Passing Marble Falls ISD bonds with new baseball park sends same directive

Now that the Marble Falls Independent School District bond propositions passed, district officials are wasting no time in turning a vision of the buildings for extracurricular activities into a reality.

Of the $172.2 million bond package that voters approved, $12.515 million is going to athletic facilities and $26.050 million is going to the multipurpose facility.

Right after the results of the election were known May 3, Dr. Jeff Gasaway, Marble Falls ISD superintendent, said the two projects that will be built first are the new drive at Highland Lakes Elementary School to have better traffic flow and a new baseball park.

The reason for the new baseball park is because the multipurpose facility will be built on the current Scearce Baseball Field. The Mustangs must have a home diamond first. Projected cost is $6.53 million.

“We’re still in the early planning stages, but here’s what I can share: architects and our bond oversight team are finalizing scope and design details now,” Gasaway said of the various parts of the props. “Once those plans are set — likely this summer — we’ll develop a detailed construction calendar. That schedule will sequence projects to minimize disruption to campus operations and community events. We hope to have a detailed calendar available to share in the near future.”

Baseball head coach Tyler Porter said he hopes to be included in the planning of the new baseball park.

“I need to get with (Assistant Superintendent Stan) Whittle about it because, honestly, I would like me and him to be the two voices in it because he’s a baseball guy,” Porter said. “And I’ve been down this road before. I’ve been doing it long enough that baseball facilities that get built by non-baseball people tend to not work out well or they miss out on some key parts.”

A 1996 Marble Falls graduate, Whittle is thought of as one of the top athletes in Mustangs history. He played baseball at Lubbock Christian University and was on the Mustangs staff 20 years ago as a coach before making the move to education administration.

Some elements of the baseball park are a given by today’s standards – artificial turf, high netting that protects the fans from foul balls, dugouts that have barriers to protect players, racks for helmets, bats and gloves. The stadium will have bleachers for 270 complete with restrooms, concessions, a 200-square-foot office, lockers and storage. A press box also is included

But the current Scearce Baseball Field had some elements Porter would like to replicate. Top of the list is that it is a pit. That means players must walk down small hills to get inside the facility, while fans walk in and sit down in the stands. Because fans are higher up, there’s not a bad seat at the stadium. There’s also a warning track in the outfield so players know they’re getting close to the wall. Behind the wall are trees.

That’s also true for the Mustangs’ clubhouse. They enter it through the dugout by walking down stairs.

He noted that part of the reason Scearce Field is that way is because of the natural landscape when it was created at least 30 years ago.

“I love the character of our park,” Porter said. “I want to have the sunken dugouts, and we call it the clubhouse, but the locker room coming right off the dugout is huge. That’s so good for a coach. Pregame, rain delays, like that stuff we had to go through with China Spring last week.”

Rain delays during game two of the bi-district series against the Cougars May 1-2 forced players and coaches to seek cover.

“We went and hung out in our locker room with the air conditioning,” Porter said. “We got a TV in there. We’re in our clubhouse and China Spring is in a gym locker room. So having that locker room right there off the field in the dugout is huge for our kids.” 

He’d also like to have covered cages that he can turn into tunnels that can be divided off for pitchers and batting practice with artificial turf. Those dividers would also be movable to create a large space to do some defensive drills. That covered area would have portable pitching mounds.

The current facility has two.

“Something where we can throw a lot of bullpens at once,” Porter said. “Those are the biggies. A really good netting system. I’d like to have new cages. If there’s a way to rig it to where we can get work in, even if there was bad weather, that would be very nice. The whole purpose of your facility should be to make sure that your kids can get work in, no matter the weather.”

He noted that during the season when bad weather struck, they’d go into a gym. During the 2024 season, the Mustangs missed 38 percent of their practice time on the natural grass, which equated to about a dozen practices. During the 2025 season, he estimates the Mustangs had around 55 practices.

