Challis-Pauszek Field - Lawrence Central Bears
- Marc Viquez
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Challis-Pauszek Field 7300 E 56th St Indianapolis, IN 46226
Year Opened: 2024 Capacity: 1,000
Lawrence Central's New Home for Baseball
Challis-Pauszek Field is the home ballpark for the Lawrence Central High School baseball team in Indianapolis, Indiana. It seats a few hundred fans comfortably from dugout to dugout, including a synthetic turf field, bullpens, picnic tables, and seating from grass berms to the outfield area of the adjacent soccer stadium.
The stadium is named after former LC Athletic Director Don Challis and former head coach and team doctor Robert Pauszek. The high school was built in 1963, and the baseball stadium followed soon after, but home plate was originally positioned in the left-field corner.
The current ballpark, which debuted in 2024, was part of a large project to improve athletic facilities in Lawrence Township. It was funded by a $25 million bond that paid for new synthetic turf at the baseball, softball, and soccer fields. The fund paid for new grandstands, concession stands, and a press box at the high school.
The new stadium helped the school host semi-state high school baseball games in 2026 and showcased its design that would fit perfectly in several summer collegiate leagues.
Food & Beverage 3
The concession stand is near the entrance of the facility and offers the usual items commonly found at a high school sporting event. Fans can grab nachos, hot dogs, chili dogs, pretzel bites, candy bars, and suckers. They can wash it down with a variety of Pepsi and Gatorade products, hot cocoa, and coffee.
The stadium also offers, at times, Chick-fil-A and Jagger fried chicken sandwiches; both fast food restaurants offer a small percentage back to the school with the purchase of one of their items. The stadium also served Graeter’s Ice Cream in a few varieties for an added treat.
Atmosphere 4
High school sports bring out the most passionate fanbase, especially during sectional and regional tournaments. A game can feature quite a few fans from the city or town rooting on their team to victory. Do not expect to see any on-field promotions, mascot races, or overzealous PA announcers shouting at the top of their lungs when a foul ball lands in the parking lot.
The stadium complex houses the baseball diamond and the soccer field behind right field. A 500-seat grandstand, protected by a safety net, offers a close view of the action on the field. A small scoreboard is located behind the stadium in left field. Grass berm seating is along the concourse, and a small area of grass seating is located behind the third base side of the field. available along the first baseline
With the grandstand filled, several fans climbed atop the soccer field bleachers for a view of the game. The makeshift outfield terrace seating was an unusual feature, but it proved necessary to handle the sizable crowd.
Neighborhood 3
Lawrence Central High School is off East 56th Street at I-465, about 20 minutes east of downtown Indianapolis and 20 minutes south of Fishers. The school is in a residential area, but a mile away from the Fort Benjamin Harrison district, which features fast-food chains Culver's and IHOP, along with local restaurants, including La Hacienda, Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza, Cafe Audrey at Fort Ben, and Phaya Thai Street Food.
If in town during the spring or summer, there are other sporting events nearby worth visiting, including the Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field, the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the Fishers Freight (indoor football) at Fishers Event Center. Check schedules and times to optimize your sports travel schedule in Indianapolis.
Fans 4
This was a semi-state game; family members, classmates, alumni, neighbors, and residents could be found inside the stadium. Mater Dei fans were dressed in red, while the Sullivan faithful wore hues of purple. The grandstand was evenly divided in school colors.
The passion and pride were felt throughout the game, featuring a no-hitter being taken into the last inning, the game being tied by the road team, and play at the plate that denied the home team the victory. This was all that was needed to keep the fans interested in the game that went extras on the night of our visit.
Access 3
The campus is easily accessible from I-465, and the stadium is in the back with plenty of parking spaces. The sports complex is spacious, offering fans ample room to walk around, but certain areas of the field are blocked by the bullpens and thick metal fencing. However, a spot in the grandstand offers a great view despite a rather thick protective netting.
Return on Investment 4
The ticket prices are $12 per session, and kids under 5 are admitted free. The baseball is well played at this level of the IHSAA Tournament and is worthy of the price of the ticket. The best baseball teams of the state are competing, and emotions run deep not only on the field but in the stands.
Extras 2
The ballpark earns a point for its natural grounds, offering fans terrace seating, an inviting concourse, and views atop the grandstands of the soccer field.
Final Thoughts
I did not know what to expect from a semi-state game played at a local high school, but it was well beyond my expectations. Challis-Pauszek Field is a beautiful facility with an atmosphere to match it. It is a ballpark good enough to house a summer collegiate team in the Great Lakes League, and much finer than a few D-I and D-II college ballparks in Indianapolis. It was a pleasant surprise and one that should not be overlooked when in the area.
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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com
