Hyames Field

Hyames Field

Hyames Field Location in the United States
Full name	Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field
Location	Kalamazoo, Michigan United States
Coordinates	42°17′04″N 85°36′10″W / 42.284569°N 85.602847°W / 42.284569; -85.602847Coordinates: 42°17′04″N 85°36′10″W / 42.284569°N 85.602847°W / 42.284569; -85.602847
Owner	Western Michigan University
Operator	Western Michigan University
Capacity	1,500
Field size	LF-310' (top of fence measures 16') Left Center - 375 ' Center Field - 395 ' Right Center - 375' Right Field - 335'
Scoreboard	Electronic
Construction
Opened	1939
Renovated	2008–2010
Tenants
Western Michigan Broncos (NCAA) (1939–present)

Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field is a baseball stadium located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States, on the campus of Western Michigan University. It opened in 1939, and serves as the home field for the Western Michigan Broncos baseball program. The stadium hosted the inaugural College World Series in 1947 and again in 1948.

Originally constructed in 1939, it was part of a $250,000 project that also included the construction of the adjacent Waldo Stadium, home of the WMU football team.

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 1922–36. He accumulated a record of 166–62–6, and had accomplished one of the more successful records in the region. Hyames also served as athletic director at Western Michigan. The stadium itself was renamed in 2008 after a $1 million donation by Robert J. Bobb.

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.