Hyames Field
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Hyames Field is a baseball stadium located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is currently the home to the baseball team of Western Michigan University. Originally constructed in 1939, it was part of a $250,000 project that also included the construction of Waldo Stadium.
The baseball field was dedicated and opened in the spring of 1939, and was named for Judson Hyames, who had coached the baseball squads at WMU from 1922-1936. He accumulated a record of 166-62-6, and had accomplished one of the more successful records in the region. Hyames had also served as Athletic Director as well.
Carved out of a hill alongside Stadium Drive, Hyames Field was able to offer a unique playing environment. Features include hill banks down both foul lines, in particular the right field side, which is an open grassy knoll popular with spectators. The original construction also included concrete seating behind home plate, along with restrooms, concessions, and storage facilities located beneath the seating. This structure had been completely covered by a permanent roof, however the roof had fallen into disrepair in recent years and was removed in the winter of 2005. The 2006 baseball season has continued without the roof, although the steel girders for it remain. Other renovations and additions over the years have included an electronic scoreboard, batting cages, and more effective turf management.
At the time of construction, the facilities of Hyames Field were considered to be some of the best in the country. The site was the home of the first two College World Series in 1947 and 1948. The 1947 contest was particuallrly memorable, featuring future American League MVP Jackie Jensen of Cal in the outfield. In the same contest, future United States President George H.W. Bush played first base for the Yale squad. The CWS moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1949, and to Omaha, Nebraska in 1950, where it has been featured since.
