Monongalia County Ballpark
State and local legislators, the Mon County Commission, the City of Granville, and Mon View Developers are the key principles involved in what is being touted as one of the best collaboration efforts seen in the state of West Virginia.
On October 17, 2013, ground was broken on the new Monongalia County Ballpark, scheduled to open for the 2015 season, at the University Town Centre.
The total price tag for construction of the ballpark is projected at $21 million, with the majority of the funds coming from the ballpark TIF. Bonds for the ballpark were issued by United Bank and WVU will make up any additional costs privately.
The WVU design is fan friendly and includes 2,500 fixed seats, hillside seating, club seating, a fan amenity deck and a park that is open on a year-round basis for the enjoyment of the community.
The ballpark will be a synthetic surface to accommodate severe weather and heavy use, with the exception of a clay pitchers mound. The dimensions will be 325 feet down the left and right field lines, 375 feet to the power alleys and 400 to center field.
Just beyond the right field fence will serve as the everyday home for the Mountaineers. Players and staff will have access to a clubhouse, offices, team theater, strength and conditioning facilities, an athletic training room and an equipment room.
The ballpark will be the third design-build project at WVU, with the first being the Caperton Indoor Facility in 1998, followed by Mountaineer Station in 2009.
Professional baseball found a home at the ballpark in 2015 as Rich Baseball Operations relocated its short-season Class-A New York-Penn League franchise to Morgantown to be called the West Virginia Black Bears.
For a link to the ballpark's seating diagram,
CLICK HERE.