“If you’re missing those, that’s a big deal,” the coach said. “Give your kids space to where we’re never losing time.”

Porter acknowledged the new multipurpose facility will have space for baseball. But having his own covered facility means that the softball program can go into the multipurpose facility, while baseball can stay in their facility. In essence, there’s no waiting or taking turns.

Ideally the new baseball clubhouse has 20 full-size varsity lockers and about half-size lockers to accommodate 60 players. A ping pong table, a couch and a television also would be there.

And the facility has solid internet, Porter added.

He also wants to make sure large poles aren’t in the way of fans being able to see the action on the field.

“I just want it to have character,” Porter said. “Simple is fine. As long as we can get in the quality reps and make our kids better, then we have good stuff. I hope they get it done as quickly as they can. I’m excited about it.”

CAPTION: An aerial view of Mustang Stadium. Courtesy Marble Falls ISD

When the 2006 bond passed to build a new football stadium at the high school, school district leaders at that time envisioned a facility that was known as the crown jewel of the Highland Lakes. It included a new competition track with nine lanes, artificial turf and lines for football and soccer, a two-story press box complete with internet and other enhancements, reserved seating as well as a brand new field house and new sidewalks that led directly to the field.

When it opened in 2009, it was everything leaders said it would be and more. While other school districts have since added artificial turf and competition tracks, not all of them have the other features. To this day, Mustang Stadium is on par with some of the top Class 5A and 6A stadiums in central Texas and beyond.

Now Marble Falls ISD residents have once again told leaders these extracurricular facilities are important to them by passing the bonds. Gasaway said he and his team got the message loudly and clearly.

“Props C and D reaffirm our community’s commitment to excellence — in athletics, academics and every extracurricular pursuit,” he said. “By investing in these new facilities, MFISD is sending a clear message: we value the whole‑child experience. We understand that stadiums and tracks are more than concrete and turf — they are stages for leadership, teamwork and community spirit.”

Prop C includes building new boys and girls locker rooms at Max Copeland Gym as well and turning the current auxiliary gym into the new band hall and the current band hall into the new home for cheer and the Startlettes dance team.

In its simplest form, the new multipurpose facility will have a state-of-the-art weight room, an indoor practice facility that has a 70-yard turf, and a gym.

When he began talking about the elements of the multipurpose facility, Gasaway was more specific.

It will have lines set up for football and soccer and a clearly marked 50, which is important for the Mustang band as those members practice their performances for marching contests. Drop-down netting will create spaces that baseball and softball can use for hitting and pitching as well as mounds and circles. Football kickers and soccer goalies will have areas where they can do their own workouts. A track lane is another feature so those athletes have an area where they can work.

The gym replaces the auxiliary or PE gym that was part of the original high school that opened in January 1988. That auxiliary gym will be repurposed as the new band hall. The current band hall will become the new dance studio for cheer and the Starlettes dance team.

“Building a multipurpose facility of this caliber tells everyone — visitors, prospective employees and families — that MFISD is deeply invested in our students’ success, both in and out of the classroom,” Gasaway said. “It signals that we understand the role athletics and extracurriculars play in shaping character, fostering community and drawing people together. In essence, it says we are a district that backs our words with action — placing real value on teamwork, wellness and opportunity. Anyone walking through our campus will know immediately that our community takes pride in every aspect of the student experience.”

Athletic director Keri Timmerman said he was watching as the vote count was made public. He was especially encouraged to see the extracurricular pieces pass by large margins.

He called the additions “tools” that help him and the staff get players prepared to play. And if the community has raised the bar for success, he and the other coaches embrace that.

“It was really exciting to see our community stand up and stand out,” he said. “We have that expectation – the kids and the community. They’re raising the bar for greater and better. We’re preparing to move as quickly and effectively as possible. All they’re doing is adding to the success. We want to move forward quickly and effectively on all those items.”

CAPTION: The home stands and press box at Mustang Stadium. Photo by Ralph Arvesen