About the Chris Lane Memorial Field
The Chris Lane Field is a Little League Baseball field created in memory of Chris Lane. It has had it’s grand opening on February 17th 2024 in Strathmore Heights, in Melbourne’s north-west, 10+ years in the making. It is Australia’s only dedicated Little League Baseball field.
Who was Chris Lane?
Chris Lane grew up in Oak Park, Melbourne and was educated at St Bernard’s College West Essendon, where he was well liked for his humour, humility and leadership qualities.
Chris was a talented baseball player and intelligent young man. Chris had developed his baseball at Essendon Baseball Club, where he won the hearts of club members and supporters. Chris was dedicated to the sport, including undertaking additional conditioning programs at the Victorian Institute of Sport.
After winning a student athlete scholarship to Redlands Community College, in El Reno, Chris moved to America in August 2009. He subsequently transferred to study Finance at East Central University Oklahoma in 2012 on a baseball scholarship, where he was playing in their starting lineup in 2013.
Tragedy Strikes
Chris Lane was tragically killed while out on a run in small town Duncan, southern Oklahoma. On the 16th August 2013, Chris Lane set off for an afternoon jog when he was shot in the back by unknown, bored teenage joyriders. Chris suffered severe injuries to his heart and lungs, and died on the side of the road.
He was survived by his American girlfriend of four years, Sarah Harper, his parents Peter & Donna Lane and family, and heartbroken Melbourne & American communities.
Baseball and Community respond
The senseless nature Chris Lane’s sudden death caused great sorrow in the United States and Australia. Expressions of empathy were passed to Chris’ family from many places, including from the highest US and Australian government officials, the Victorian State Government, Moonee Valley City Council, school and baseball communities.
Community funding helped Chris’ family and Sarah bring Chris home to Australia. In 2013, Major League Baseball with Essendon baseball club and Moonee Valley City Council (MVCC), proposed a new Junior Sports Field in Chris Lane’s honour. MVCC plans for this field were approved in 2014. Major League Baseball recognised Chris in a game held in Sydney Australia in March 2014. In March, 2014 both of the US colleges Chris had attended retired his jerseys, No. 2 at Redlands and No. 7 at East Central, during a ceremony at East Central.
Funding for the field has been sourced from many places, including Major League Baseball, the Victorian State Government, community funding via the #CL40 support group, and the people of Moonee Valley via the MVCC. In 2021, the MVCC approved a major contribution to the budget for the development of the field. Over the last 8 years, EBC President Tony Cornish, with the support of Councillor Naralle Sharpe saw the vision through to an approved MVCC budget.
However, there was still a gap
The plans for the Chris Lane Memorial Field include lighting. The cost of this infrastructure is significant and a great industry contribution has been made.
Amazingly, Musco Lighting Australia has worked with EBC and MVCC, and has agreed to donate all the lighting equipment for the field. This donation includes all the lighting system with poles, controls and monitoring, plus 10 years warranty!
Essendon Baseball Club gratefully acknowledge the generosity of
Musco Lighting Australia in making this part of the Chris Lane Memorial Field possible.
About the Field
Plans have been prepared for tender by the MVCC, including the layout and location of the field, its surface, grandstands and surrounds. The result will provide a state of the art Little League facility for junior baseballers and we feel it will be a fitting tribute to Chris Lane.
Chris Lane Field
Work is finally completed!
Work began on the CLF in October 2022. Some major obstacles have been overcome, including removal of a massive amount of in-ground concrete and delays due to record breaking rains.
The Spectator Viewing Area mounds were constructed and poles for the Fence Line and High Foul Poles are installed.
Tony Cornish & MVCC worked tirelessly to bring the project home. The project scope were adjusted, when required, and the field was delivered to provide a world class facility.
The construction of the field was provided by a fantastic delivery partner. Brothers Joe and Anthony Selvaggi, of Express Demolition, met requirements and solved each problem for practical and strategic outcomes. Backed by a skilled team, the field became a reality.
Lighting Poles and lights were commissioned by MUSCO Lighting – such an amazing contribution.
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