Marshall University has announced that it will break ground on a new baseball facility Saturday, an early milestone in the push to complete the ballpark by March 2021.
In February, Marshall released its vision for a new 3,500-seat ballpark at the 8-acre the Flint Group Pigments Plant property in Huntington, WV’s Highlawn neighborhood. Ever since that announcement, the university has continued to work on the project, including some major steps taken Tuesday. Marshall’s Board of Governors granted final approval for the acquisition of two properties from the Huntington Municipal Development Authority that are needed for the ballpark’s construction, while plans have been announced for a groundbreaking ceremony at the ballpark’s site on Saturday morning.
“Saturday will be another crucial step for the future of our baseball program,” Mike Hamrick, Marshall’s Director of Athletics, said in a press statement. “I’m excited to get this very special project underway and encourage all of our loyal fans to step up and help us make this dream a reality.”
Scheduled for 10:30 a.m. eastern, the groundbreaking ceremony will be part of the university’s homecoming weekend. A number of local dignitaries and university and project officials are expected to on hand for the event, including Marshall President Dr. Jerry Gilbert, Huntington mayor Steve Williams, Thundering Herd head baseball coach Jeff Waggoner, legendary former head coach Jack Cook, officials from ballpark architect AECOM, and Marshall University Board of Governors Chairman Jim Bailes. They are expected be joined by Marshall alums and former Major League Baseball All-Stars Jeff Montgomery and Rick Reed.
According to a timeline included in the university’s announcement of the groundbreaking ceremony, construction is set to officially get underway next spring. Marshall is seeking to complete the facility by March 2021.
RELATED STORIES: Marshall Acquires Ballpark Property; Authority Opts to Sell Planned Ballpark Site to Marshall; Fundraising for Marshall Ballpark Continues; New Marshall Ballpark Project Unveiled; New Marshall Ballpark Plans to be Unveiled Thursday; Marshall Tabs Architect for New Ballpark; Marshall Continues Pursuit of New Ballpark; Marshall Ballpark Talks Taking Shape; Huntington mayor: We’re pursuing new ballpark again; Huntington ballpark funding shifts to private sector; New Marshall U ballpark closer to reality