Muhlenberg to Lease Allentown’s Bicentennial Park for New Home Baseball Facility
The park will be home to Mules baseball and programs for both city residents and Muhlenberg students.By: Mike Falk Friday, February 9, 2024 04:00 PM
A rendering of Muhlenberg's future home baseball facilityMuhlenberg has reached an agreement with the City of Allentown to make ECTB Stadium at Earl F. Hunsicker Bicentennial Park the College’s home baseball facility, beginning in the 2025 season.
“We’re really proud of our partnership with the city on this project,” says President Kathleen Harring. “This is what happens when we all strive together for the common good. It’s going to be an outstanding ballfield once again. I look forward to seeing the Mules play there.”
As part of the partnership between Muhlenberg and Allentown, the College will revitalize the venerable facility located at Lehigh and South Howard Streets on the south side of the city and provide for its maintenance and upkeep.
“Bicentennial Park is an important part of Allentown’s recreation infrastructure and anchors an awesome neighborhood,” says Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk. “So I’m excited about Muhlenberg’s investment there and the energy that their athletic program will bring to the city.”
In addition to returning competitive baseball to the neighborhood, the agreement also calls for free monthly community baseball clinics and other volunteer opportunities and service projects.
“Bicentennial Field is such a great spot, and we’re excited about rejuvenating it,” Harring says. “It’s going to add not only to our student-athletes’ experience, but also to the neighborhood. We’re looking forward to welcoming friends and neighbors for games, clinics and all the other activities we’re planning.”
The work on the park will be completed in two phases, the first consisting of reconditioning the infield and outfield; demolishing sections of bleachers to allow for the construction of new bullpens and batting cages; installing new, expanded outfield fencing and netting; and refurbishing the dugouts and restrooms.
“We’re really proud of our partnership with the city on this project. This is what happens when we all strive together for the common good. It’s going to be an outstanding ballfield once again. I look forward to seeing the Mules play there.”
—President Kathleen Harring
The second phase involves renovation of interior spaces for locker rooms and offices and sprucing up of exterior fencing, concessions, ticket booths and other areas of the facility.
“I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard on this project over the last few months,” says Tod Gross, head coach of the Muhlenberg baseball team since 2013. “The project will not only benefit our baseball program, but it will benefit Muhlenberg College and the City of Allentown. I believe that our alumni and current players will all be excited to call Bicentennial Park home.”
“Bicentennial Park is an important part of Allentown’s recreation infrastructure and anchors an awesome neighborhood. So I’m excited about Muhlenberg’s investment there and the energy that their athletic program will bring to the city.”
—Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk
Built in 1939 as Fairview Field, Bicentennial Park (renamed in 1976) has been home to several professional baseball and softball teams during its history. From 1997 to 2003, the Park was home to the Allentown Ambassadors of the independent Northeast League. More than a dozen Major League players played for or managed the Ambassadors. Most recently, Bicentennial was home to the Allentown Railers of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League from 2012 to 2019.
Since 1997, Muhlenberg has practiced and played their home games at the Lehigh County Sports Fields complex in West Allentown. The Mules have made six Centennial Conference playoff appearances.
“I think this is a huge step for the program, and I’m really excited for the opportunity to play at a brand-new stadium my senior year,” says Brendan Hughes ’25, an All-Centennial Conference first baseman. “I look forward to seeing the Mules play at Bicentennial Park for years to come and can’t wait to see where the program goes from here.”
