Sandhills Global Youth Complex Holds Grand Opening

The Sandhills Global Youth Complex in Lincoln, Nebraska, held its official grand opening ceremony on April 26, with members of the community and former Major League Baseball players celebrating a project expected to bring between $15–20 million to the area each year.

The all-turfed complex will host local, regional and national baseball and softball tournaments and will be home to Nebraska Wesleyan University’s baseball and softball teams. The facility will also provide local youth baseball and softball instruction and programming; and is home to Homer’s Heroes, a division of Lincoln Youth Baseball for boys and girls with physical or intellectual disabilities.

“The addition of the Sandhills Global Youth Complex to our community’s tourism skyline will have a profound social and economic impact on Lincoln for years to come,” said Jeff Maul, vice president and executive director of Visit Lincoln. “By providing a first-class venue for kids and their families to enjoy as they pursue their dreams on the baseball and softball fields, our community will be the backdrop for memories that will last a lifetime.”

The complex is made possible through a public/private effort that includes the City of Lincoln, Lancaster County, West Haymarket JPA, and several private sector funders. The opening ceremony included remarks from Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird; as well as former Cornhusker players and World Series champions Alex Gordon and Darin Erstad.

“The Sandhills Global Youth Complex team couldn’t be more excited to officially open the complex with this fantastic grand opening celebration of all the people that provided leadership, expertise and great generosity to our project,” said Joe Fagler, executive director of Sandhills Global Youth Complex. “We look forward to an exciting 2025 season and being the home to kids of all abilities to play the wonderful games of softball and baseball.”