PLANS to expand Farnham Park Baseball and Softball Complex have been revealed by the sports development agency BaseballSoftballUK.

The expansion will add a second international-standard baseball field to go with the existing facility and two softball fields.

The move will give Farnham Park the extra capacity to host baseball tournaments and enhance the development programmes in the region.

The new field will also have a diamond in the right corner which can be used for youth baseball or softball tournaments.

John Boyd is joint-CEO and head of development at BaseballSoftballUK. He said: “In just 18 months Farnham Park has become a flagship facility.

“It’s the centrepiece of our work to build an infrastructure that will enable the growth of baseball and softball toward our vision.

“The announcement means that we will be able to better accommodate new local and established regular players from across the country.

“The extra field and clubhouse will be the final pieces to ensure that we can offer an excellent experience to everyone using the complex.” Farnham Park is first dedicated baseball and softball facility in the UK. It officially opened in July 2013 in front of around 1,000 people.

In just over a year it has been used by an estimated 4,000 existing players, including 400 new 13-15 year-olds and 400 new adults.

Around 100 primary school children and 20 blind or visually impaired participants have also used the facility since its inception.

Councillor Anita Cranmer is the cabinet member for community at South Bucks District Council. She said: “We’re delighted to work in partnership with this project.

“It will bring many valuable benefits to our communities and secure the long-term future of our playing fields.

“The growing popularity and success of Farnham Park with local clubs and schools testifies to the crying need for this type of investment.

As well as the addition of a fourth purpose-build field, BaseballSoftballUK also plan to convert an existing onsite building into a clubhouse.

Boyd said: “The extra field will greatly enhance the ability to host domestic and international baseball, as well as fastpitch or slowpitch tournaments.

“It will extend our ability to present baseball and softball competitions alongside each other, and a greater access to high quality facilities.” **PICK up a copy of the Observer, out every Friday, for all the latest sports news and action** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**