Delano Municipal - Delano Athletics - Delano, MN

The first documented instance of organized baseball in Delano dates back to May 1875, when a baseball club was established. The city built Delano Municipal Ballpark in 1896, making it one of Minnesota's oldest and most celebrated town ball stadiums. It features iconic ivy on the outfield fence, planted in the 1980s, and a grandstand rebuilt in 1995 with seating for 750 spectators.

This stadium is a centerpiece of Delano's baseball history. It's known for its pristine field, mature trees, ivy-covered fences, and historic light towers. The park has undergone upgrades, including a new grandstand in 1995 and LED lighting retrofits to preserve its historic charm.

The earliest written record of baseball in Delano dates back nearly 150 years! In May of 1875, The Eagle (local newspaper) reported:

“at a meeting held at the office of Fish and Van Eman, on Saturday evening, a base ball club was organized, consisting of the following officers and members: Pat McNaughton, Captain, Jerry Emerson, W. L. Van Eman, T. S. Kerr, Henery La Clare, Daniel Fish, George Schaffer, Billy Mitchell, Albert Eppel, C. O. Teas. Teas was chosen as the Umpire.  The club will first fit up their grounds, and then will go into active training.”

Baseball is a core part of Delano's community. Veteran Delano Athletics player Paul Jaunich is from a family with a strong baseball tradition in town.  So much so that at one point, a Jaunich family member was playing first, second, and third base at the same time for the team.

Some historical images:

The Delano baseball team from 1901

1916 field flood - Original grandstand in the background

The 1940 Delano team that stopped Maple Lake's win streak

The Delano Athletics are a prominent town team that plays at the Municipal Ballpark and is a significant part of the town's baseball lore.  Delano has been a host for the Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament, including in 1975, 1984, and 1997. The city also co-hosted the tournament in 2013 and 2023.

Parking

A large parking lot offers over 220 parking spaces on the west side of the road from the stadium. All parking is protected from foul ball damage. As the parking runs in a line moving north away from the park, the most distant spot is about a quarter of a mile away. 

Spectator Options

There is a $5.00 entrance fee, which is becoming typical.  I had a friend meet me at the park, and he parked in the residential streets along the outfield and walked through the third base access, where there was no fee collector.  

The City of Delano (or some private donors) invested in creating a high-quality complex. With ample, comfortable seating in the large grandstand (rebuilt in 1995 providing 750 seats) and down both baselines, picnic table areas, ivy-covered fences surrounding the park with platforms for spectators, high quality light standards, a big concession booth, and nice bathrooms, it feels a lot like some of the minor league ballparks I’ve visited.

 

Raised outfield platform

 

Concessions (hot dog/root beer)

The concession options are more significant than most parks.  Hot Dogs are $3.00 or a meal for $5.00.  Hamburgers and cheeseburgers are also provided.  They don't typically serve root beer, but they did make a root beer float. I bought a Solo cup (without ice) of the generic Best Foods root beer for $3.00.  The beverages are more expensive than in most fields I have visited.

Since the root beer was generic, it was no better than the usual A&W Root Beer. The hot dog was above store-bought quality, with a slight snap to the skin and a blend of flavors. It was average for the ball fields I have visited so far.

Summary

This is an outstanding baseball facility with a long history. The hedge in the outfield, along with seating options, the grandstand, and many other viewing opportunities, make this park unique and one of the best in the State of Minnesota (based on my limited experience to date).

They do a great job with the amenities and advertising.  The subtle actions provide a significant amount of advertising without being gaudy, filled with banners like many fields. Even though it's an over an hour's drive for me, the trip is worth the townball experience provided.

Signs like the ones below are posted throughout the park.  The first three are baseball terms, and the last two are advertising.

 

 Review criteria and list of fields - including links for those reviewed.

