Bowen Field Home of Bluefield State University
Many HBCU baseball stadiums remains as the crown jewels of HBCU Baseball. Many have withstood the test of time improvements over the years that have increased its seating capacity as well as changing the playing surface which has attracted top student athletes. This is a list of what Black College Nine (BCN) considers top HBCU Baseball stadiums across the country. Some are not located on campus but they are the heart and soul of HBCU Baseball playing fields. These parks are rich in tradition in which these games are played and provide memorable experience for fans and players that last a life time.
1. Bethune Cookman University – Jackie Robinson Ballpark – Daytona Beach, FL
The Jackie Robinson Ballpark is a historic baseball field in Daytona Beach, Florida. It sits on an Island in the Halifax River. The ballpark originally opened in 1914. It consisted of a baseball field and a set of wooden bleachers. The present day grandstand and press box were built in 1962. It is the home of the the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Baseball team. Daytona Beach and the stadium were the first Florida city to allow Robinson to play during the 1946 season’s in spring training. Robinson had been signed to play for the Triple-A Montreal Royals who held spring training in Florida with the Brooklyn Dodgers. A statue of Robinson is now located at the south entrance to the ballpark. It’s capacity holds 4, 200.
2. Edward Waters University – James P. Small Park – Jacksonville, FL
Constructed in 1912 and rebuilt in 1936, it was the city’s first municipal recreation field, and served as its primary baseball park. Major League clubs held spring training at the park including the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers held their spring training at the field. The Philadelphia Athletics were the first major league team to use the field for spring training, the Pittsburgh Pirates held their spring training at the ballpark. New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers called the park their spring training home. At the home-side entrance, a statue of Buck O’Neil was dedicated in 2006 in recognition of the historical significance of J.P. Small Park to the history of Negro League baseball. O’Neil lived in Jacksonville until he signed with the Memphis Red Sox. The playing surface is currently under renovation and won’t be ready until the 2025 season.
3. Bluefield State University – Bowen Field at Peters Park – Bluefield, Virginia
Bowen Field primarily used for baseball, it is the home field for Bluefield Ridge Runners of the summer collegiate Appalachian League and the Bluefield University Big Blues baseball team. It previously hosted the Bluefield Orioles and the Bluefield Blue Jays of Minor League Baseball from 1939 to 2020. It holds 3,000 people.
4. Xavier University of Louisiana – Wesley Barrow Stadium – New Orleans, LA
Named in memory of Negro league baseball manager Wesley Barrow, a longtime prominent figure in the New Orleans baseball community. It is the current site of Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy and Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities in New Orleans. The Stadium was built in 1957 and has served as the home for Louisiana High School Athletic Association baseball games, Loyola Wolfpack baseball and UNO Privateers baseball in 2013. The facility was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, but after a 6.5 million renovation was reopened in 2012. The funding was provided by Major League Baseball, the city of New Orleans and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In 2021, the stadium became the home field for the Xavier University Gold Rush baseball team.
5. Southern University – Lee-Hines Field – Baton Rouge, LA
The house that legendary Southern baseball coach Roger Cador built. Lee-Hines Field has served as home to Southern baseball since 1992 and features a seating capacity of 1500. While the ballpark isn’t filled with state of the art attractions, Lee-Hines Field offers a traditional setting for college baseball at an affordable price which includes shaded seating provided by an overhead awning and a few delicious options at the concession stand.
6. Coppin State University – Joe Cannon Stadium – Hanover, Maryland
Joe Cannon Stadium former home field of the Baltimore Dodgers of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The stadium holds 1,500 spectators. It is named after former-Major League Baseball player Joe Cannon.
7. Norfolk State University – Marty L. Miller Field – Norfolk, VA
In 1997, Marty L. Miller Baseball Field debuted as the home for Spartan baseball. It is named after former coach and former Athletics Director Marty Miller, who spent more than 50 years as a player, coach and administrator at NSU. It has metal bleacher seating for 1,500, a spacious press box for game staff and working media, and lavatory facilities and storage space around the backside of the bleachers. It also has full stadium lighting for night games.
8. Jackson State University – Braddy Field – Jackson, MS
Robert “Bob” Braddy Field originally known as Jackson State University Baseball Complex, it was renamed prior to the 2010 season for former JSU head baseball coach Robert Braddy. Braddy who spent 27 years as the coach for the Tigers from 1973 through 2000, retiring with an 824–546 win-loss record. The facility opened in 2006, the facility has a capacity of 800 spectators.
9. University Arkansas–Pine Bluff – Torii Hunter Baseball Complex – Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Torii Hunter Baseball Complex It is home to the Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions baseball team. The facility has a capacity of 1,000 spectators and is named for former Major League Baseball player Torii Hunter.
10. Alabama State University – Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex – Montgomery, AL
The Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex was opened in March 2011, is named in honor of two former head baseball coaches, Herbert Wheeler and Larry Watkins. The $3.9 million baseball complex has a capacity of 500 and was completed in the spring of 2011, and brought baseball back to ASU’s campus for the first time since 1996.
It is home to the Florida A&M Rattlers baseball team. Built in 1983, it has a capacity of 500 spectators. It features a natural grass surface. It is named for former Florida A&M baseball coaches Oscar A. Moore and Costa Kittles. Combined, the coaches won over 500 games and 14 conference titles. Moore was inducted into the university’s athletic Hall of Fame in 1978, as was Kittles in 1982.
12. Grambling State University – Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park – Grambling, LA
Wilbert Ellis Field at Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones Park is a baseball venue in Grambling, Louisiana, It is home to the Grambling State Tigers baseball team. The field is named after Wilbert Ellis, former head baseball coach and the park is named after Grambling’s second president, Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones. Has a seating capacity of 1,100.
13. Prairie View A&M University – John W. Tankersley Field – Prairie View, TX
Home to the Prairie View A&M Panthers baseball team, the facility has a capacity of 512 spectators and is named for John Tankersley, who was the head coach of the Panthers from 1969 to 1972 and again from 1975 to 2002.
Honorable Mention:
North Carolina A&T University – World War Memorial Stadium
West Virginia State University – Calvin L. Bailey Field
Albany State University – West Campus Baseball Field
Savannah State University – Tigers Baseball Field
I’ve been to Bowen Field, and can tell you that it’s a first-class facility in a pretty setting.