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:
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| The Delano baseball team from 1901 |
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| 1916 field flood - Original grandstand in the background |
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| 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.
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.
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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.
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.
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