Stacy Ann Baker Field dedicated following $3M donation

New softball field at Lyons Township High School honors late alumna and standout player

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:20pm

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A vibrant, cubist-style painting depicting a high school softball game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, capturing the energy and movement of the sport.The dedication of the new Stacy Ann Baker Softball Field at Lyons Township High School honors the memory of a beloved former player and inspires the current team to carry on her competitive spirit.Western Springs Today

In honor of his younger sister Stacy, who was a standout softball player at Lyons Township High School before tragically passing away in a car accident at age 32, Mike Baker donated $3 million to build a new varsity softball field at the school's south campus in Western Springs. The Stacy Ann Baker Field was officially dedicated on April 7, 2026, with Stacy's former teammates and coaches in attendance to celebrate her memory and the new state-of-the-art facility that will benefit the school's softball program for years to come.

Why it matters

The new Stacy Ann Baker Field represents a lasting tribute to a beloved former student-athlete, while also providing the Lyons Township High School softball team with a top-notch home field that will elevate the program and create many more memories for current and future players. The field's dedication was an emotional event that brought together Stacy's former teammates, coaches, and the community to honor her legacy.

The details

The vision for the new field began taking shape in the summer of 2023, when Mike Baker, a 1979 LTHS graduate who has worked at the high school since 1993, approached the school board and principal Dr. Jennifer Tyrrell with the idea. Baker worked closely with two of Stacy's former softball teammates, 1985 graduates Gianna Galanti and Laura Scafidi, to get their input on the design and features of the new field. The $3 million donation allowed for the construction of beautiful turf, a state-of-the-art video scoreboard, upgraded bleachers, a press box, and lighting, making it an attractive venue for postseason events.

  • The vision for the new field began taking shape during the summer of 2023.
  • Mike Baker first approached the District 204 school board in August 2023 and LTHS principal Dr. Jennifer Tyrrell the following month.
  • The Stacy Ann Baker Field was officially dedicated on April 7, 2026.

The players

Mike Baker

A 1979 LTHS graduate who donated $3 million to build the new softball field in honor of his younger sister, Stacy.

Stacy Ann Baker

A 1985 LTHS graduate, softball standout, and Brookfield native who tragically passed away in a car accident at age 32 in 1999.

Gianna Galanti

A 1985 LTHS graduate and one of Stacy's former softball teammates who provided input on the design of the new field.

Laura Scafidi

A 1985 LTHS graduate and one of Stacy's former softball teammates who provided input on the design of the new field.

Dr. Jennifer Tyrrell

The principal of Lyons Township High School.

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What they’re saying

“I wish I could have done this when she was playing. My father (John) loved softball and that's why my sister was in softball. However, thinking about it and actually doing it are two different things because you need the money.”

— Mike Baker

“It was kind of surreal because (Stacy) would have liked to play on (this field) for sure. In my mind, it was a done deal. It was just a matter of when it was going to happen and what it was going to look like. We don't have many things at LT that have names on it. (Mike's tribute) makes it just so much more memorable.”

— Gianna Galanti, 1985 LTHS graduate

“Her laugh. She had like a snort when you got her going. She was just so alive. You'd be outside your locker in school and she'd just be-bop up and be like, 'Hey, what are you doing?' She was really fast, athletic, great sense of humor.”

— Gianna Galanti, 1985 LTHS graduate

“What an amazing thing for Mike to do.”

— Laura (Wood) Mesmer, 1985 LTHS graduate

“As a teacher in District 102 and seeing my former players on the field, this has been an amazing sight to see. We're super-happy to see all of this and very proud of Stacy and the contribution she made to the softball world.”

— Michaeleen Nutley, 1986 LTHS graduate, softball coach at Park Junior High

What’s next

The new Stacy Ann Baker Field will host its first full season of Lyons Township High School softball games in the spring of 2027, providing the team with a state-of-the-art home venue for years to come.

The takeaway

The dedication of the Stacy Ann Baker Field represents a heartfelt tribute that will keep the memory of a beloved former student-athlete alive while also elevating the Lyons Township High School softball program. This generous donation from Mike Baker, Stacy's brother, demonstrates the power of community, family, and honoring those who have left an indelible mark.