March 2025 update - The Chris Lane Field has now been in operation for over 12 months, and our junior baseballers are making good use of the new facility with over 150 children taking part in entry level programs and junior competition this summer for the Essendon Baseball Club.

January 2024 update - The project will be completed in early February and is a fully compliant Little League field for junior baseball players which includes lighting, dugouts, a scorer's box and spectator seating. The new field will be formally opened on Saturday February 17 at 6pm, with an official ceremony, baseball games from some of Melbourne’s top junior baseballers, food and fun activities. All are welcome! View the event poster here.

July 2023 update - Following Council endorsement at its meeting on the 27 April 2023, the name Chris Lane Field was officially registered with Geographic Names Victoria and was published in the Victoria Government Gazette on the 15 June 2023. Thank you to all that participated in the community engagement naming process. We look forward to this new sporting field opening early next year. Keep an eye out for the opening date on our website and social channels.

Thank you to the 378 people who took part in this survey. A report containing findings from our community consultation can be found on this page.

Context and purpose
Council sought to understand the level of support from the community to officially change the name of Boeing Oval 4 to the Chris Lane Field. This new name will then be registered with Geographic Names Victoria and will be reflected in all mapping and official documents.

This field is proposed to be renamed in memory of young Essendon Baseball Club player and Moonee Valley resident Chris Lane, who was tragically killed in 2013 while in the USA on a baseball scholarship, aged 22.

The American Major Baseball League offered their support to build a Little League Field in Chris’ memory. Funding contributions were also made by Moonee Valley City Council, Sport and Recreation Victoria, and the Essendon Baseball Club. In addition, a generous lighting donation has been received from Musco lighting.

Boeing Oval 4 is adjacent to the new baseball pavilion at Boeing Reserve and was selected as the most suitable sports ground to be converted.

Once completed, the field will offer a fully compliant facility for young baseballers and provide a valuable asset for the Moonee Valley community.

The project has been nine years in the making.