Smith Wills Stadium
Encyclopedia
Smith–Wills Stadium is a 5,200 seat baseball
stadium
in Jackson, Mississippi
. It is located on Lakeland Drive, less than half a mile east of Interstate 55
, in the northeastern part of the city.
in a move by Jackson administration to lure in a Professional Minor League baseball
team. It opened in 1975. Over the years, it has hosted professional baseball as well as musical concerts. In 1999, the stadium hosted its final affiliated professional baseball game, and in 2005 its final professional game. With the addition of FieldTurf artificial turf, Smith–Wills was converted into a true multipurpose facility, able to host a variety of sports and events including football and soccer. Smith–Wills is still used as a venue for MHSAA football events for Jackson Public School District high schools.
from 1975-90. The Jackson Mets were a Texas League
AA affiliate of the New York Mets
. The Mets moved into Smith–Wills stadium prior to the end of construction. At the home opener for the Mets in 1975, the stadium still lacked a roof over the press-box, and still had an unpaved parking lot.
. After the 1999 season, the Generals were sold to an investment group headed by Major League Baseball
hall of famer Nolan Ryan
, and were relocated to the newly built Dell Diamond
in Round Rock, Texas
. Then owner Con Maloney cited poor attendance as well as an aging stadium with no future upgrades or renovations planned as a reason for the demise of the team.
but is now defunct.
from 2002 to 2005. The Jackson Senators were an independent team and played in the Central Baseball League
. In 2005, affiliated Minor League Baseball
returned to the Jackson, MS market with the arrival of the Mississippi Braves
in nearby Pearl. This soon signaled the end of the Senators tenure in Jackson, as well as the end of professional baseball at Smith-Wills Stadium. Although the Senators (playing at Smith–Wills) competed directly with the M-Braves (playing at nearby Trustmark Park
) with some success in the 2005 season, they did not return in 2006.
built an on-campus stadium of their own, the Tigers played games at Smith–Wills stadium.
college and university students the opportunity to play highly competitive summer league baseball.
.
), its proximity to the majority of the Jackson Metropolitan Area
's population base, as well as already having access to necessary infrastructure for replacement makes it a prime candidate for the city when such talks arise. Former mayor Frank Melton
pushed for the city of Jackson to tear down the stadium and replace it with a 12,000 seat privately-funded arena, but never garnered much support from the rest of his administration.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
. It is located on Lakeland Drive, less than half a mile east of Interstate 55
Interstate 55
Interstate 55 is an Interstate Highway in the central United States. Its odd number indicates that it is a north–south Interstate Highway. I-55 goes from LaPlace, Louisiana at Interstate 10 to Chicago at U.S. Route 41 , at McCormick Place. A common nickname for the highway is "double...
, in the northeastern part of the city.
History
The stadium was built atop a landfillLandfill
A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
in a move by Jackson administration to lure in a Professional Minor League baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team. It opened in 1975. Over the years, it has hosted professional baseball as well as musical concerts. In 1999, the stadium hosted its final affiliated professional baseball game, and in 2005 its final professional game. With the addition of FieldTurf artificial turf, Smith–Wills was converted into a true multipurpose facility, able to host a variety of sports and events including football and soccer. Smith–Wills is still used as a venue for MHSAA football events for Jackson Public School District high schools.
Mets
Smith–Wills Stadium was the home of the Jackson MetsJackson Mets
The Jackson Mets were a professional baseball team based in Jackson, Mississippi, from 1975 through 1990. As of 2010, they are the longest-tenured club to be based in the Jackson metropolitan area...
from 1975-90. The Jackson Mets were a Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
AA affiliate of the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. The Mets moved into Smith–Wills stadium prior to the end of construction. At the home opener for the Mets in 1975, the stadium still lacked a roof over the press-box, and still had an unpaved parking lot.
Generals
Smith–Wills Stadium was the home of the Jackson Generals from 1991-99. The Jackson Generals were a Texas League AA affiliate of the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. After the 1999 season, the Generals were sold to an investment group headed by Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
hall of famer Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
, and were relocated to the newly built Dell Diamond
Dell Diamond
The Dell Diamond is the home stadium of the Round Rock Express, the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Texas Rangers major league baseball team...
in Round Rock, Texas
Round Rock, Texas
Round Rock is a city in Travis and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the metropolitan area. The 2010 census places the population at 99,887....
