View source for Hyames Field

{{Short description|Baseball stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan}}
{{Infobox stadium
| name                = Hyames Field
| nickname            = 
| image               = Hyames_Field_(7166939224).jpg
| caption             = A view of Hyames Field from the right field corner during a game in 2012
| fullname            = Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field
| former_names        = 
| location            = [[Kalamazoo, Michigan]]<br>[[United States]]
| coordinates         = {{coord|42.284569|-85.602847|type:landmark|display=title, inline|format=dms}}
| pushpin_map            = USA
| pushpin_mapsize        = 
| pushpin_map_caption    = Location in the United States
| broke_ground        = 
| built               = 
| opened              = 1939
| renovated           = 2008–2010
| expanded            = 
| owner               = [[Western Michigan University]]
| operator            = [[Western Michigan University]]
| surface             = 
| scoreboard          = Electronic
| estimated_cost      = 
| suites              = 
| architect           = 
| capacity            = 1,500
| record_attendance   = 
| executive_suites    = 
| dimensions          = LF-310' (top of fence measures 16')<br> Left Center - 375 '<br> Center Field - 395 '<br> Right Center - 375'<br> Right Field - 335'
| acreage             = 
| tenants             = [[Western Michigan Broncos baseball|Western Michigan Broncos]] ([[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]])<br>(1939–present)
}}

'''Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field''' is a [[baseball]] stadium located in [[Kalamazoo, Michigan]], United States, on the campus of [[Western Michigan University]].  It opened in 1939, and serves as the home field for the [[Western Michigan Broncos baseball]] program. The stadium hosted the inaugural [[College World Series]] in [[1947 College World Series|1947]] and again in [[1948 College World Series|1948]].

==History==
Originally constructed in 1939, it was part of a $250,000 project that also included the construction of the adjacent [[Waldo Stadium]], home of the WMU football team.  

The baseball field was dedicated and opened in the spring of 1939, and was named for [[Judson Hyames]], who had coached the baseball squads at WMU from 1922–36. He accumulated a record of 166–62–6, and had accomplished one of the more successful records in the region. Hyames also served as athletic director at Western Michigan. The stadium itself was renamed in 2008 after a $1 million donation by Robert J. Bobb.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=120529 |title=Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field - WMUBroncos.com—Official Web Site of Western Michigan Athletics |publisher=Wmubroncos.com |access-date=July 8, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129140856/http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=120529 |archive-date=January 29, 2013 }}</ref>

Carved out of a hill alongside Stadium Drive, Hyames Field was able to offer a unique playing environment. Features include hill banks down both foul lines, in particular the right field side, which is an open grassy [[hillock|knoll]] popular with spectators. The original construction also included concrete seating behind [[home plate]], along with [[restrooms]], concessions, and storage facilities located beneath the seating. This structure had been completely covered by a permanent roof; however, the roof had fallen into disrepair in recent years and was removed in the winter of 2005. The 2006 baseball season continued without the roof, although the steel [[girder]]s for it remained. Other renovations and additions over the years have included an electronic [[scoreboard]], [[batting cage]]s, and more effective turf management.

In 2008, Robert J. Bobb, chief executive officer of Cardinal Growth L.P. and a 1969 WMU alumnus, committed $1 million to the renovations of Hyames Field, which was later dedicated as "Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field" on May 14, 2011. The project included grandstand restoration, the installation of chairback seating, construction of new walkways, dugouts, press box, two VIP suites, bathrooms and a concession area. Other major donors included members of the 1955 WMU baseball team and [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] executive and WMU alum [[Bill Lajoie]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=120529 |title=Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field |access-date=2013-07-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129140856/http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=120529 |archive-date=2013-01-29 }}</ref>

==College World Series==
At the time of construction, the facilities of Hyames Field were considered to be some of the best in the country. The site was the home of the first two [[College World Series]] in 1947 and 1948.  The 1947 contest was particularly memorable, featuring future [[American League MVP]] [[Jackie Jensen]] of [[University of California, Berkeley|Cal]] in the [[outfield]].  In the same contest, future [[President of the United States|United States President]] [[George H. W. Bush]] played [[first base]] for the [[Yale]] squad.  The CWS moved to [[Wichita, Kansas]] in 1949, and to [[Omaha, Nebraska]] in 1950, where it has been featured since.

==See also==
* [[List of NCAA Division I baseball venues]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.wmubroncos.com/facilities/?id=7 Official Website]
{{Western Michigan University}}
{{Mid-American Conference baseball venue navbox}}
{{Michigan NCAA Division I college baseball venue navbox}}
{{College World Series}}

[[Category:Western Michigan Broncos baseball]]
[[Category:College baseball venues in Michigan]]
[[Category:Sports in Kalamazoo, Michigan]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kalamazoo, Michigan]]
[[Category:Event venues established in 1939]]
[[Category:1939 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Kalamazoo, Michigan]]