 

Joe Schleper Stadium - Shakopee Coyotes - Shakopee, MN

Located in Tahpah Park in Shakopee, MN, the stadium is named after Joe Schleper.  Joe became the high school's athletic director in 1966 while continuing to teach sophomore history and coach varsity baseball. He served as president of the Minnesota State Baseball Coaches Association from 1972 to 1973. Joe retired as the Shakopee High School baseball coach in 1976 and as a teacher in 1989. Joe’s son, Tom, coached Shakopee baseball for 30 years and retired in 2023.

The Shakopee Indians amateur baseball team was established in 1938 and has proudly represented the Shakopee community in amateur baseball for 75 years. At the ballpark, the grandstand is filled with hundreds of seats recycled from the late Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, where the Minnesota Twins (installed in 2015) played from 1982 until 2009. Amateur teams that play at Schleper Field include:

• Shakopee Coyotes
• Shakopee Indians
• Shakopee Chiefs (35 and over)
• Shakopee Sabers (High School)

Parking

There is a parking lot immediately south with over 250 spaces. An additional lot to the west provides more than 150 spaces. The parking area serves nine other baseball and softball fields as well as a playground. About 30 spaces are at risk of foul ball damage from Schleper Field.

Spectator Options

Aside from the grandstand, the area offers many seating options for fans, including bleachers and picnic tables in the concourse area, bench seating along the backstop, and a lovely raised deck past the third-base dugout. The scoreboard is visible from all parts of the park, and the concession area is accessible and well-stocked with cold beers and hot food. There is a $5.00 admission fee collected at the entrance gate.

Concessions (hot dog/root beer)

The typical A&W Root Beer and hot dog are served. Additionally, there are occasionally other grilled items for certain games. Prices are reasonable. Popcorn, peanuts, and candy are also available. The hot dog is better than standard store-bought ones, but cannot match some other locations like LaCenter, Jordan, or Delano.

Summary

The field is well-maintained, with excellent seating options throughout the park. The teams are well-supported by the community. The sound system is average but could be improved for clarity. Restrooms are conveniently located next to the concessions stands, which are near the home plate backstop. This is a field I would not hesitate to visit for a baseball game when the opportunity arises.

Review criteria and list of fields - including links for those reviewed.

Fort Ripley Park - Fort Ripley Rebels - Fort Ripley, MN

Fort Ripley is approximately 130 miles northwest of Minneapolis. It was a United States military installation from 1849 to 1877, when it was vacated after 28 years. The fort, now part of Camp Ripley, was located on the opposite side of the Mississippi River from Morrison County, where the current city in Crow Wing County is situated. The town of Fort Ripley was incorporated in 1927 and took its name from the fort, which was named for Eleazer Wheelock Ripley, an American soldier and politician.

I was unable to find any information on the team's history. 

Parking

The Town of Forest Ripley is small. Once off the main highway, you travel three blocks on gravel roads to Fort Ripley Park. There is a large grass field next to the park that I assumed would provide plenty of parking. However, the teams were well-supported, with nearly 100 people, but no parking was available. I parked beside the access road. 

Spectator Options 

There are three sets of bleachers. The main bleacher behind home plate has over 120 seats, with an additional 40-seat bleachers on each side of the concession stand. There's also plenty of space for lawn chairs if that's preferred seating.

Concessions (I prefer a hot dog with root beer) 

Unfortunately, no root beer was available. They offered Von Hanson’s hot dogs for $3.00. While better than typical store-bought hot dogs, they are average at best. Soda, which I had as a Dr Pepper, was $2.00. There were no popcorn or other hot concession options. Limited candy and small snack bags were available.

Summary

This was a game! The Buckman Billygoats beat the Fort Ripley Rebels 7-6 in 16 innings! Even though it was a warm day, there were shaded seating options. The field had an average sound system and, when appropriate, played uplifting music. The field has no lights, so evening games are not possible.  There was a small electronic scoreboard in right field that provided the basic information. 

I enjoyed the setting and the welcoming atmosphere for the game. While the field was simple, that small-town feel and team support made the trip worthwhile.

Review criteria and list of fields - including links for those reviewed.