Historic Ballpark Reimagined & Enhanced

What began in 1949 as a hometown ballpark quickly became a destination for legendary moments in American sports history. Kalida’s Holy Name Ballpark opened to a crowd of nearly 5,000 fans and soon earned a reputation far beyond Northwest Ohio. The home of the Kalida High School Wildcats welcomed professional Negro League teams, including Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige, while also hosting games from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League made famous by A League of Their Own. Over the decades, the ballpark became a gathering place for semiprofessional baseball, state tournaments, and even world championship wrestling events.

The project scope features a new playing surface and drainage. The center piece is a recreation of the historic grandstands. The design respects and protects the recognizable character of the original structure while thoughtfully introducing modern amenities, accessibility improvements, and updated finishes that bring the facility into a new era.

What truly distinguishes the project, however, is the experience created beyond the grandstands. An outdoor exhibit serves as the focal point of a new public plaza, giving fans and visitors the opportunity to engage with the history that shaped the venue and the community around it.

The vision extends beyond the ballpark itself to enhance the entire corner of Price and 6th Streets in Kalida. A new concrete parking lot, fan zone, landscaping, and decorative streetscape improvements will transform the surrounding area into an attractive and inviting civic destination. Together, these improvements preserve the legacy of Holy Name Ballpark while creating a renewed sense of pride and energy for generations to come.