RAPID CITY, S.D. – Construction is well underway on a multi-million-dollar renovation of Pete Lien Memorial Field, a project local organizers say will transform the facility into a premier destination capable of drawing major regional athletics and boosting local sports tourism.

Backed entirely by private donors led by Rob Mudge and Pete Lien, the overhaul of the Rapid City Post 320 baseball home represents a multi-year vision coming to life.

The upgrades are designed to work synergistically with nearby Post 22 baseball facilities, creating a high-level sports hub across the parking lot that will allow Rapid City to host larger, higher-caliber regional events.

“It’s a destination baseball field,” Rob Mudge, one of the primary project donors, said. “And now when you have a destination baseball field here and a destination baseball field across the parking lot the tournaments that we get here will be bigger and higher-level baseball.”

“It’s meant to be synergistic to Post baseball throughout the whole region,” Pete Lien said. “But helpful, beneficial to Rapid City.”

Mudge said the new field will include amenities like upscale restrooms, shaded seating, locker rooms for both team and the umpire, and a nursery. The field will be state-of-the-art with new field, sound system and lighting and focused on the community.

“We’re trying to make the baseball game not a baseball game but a family event,” Mudge said. “So that everyone can come and enjoy it.”

Rob Mudge discusses the renovation project on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, beside renderings of the final project.

Construction on Pete Lien Memorial Field, home of Rapid City Post 320 baseball, started in mid-August.

“We’re excited about it, we’re grateful to our donors Pete Lien and RPM and we’re excited for the opportunity to have this for our program and the kids in our program,” Rick Wit, president of Post 320 baseball said.

Phase 1 of the project, running about $4 million – is expected to be completed in January – will replace the field’s natural surface with modern artificial sports turf. The new artificial surface will utilize organic infill instead of standard crumb rubber to keep the playing surface cooler during summer heat.

“There are only six fields like this in the United States right now and four of them are in major league baseball,” Mudge said.

The field design will also feature a removable pitcher’s mound and adjustable base distances, enabling the facility to host softball and Little League baseball tournaments in addition to Post 320 games.

“It’ll give us some flexibility to do some of that, absolutely,” Wit said.

Phase 2, anticipated to begin next year, will focus on surrounding facility infrastructure. Planned additions include a new stadium seating area, crow’s nest, concession facilities, and locker rooms.

Mike Jansen, Head Coach, Post 320, said he and players are excited about the flexibility the new field brings to off-season training and how the new surface and facility will impact play. Players will be on the field by around the first of the year, weather permitting, he said.