Oestrike Stadium

Oestrike Stadium
Location	Ypsilanti, MI United States
Building chronology
Built	1971
Tenants
Eastern Michigan University Eagles Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti
Capacity
1,463

Oestrike Stadium is located in Ypsilanti, MI. It was built in 1971 and has a capacity of 1,463 people. The grandstand seating holds 1,313 people, and a small grill and picnic area located just past the left field fence has additional lawn seating for about 150 fans. Oestrike Stadium is the 2009 home stadium of the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti of the Frontier League and the Eastern Michigan University Eagles of the MAC. Oestrike Stadium is located on EMU's West Campus athletic complex, adjacent to the Rynerson Stadium (football) and the EMU Convocation Center which is home to the basketball team.

History

Oestrike stadium, named after EMU Hall of Fame coach Ron Oestrike, was built following EMU's 1970 NAIA World Series national championship. The first game was played in the park in early 1971. The early years of Oestrike Stadium was marked by excellence and within four years in their new stadium, the EMU Hurons (as they were known at the time) made back to back appearances at the NCAA College World Series.

The physical structure of Oestrike Stadium is fairly unassuming. The seating is general admission grandstands covered by a simple metal roof. The University sells commemorative bricks which line the grandstand section and continue to be installed. Beginning in 1988, Oestrike Stadium began an ongoing series of improvements which have greatly enhanced the experiences of both players and fans. The first of these impovements was the addition of a press box behind home plate. In 1989, an inning-by-inning scoreboard with a small digital display was added behind the left field fence. 1990 brought the addition of four permanent batting cages were also built past the left field fence.

In 1992, field improvements began, starting with a new outfield fence and practice infield. In 1995, an outfield drainage system and sprinkling system were installed. In 1998 a new infield surface, pitching mound and bullpen mounds were completed. In the summer of 2001, the dugouts were expanded and drinking fountains were installed. Lights were added to Oestrike Stadium in 2000. In 2007, the entire infield was ripped out and replaced with Pro Grass and a new infield drainage system was installed.

Welcoming the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti to Oestrike has lead to a few quick modifications to the stadium to give it a more "minor league" feel. Included in these are an improved concessions area and the addition of the grill and picnic area beyond the left field wall.

While the Sliders are only temporarily in Ypsilanti while their new facilities in Waterford, MI (where they will become the Oakland County Cruisers) are being completed, their presence marks the first time professional baseball has been played in the city since 1913 when the Class D Border League folded.

Dimensions

• Left Field: 340 ft.
• Left Center Field: 370 ft.
• Center Field: 390 ft.
• Right Center Field: 370 ft.
• Right Field: 325 ft.
• Playing Surface: Pro Grass infield, Natural Grass outfield
• Grandstand Seating Capacity: 1,313
• Additional Capacity: 150 lawn seating in the left field grill and picnic area

External Links

• Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti Home Page
• Eastern Michigan University Baseball Home Page
• EMU Oestrike Stadium Page