Aurora U. baseball headed back home

Aurora University's baseball team will find a new home in the city next spring, leaders said.

The Spartans lost their home field three years ago as the university, located on the city's west side, expanded its campus. Since then, the team has played at various locations, including Oswego High School.

Now it will return to Aurora with a new permanent home at city-owned Solfisburg Park on the east side.

A three-year renewable agreement between the city and Aurora University calls for school leaders to improve the facility to accommodate NCAA league games.

The university will invest nearly $60,000 for upgrades to Joe Bernard Field, including expanding dugouts and outfield fences, installing windscreens and foul poles and new signage.

In return, the Spartans will have full use of the park for their home games. The school also will use the field for practice and recruiting.

The city will pay for other minor upgrades and ongoing maintenance.

"It's great to have a home site," said Mark Walsh, the school's athletics director and former head baseball coach. "It's just nice to have your own place and develop that home field advantage."

The team has used the park's multiple fields for practice, allowing it to spread out and get more done, Walsh said.

In the past two decades, the team has made six trips to the NCAA Division III championships.

In 2006, city leaders spent about $1 million to improve the park and ball field. The Spartans' schedule shouldn't interfere with summer league or high school play, leaders said.

"For years, students and Aurora residents enjoyed watching our hometown team each spring," Mayor Tom Weisner said. "We felt it was important to bring Spartan baseball back home again."

The tentative agreement still needs approval from the city council and Aurora University trustees.