Grizzlies Baseball Makes Home Debut

For their first two years, the Missouri State-West Plains baseball program improvised where to practice and play without a field of its own. Now, with construction underway, head coach Kadem Tharp sees the Grizzlies putting down more permanent roots.

 

The program first took the field in fall 2024 under head coach Tharp in preseason NJCAA competition. An initial agreement to use facilities at the high school fell through, leaving the Grizzlies without a facility to play or practice. Tharp shared the struggle of the team to consistently find a field to practice on or play their games, with most practices being on a local softball field. In their first season, the Grizzlies played 48 road games, just eight games shy of a full 56-game NJCAA season. This changes Oct. 17 when the Grizzlies take the field for their first home game as a program.

 

The new facility sits at 1410 Bill Virdon Boulevard and is currently planned to feature a baseball field, softball field, fieldhouse, concession stand and press box. The current state of the project is suitable for home games, with the baseball field, fieldhouse and dugouts complete. However, construction continues with the press box, concession stand, lighting and parking lot renovations not yet complete. The project anticipates the facility reaching full function Feb. 6, 2027. The project has further aspirations such as a softball field, basketball courts and a long-term vision of a three-sport facility for the community to grow with.

 

Tharp credits the West Plains Area Dugout Club, university leadership and community members as the drivers behind the facility coming to fruition. A home facility for the Grizzlies baseball program was always the goal, but it was not until Jim and Beth Peters made a lead contribution to the Dugout Club that the project became feasible. The Dugout Club, led by president Robbie Crites, has organized community support, gathered sponsors and spearheaded the efforts to complete the project. Missouri State-West Plans Athletic Director Rachel Peterson has advocated for support for the facility. Tharp also noted Peterson's role working closely with the Peters in their decision to make a gift to the Dugout Club. With the combined efforts of the university and the community, the project takes physical shape, and the facility ushers in the next era of Grizzly baseball.

 

For two years, the Grizzly program has faced adversity beyond its games, including difficulty finding a place to practice and play. For Tharp and the program, the facility offers a permanent home, providing consistency, a stronger foundation for recruiting and an opportunity to build a better sports culture in West Plains. On Oct. 17, the Grizzlies will host the North Arkansas College Pioneers for their first home game, allowing West Plains to support its home team at home. As construction continues, Tharp sees the project as something that can grow and be valued by both the athletic program and the community.