Dean of Men" from 1947-1972.
Originally built as a practice and intramural facility, it was upgraded to become the permanent home of the Pioneer baseball and softball teams in the late 70's. Softball first began playing at "Huston Field" in 1979, having previously called Falcon Park their home field. Baseball moved from Sckavone Field (SE 22nd & McLoughlin) to Huston Field in 1980.
Both fields went through a major renovation ahead of the 2024 seasons. Lewis & Clark Athletics worked with Benchmark Contracting to replace their dirt-and-grass fields with state-of-the-art turf playing fields, along with new backstops, dugouts, fences and signage.
BASEBALL – Jerry Gatto Baseball Field
With their turf field, came a new name for the Baseball Field. The Pioneers hosted a a dedication for the Jerry Gatto Baseball Field as part of a celebration of the renovation of the complex on April 20, 2024. The field was named after longtime baseball head coach Jerry Gatto. He led the baseball program to five NAIA District II Championships and a trip to the 1990 NAIA Area I Baseball World Series. In addition to coaching the baseball team for over 20 years (1980-2002), he also served as the L&C Athletics Director (1989-91) and the department’s development director (1992-2002).Â
In 1993, a baseball pressbox, double-batting tunnels, and dugouts were added. A new scoreboard was put in right center in 2005. In 2010 the batting tunnels were upgraded to two 80 ft, covered tunnels that have been very useful for both baseball and softball. Also, dugout fences were added for player safety on foul balls.
For a few years the Pioneers used molded plastic seats in the bleachers that were once part of the seating at the Kingdome in Seattle, the former home of the Seattle Mariners. In a recent renovation the plastic seats have been removed for aesthetic and safety purposes.Â
The newly renovated turf field provides the Pioneers the ability to play and practice year round on a state-of-the-art playing surface. In addition to the renovations on the field, the Pioneer also have new more spacious dugouts and new backstops and fences, along with a new plaza built between the two fields.Â
SOFTBALL – Huston Sports Field
The Pioneers played their first season on their brand new turf field in 2024. The newly renovated turf field provides the Pioneers the ability to play and practice year round on a state-of-the-art playing surface. In addition to the renovations on the field, the Pioneer also have new more spacious dugouts and new backstops and fences, along with a new plaza built between the two fields.Â
Previous to the major renovation from 2024, new wooden grandstands were added to the softball side to improve the fans' game day experience. In 2005, a new scoreboard with full line-score display was installed at the softball field. In 2010 the batting tunnels were upgraded to two 80 ft, covered tunnels that have been very useful for both softball and baseball.
The field has great sight lines and a lush, green backdrop, making it an incredible place to take in an afternoon of Pioneer softball. The baseball field features traditional stadium seats behind home plate and bleacher seating down both lines.
