New NWCC Baseball Complex dedicated to former coach
SENATOBIA, Miss. — Northwest Mississippi Community College celebrated a significant milestone on Thursday, Aug. 14, officially opening the new, state-of-the-art Castle Baseball Complex with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The $3 million, 10,000-square-foot facility is named in honor of former head coach and athletic director Donny Castle, a venerated figure in the college’s athletic history.
The event drew a crowd of college officials, current and former athletes, and community members, all gathered to pay tribute to Castle and the new facility. Board of Trustees Chair Cory Uselton welcomed attendees to the groundbreaking complex, which is designed to provide Northwest Rangers athletes with professional-level training amenities.
The complex features four indoor hitting and pitching practice lanes, a high-tech weight training area, and a modern locker room with retro-themed, lit-up lockers. The facility also includes offices for coaches, as well as uniform and equipment storage and laundry services.
“It’s a heck of a place,” Castle said at the ceremony, expressing gratitude to the college administration, coaching staff, and construction team. “We’ve come a long way.”
Castle, a Northwest Hall of Fame inductee, served the college for 19 years as an assistant coach before taking over as head coach for eight years. He led the Rangers to the MACJC Championship in 2000 and accumulated 271 wins during his tenure.
A native of Coldwater, Castle was a standout athlete at Coldwater High School before being drafted by the Washington Senators in 1968. He went on to play for the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees organizations. His successor, current baseball coach Mark Carson, was also in attendance.
“We have a four-lane hitting and pitching practice area, enclosed and heated for baseball and softball,” said Northwest President Dr. Michael J. Heindl, emphasizing the facility’s comprehensive features. “We have great weight lifting training area, uniform and equipment storage and laundry facilities, a locker room and showers for baseball players and our coaches’ offices in this amazing facility.”
The Castle Baseball Complex is a cornerstone addition to the athletic program, providing the Northwest baseball team with an elite training environment to help student-athletes hone their skills and compete at the highest level.
