ROCKFORD, IL — Dozens gathered where the legendary Rockford Peaches once played on Oct. 6 to formally break ground on an estimated $27.8 million renovation of Beyer Stadium and construction of an International Women’s Baseball Center, 245 15th Ave.
Named Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park in honor of women’s baseball icon Maybelle Blair, who in 1948 played for the Peoria Redwings against the rival Peaches, the field is being transformed into a competition grade stadium that pays homage to those who blazed a trail for women’s sports.
Blair, 98, promised to be on hand next summer when the Rockford region plays host to the 11th annual Baseball For All Nationals and the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup group stage.
“You have no idea what this means to not just me, but to the whole world of all the women that love to play sports and especially the girls that love to play baseball,” Blair said. “I’m so thrilled, you have no idea, that this old girl is still living, and I will be here come hell or high water.”
Renovations at Beyer Stadium are made possible by a $2 million grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, a $350,000 grant from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, $1.5 million in casino revenue over five years from the city of Rockford and a $400,000 state grant secured by state Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Loves Park.
Renovations will include the Cohen Bleachers, new restrooms, field regrading and sodding, irrigation, electrical upgrades, dugout upgrades, a scoreboard, foul poles, batting cages, pitching areas and the Amazin’ Mets Foundation Press Box.
Much of the work on the 6-acre campus has already begun.
A park, named for Blair, north of the stadium, will feature commemorative pylons honoring women’s baseball’s most significant achievements, restoration of the historic main entrance ticket booth, walking paths and recreation areas.
A baseball center and museum would be added in a $22.8 million second phase. A $3 million third phase would add artifacts and exhibits to the museum hall.
Historian Leslie Heaphy, an associate professor at Kent State University and member of the IWBC board of directors, said the day was about more than a groundbreaking.
“It’s something that represents a rejuvenation of this field, of the dreams, of the celebrations, the perseverance, the stories that resound across the field,” Heaphy said. “And so this groundbreaking and this field is not about grass and dugouts and bleachers. It’s about the stories, the dreams of those thousands of young ladies that have played here and are going to continue to get that opportunity as we have the chance to bring together the past, the present, and the future all in one place.”
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Women’s baseball soon to return to legendary stomping grounds of the Rockford Peaches
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
