BATTLE CREEK – Battle Creek has been known as baseball town for more than 100 years.
Battle Creek was the home for the premiere national amateur baseball championship tournament for decades, dating back to 1914. There also has been a city league that has been around more than 90 years.
So it makes sense that Battle Creek will now be associated with some of the greatest names and teams in baseball in Michigan that have ever played.
The Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame and the Northwoods League’s Battle Creek Battle Jacks have signed a formal partnership agreement recognizing the Battle Jacks and MCCU Field at C.O. Brown Stadium in Bailey Park as approved partners of the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame.
MORE: When will the Battle Jacks open the season? What’s new with the team?
The Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame was established in 2015 at Jackson Field, home of the Lansing Lugnuts, with the mission of honoring the state’s baseball heroes of yesterday, celebrating the national pastime today, and inspiring the baseball fans of tomorrow.
As the Home of Southwest Michigan Baseball, the Battle Creek Battle Jacks will collaborate with the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame to preserve, celebrate and amplify Battle Creek’s significant role in the history of baseball across amateur, semipro and professional eras.
“Battle Creek has played a meaningful role in the history of baseball, not just in Southwest Michigan, but nationally,” said Battle Creek Battle Jacks owner Scott Miles in a press release. “From Negro League barnstorming stops and Jackie Robinson’s 1950 visit, to Harry Caray’s first baseball play-by-play broadcast and Derek Jeter signing his first Yankees contract here, this city has been a place where professional and premier amateur baseball have meaningfully intersected for generations. That story deserves to be celebrated and preserved.
“We are proud to partner with the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame to honor that legacy and bring it to life for a new generation of fans.”
Battle Creek’s historic baseball legacy includes a longstanding reputation as a premier amateur baseball destination, hosting major regional tournaments and state tournaments, and serving as a gathering place for top-level competition throughout the 20th century.
“The Lansing Lugnuts are incredibly proud of the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame and what it represents in our state,” said Lugnuts general manager Zac Clark. “We believe the history of our game in our state is something that should be shared far and wide, so this partnership with the Battle Creek Battle Jacks is incredibly exciting. We know that the Battle Jacks will be amazing partners and stewards of this incredible piece of baseball history in our state and we look forward to seeing this come to life in Battle Creek.”
Among the historical highlights in baseball attached to Battle Creek:
According to a press release, the partnership between the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame and the Battle Creek Battle Jacks will extend through stadium exhibits, heritage nights, a historical content series, and in-stadium storytelling initiatives throughout the 2026 season and beyond.
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Jacks announce partnership with Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
