Pender Sports Complex Receives Significant Upgrades Ahead of State Baseball Tournament

Photo Members L-R: Brandon Gutzmann (Summer Rec Representative), Robbie Welsh (Village of Pender Board Member), Shane Schuster (Legion Baseball Representative), and Mikayla Doht (PTECFF) 

Pender, Neb. (June 15, 2026) Visitors to the Pender Sports Complex this season will notice several improvements to the baseball and softball facilities, thanks in large part to funding provided by the Pender Thurston Education and Community Foundation Fund (PTECFF).

As Pender prepares to host the Nebraska Legion State Baseball Tournament, numerous enhancement projects have been completed to improve both safety and the overall experience for athletes, families and spectators.

The improvements began last fall with the installation of a new sidewalk connecting the parking lot to the grandstands, providing a safer and more accessible route for pedestrians. Additional upgrades continued this spring, including field improvements, painting projects and facility enhancements throughout the complex.

Among the most significant projects was the replacement of the Legion Field backstop, funded through a PTECFF grant. In addition, the west field received a new black perimeter fence after the previous fence had reached the end of its useful life. The project was completed just days before the season opener.

“The usage of the softball and baseball fields has increased tremendously over the past decade and there are so many individuals who help care for and maintain the fields and surrounding areas,” said Dee Moeller, President of the Pender Thurston Education and Community Foundation Fund. “We were grateful for the opportunity to partner with those dedicated volunteers and community members to fund necessary upgrades to the facilities prior to hosting the State Baseball Tournament.”

The improvements reflect PTECFF’s ongoing commitment to supporting projects that strengthen and enhance the quality of life in Pender and Thurston. Through grants and community partnerships, the Foundation invests in initiatives that advance the individual and collective goals of the community.

As Pender welcomes teams, families and fans from across Nebraska this summer, the upgraded Sports Complex stands as a testament to the power of community collaboration and investment.