. Then owner Con Maloney cited poor attendance as well as an aging stadium with no future upgrades or renovations planned as a reason for the demise of the team.
DiamondKats
Smith-Wills Stadium was the home of the Jackson DiamondKats in 2000. The Jackson DiamondKats were an independent team and played in the Texas-Louisiana League, which changed its name in 2005 to the Central Baseball LeagueCentral Baseball League
The Central Baseball League, formerly the Texas-Louisiana League, was a minor league whose member teams were independent of any Major League Baseball affiliations.In 1991, potential owners, Dallas businessman Byron Pierce and U. S...
but is now defunct.
Senators
Smith–Wills Stadium was the home of the Jackson SenatorsJackson Senators
The Jackson Senators was the name of at least two minor league baseball teams that played in Jackson, Mississippi.-First team:The first known Jackson Senators club competed in the Cotton States League before 1953...
from 2002 to 2005. The Jackson Senators were an independent team and played in the Central Baseball League
Central Baseball League
The Central Baseball League, formerly the Texas-Louisiana League, was a minor league whose member teams were independent of any Major League Baseball affiliations.In 1991, potential owners, Dallas businessman Byron Pierce and U. S...
. In 2005, affiliated Minor League Baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
returned to the Jackson, MS market with the arrival of the Mississippi Braves
Mississippi Braves
The Mississippi Braves, or M-Braves as they are referred to locally, are a minor league baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson. The team is the Class AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, and plays in the Southern League. The team is owned and operated by Liberty Media, which...
in nearby Pearl. This soon signaled the end of the Senators tenure in Jackson, as well as the end of professional baseball at Smith-Wills Stadium. Although the Senators (playing at Smith–Wills) competed directly with the M-Braves (playing at nearby Trustmark Park
Trustmark Park
Trustmark Park is the home of the Mississippi Braves, Class AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and is located in Pearl, Mississippi, USA. The ballpark, which opened April 18, 2005, has capacity for nearly 7,500 fans. There are 5,500 chair-back seats in the reserved seating areas. The grass berm...
) with some success in the 2005 season, they did not return in 2006.
Jackson State University Tigers
For a short time while Jackson State UniversityJackson State University
Jackson State University is a historically black university founded in 1877 in Natchez, MS by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. The Society moved the school to Jackson in 1882, renaming it Jackson College, and developed its present campus in 1902. It became a state supported...
built an on-campus stadium of their own, the Tigers played games at Smith–Wills stadium.
Cotton State League
Smith–Wills Stadium hosted two teams in the short-lived Cotton State League in the mid 2000's. The wooden bat league was unique in that it provided local MississippiMississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
college and university students the opportunity to play highly competitive summer league baseball.
Urban Baseball League
Smith–Wills Stadium will be the home of the proposed Urban Baseball League, a league created by former major league ballplayers Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd and Delino DeShields.Belhaven University Baseball
Smith–Wills Stadium is currently the home of the Blazers of Belhaven University. The Blazers are an NAIA team in the Southern States Athletic ConferenceSouthern States Athletic Conference
The Southern States Athletic Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. The 16 member universities compete in 13 sports in the NAIA. Basketball teams compete in Division I of the NAIA.-History:...
.
Possible Demolition
The Smith–Wills Stadium site is often cited by Jackson city officials, as well as area developers as a possible location for a new Multipurpose arena the city claims it desperately needs. The stadium's location near two of the metro areas main thoroughfares (Lakeland Drive and Interstate 55Interstate 55
Interstate 55 is an Interstate Highway in the central United States. Its odd number indicates that it is a north–south Interstate Highway. I-55 goes from LaPlace, Louisiana at Interstate 10 to Chicago at U.S. Route 41 , at McCormick Place. A common nickname for the highway is "double...
), its proximity to the majority of the Jackson Metropolitan Area
Jackson metropolitan area
The Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area in the central region of the U.S. state of Mississippi that covers five counties: Copiah, Hinds, Madison, Rankin, and Simpson. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 497,197...
's population base, as well as already having access to necessary infrastructure for replacement makes it a prime candidate for the city when such talks arise. Former mayor Frank Melton
Frank Melton
Frank Ervin Melton was the mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, United States, from 4 July 2005 until his death on 7 May 2009. Melton, an African American, defeated the city's first black mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. Melton won 63 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary against Johnson, who had...
pushed for the city of Jackson to tear down the stadium and replace it with a 12,000 seat privately-funded arena, but never garnered much support from the rest of his administration.