The West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, in conjunction with the WVU Foundation, has announced a generous gift from Ken Kendrick, Arizona Diamondbacks owner and WVU alumnus, to support the WVU Baseball program. The gift includes the renaming of Monongalia County Ballpark as the facility now will be known as Kendrick Family Ballpark at the Monongalia County Baseball Complex.
The venue’s new name will honor the Kendrick Family and its ties to not only WVU but the state of West Virginia.
“I am grateful to Ken and the entire Kendrick Family for their continued partnership,” WVU President Gordon Gee said. “This latest gift builds on an incredible history of support for West Virginia University and the Mountain State, and once again underscores their passion for ensuring WVU shines in the Big 12 Conference, the most comprehensively competitive league in the country.”
The gift also allows for upgrades to the Monongalia County Baseball Complex to add an indoor pitching and hitting facility that will be accessible to the Mountaineer baseball program year-round.
“What a giant step forward for Mountaineer baseball to add this year-round facility to our training and practice schedule,” WVU Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “Ken Kendrick is a friend to WVU, our athletics department and Mountaineer baseball, and it is with great pride that this ballpark be renamed to honor his family and his legacy.
“Ken is a great baseball man, and he knows the challenges that baseball faces in our part of the country. This hitting and pitching facility located at Kendrick Family Ballpark will have a tremendous impact on Mountaineer baseball and the Monongalia County community.”
The addition to the ballpark will add an 8,200 square-foot structure next to the current clubhouse and include two regulation-size pitching lanes, a soft toss area and two full-size batting lanes. The pitching and batting areas will be outfitted with state-of-the-art Trackman technology to help coaches and players analyze performance. Completion of the indoor hitting and pitching facility is scheduled for February 2025.
“My family and I are longtime supporters of WVU baseball and are very honored to have our names associated with the home ballpark of the Mountaineers,” Kendrick said. “We hope our gift of the state of the art hitting and pitching laboratories will enhance the development of both current and future WVU players.”
The ballpark is one of the premier collegiate venues in the country with a capacity of 3,500 spectators. Touted as one of the best collaboration efforts ever in the state, a Tax Increment Fund (TIF) was established and enabled the stadium to open its gates in 2015. Since then, the Mountaineers hold a 128-67 (.656) record in the facility and have posted eight winning seasons. WVU hosted an NCAA baseball regional at the ballpark in 2019, which marked the first time for a baseball postseason game in Morgantown since 1955.
“The Ballpark was created through an unprecedented collaboration between Monongalia County, WVU, local developers and officials,” Sean Sikora, Monongalia County Commission President, said. “The facility is a community asset and a source of great pride and on behalf of the Monongalia County Commission, we are very excited for this next step in its evolution.”
The venue was named the BaseballParks.com Ballpark of the Year in 2015. The annual award recognizes a new or remodeled stadium with the best combination of site selection, exterior appearance, architectural design and fan amenities.
“We appreciate Ken Kendrick’s strong passion for his alma mater and his commitment to build upon his family’s incredible legacy of support for WVU,” Cindi Roth, president and CEO of the WVU Foundation, said. “Ken’s generosity extends far beyond his gifts to athletics, academics, health care and more. He was a devoted member of the WVU Foundation board for many years, and he continues to share his time and expertise as one of the world’s leading entrepreneurs to strengthen many aspects across the University and its programs. This latest contribution will undoubtedly benefit WVU Baseball and the Mountain State for years to come.”
West Virginia opens the Big 12 Conference home season at Kendrick Family Ballpark this afternoon at 3 p.m. against BYU. The Mountaineers captured a share of the Big 12 regular season championship last year. The BYU series also marks the first conference games on the new artificial surface installed over the winter on Wagener Field. The field portion of the ballpark was named after WVU baseball alum Rick Wagener and his wife, Jay, in 2022.
A dedication ceremony to honor the Kendrick family will be announced at a later time. Tickets for West Virginia baseball home games at Kendrick Family Ballpark are on sale online at WVUGAME.com or by calling the Mountaineer Ticket Office at 1-800-WVU-GAME.
Additional Statements on Kendrick Family Ballpark:
WVU Head Baseball Coach Randy Mazey:
“I would like to thank Ken Kendrick for his friendship and for his generous donation to WVU Baseball that will enable us to build a desperately needed indoor pitching and hitting lab. This facility will continue to propel our baseball program forward on our path to the College World Series. I know I can speak for Mountaineer baseball fans everywhere when I say, thank you, Ken, you are a great Mountaineer!”
West Virginia Black Bears General Manager Leighann Sainato:
“Having this level of support from such a distinguished alumnus benefits the entire community. It’s through the generosity of those like Mr. Kendrick and his family that baseball continues to grow in Morgantown. We look forward to our Opening Day at Kendrick Family Ballpark.”