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League Stadium /
DuBois County Bombers
| Year Opened | Ballpark originally opened in 1894 and rebuilt in 1991 |
| Capacity | 3,000 |
| Dimensions | 320L, 390C, 320R |
| Playing Surface | Grass |
| Last Visit | 2007 |
| Web Site | dcbombers.com |
| Online Broadcasts | No |
| Online Ticket Sales | No |
| Phone | 812/683-3700 |
| Ticket Prices (2007) | Reserved seating (behind home plate), $7; 1st and 3rd baselines, $6; Adult General Admission, $5; Children (under 12), $3 |
| League | Central Illinois Collegiate League |
| Parking | Free but limited, inside Huntingburg City Park |
| Address/Directions | 203 S. Cherry St., Huntingburg, IN. From the east or west take Interstate 64 to Exit 57, Huntingburg. Take 231 North for about 8 miles into Huntingburg. Turn right at the light onto First Street. Proceed to the end of First Street and into Huntingburg City Park where League Stadium is located. From the South take 231 North into Huntingburg. Turn right at the light onto First Street. Proceed to the end of First Street and into Huntingburg City Park where League Stadium is located. From the North proceed to Jasper and take 231 South into Huntingburg. Turn left onto onto First Street. Proceed to the end of First Street and into Huntingburg City Park where League Stadium is located. |
| Text and Photos by: | Marc Viquez |
| Rating |  |
(click on the image
for a larger photo)
Constructed to look
like an original wooden ballpark.
Thank goodness for summer collegiate baseball leagues like the Central Illinois Collegiate League, since without it, League Stadium in Huntingburg, Ind., would be void of baseball during the summer.
Nestled into a little community in southern Indiana, 163 miles south of Indianapolis is the town of Huntingburg. The town was made famous in 1991 when Columbia Pictures decided to use the ballpark in A League of Their Own, which chronicled the All-American Professional Girls League during the 1940’s. Along with Bosse Field in nearby Evansville, Ind., the two stadiums became stars in a feature film.
(click on the image
for a larger photo)
The exterior of the
ballpark is simple.
I understand why producers were attracted to film their World War II-era baseball film in Bosse Field, which was built in 1915, but why League Stadium? The playing field and a small ballpark were originally built in 1894, but most of the ballpark was torn down by 1985. The only existing features were the grandstand and the light towers looming around the ballpark.
The producers rebuilt the ballpark, making it look like a 1940s-era ballpark complete with an all-wood structure, small press box, beams galore, and vintage signs in the outfield walls. A recent trip concurred that everything looks the same and that the ballpark feels as if it had originally been built 65 years ago.
(click on the image
for a larger photo)
Despite the large
grandstand, much of the seating is exposed to the
elements.
"It is definitely a great place to watch a ballgame," said Erin Wexler. "I just wished more people in Huntingburg would come out and watch the team play. The caliber of play with the Bombers is much better than the Dragons."
Wexler was referring to the ballpark's current tenant, the DuBois County Bombers, who started play in 2005. The DuBois County Dragons (independent; Frontier League) called League Stadium home from 1995-2002, before relocating to Kenosha, Wis.
"It was a sad summer when there was no baseball," added Wexler.
Similar to other college summer leagues, the CISL offers fans of small towns that can no longer support minor-league baseball the opportunity enjoy the minor-league experience.
(click on the image
for a larger photo)
Built to look old.
League Stadium is a unique experience for both the minor-league aficionados and the casual fan. However, the casual fans are maybe turned off by the simplicity of a game at the wooden park. The two concession stands are small, bathrooms are even smaller, and there's no play area for the kids. In return you get to enjoy baseball up close and personable.
During our visit the 3,000-seat ballpark attracted about 500 spectators, but they made up for it with their enthusiasm and knowledge of the game. VFW members were drawing raffle tickets, local little leaguers were batboys, and volunteers of all ages sold shirts, ripped tickets and worked the concession stands. A friend who has grown up attending games at the spacious and modern Victory Field said it reminded her of Bull Durham; my response was that this is what minor-league baseball was too long ago and still is in small towns scattered throughout the country.
Note the classic bench
seating.
The ballpark has a lower section of eight rows of
seats originally from Atlanta-Fulton County
Stadium, with wooden seats in the upper level.
There are 44 wooden pillars holding up the
grandstand roof.
"The quality of baseball is pretty good with the
college kids," said Jason Stafford. "The ballpark
has a great old-time field and it is just neat to
have something like this down here."
(click on the image
for a larger photo)
A Rockford Peaches ad
is a remnant of the film.
The nostalgic outfield ads were a wonderful essence to the ballpark, along with the tall lanky light towers that donned the twighlight sky up above. There was also a hand-operated scoreboard, but it was not being used in favor of the generic electronic scoreboard in right field. There were also a few picnic tables and concession stands in left field and a very ample amount of nothing down the right-field line.
League Stadium was a very interesting place to watch a game; the experience was that of a tight-knit community enjoying cool summer night at the ballgame. There was a lot of interaction with the fans through on field gimmicks, 50/50, prizes for free dinners at a local restaurant, and kids running the bases with the team mascot; a very honest and nice time.
I would recommend a visit if you happen to be nearby, but chances are it could be a little bit tedious to get to. The ballpark is located eight miles north of I-64, but there are no major interstate or state roads north of Huntingburg. If you feel a little adventurous and enjoy the winding roads, sweet smell, and rolling hills of Southern Indiana it may just be worth the effort to make the drive.
(click on the image
for a larger photo)
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