Hyames Field Renovation Project

The 2007 baseball season marks the 68th season that the Western Michigan University baseball team will play its home games at Hyames Field.

Named after former Bronco baseball coach and athletic director Judson Hyames, the field was dedicated 69 years ago in the spring of 1939. The Broncos’ home park served as the site of the first two College World Series played in 1947 and 1948.

The 1947 CWS featured two famous players. The game saw eventual American League "Most Valuable Player" Jackie Jensen playing outfield for California. Patrolling first base for Yale that afternoon was future U.S. President George Bush.

Among the features at Hyames are an electronic scoreboard, long dugouts, a padded backstop; an eight-foot, vertical-slat privacy fence; an outfield warning track and three batting cages. Hyames Field is also known for its unique hill bank, which runs along the right field foul line and is a popular spot for sun bathing on baseball afternoons. There is an inclined hill in left field.

Hyames guided the 1922-36 squads to a combined 166-62-2 record. He was the second baseball coach in Western Michigan University history.

Directions:  From 131, take Stadium Drive East to Oliver Street.  Turn right on Oliver and enter parking lot on immediate left.  Hyames is located behind the softball diamond.