Babb Field at Stromberg Stadium – Johns Hopkins Blue Jays

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00

Babb Field at Stromberg Stadium W University Parkway Baltimore MD 21210

Johns Hopkins Blue Jays website

Babb Field at Stromberg Stadium website

Year Opened: 2015

Capacity: 650

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Blue Jays Baseball in Baltimore

Johns Hopkins University is often known for its successful lacrosse programs but it has many sports teams that are very successful. Although the men's and women's lacrosse programs are allowed to compete in Division I under a grandfather clause, the remainder of Hopkins' teams compete in Division III, the lowest level of NCAA athletics. The university was named after its first benefactor, the American entrepreneur, abolitionist, and philanthropist Johns Hopkins.

The Johns Hopkins Blue Jays baseball team plays its home games at Babb Field at Stromberg Stadium, a small but modern ballpark which opened on the Hopkins campus in 2015. Its name honors legendary Hopkins baseball coach Bobb Babb, who won over 1,000 games and led the Blue Jays to 18 NCAA Division III Tournament appearances and reached the College World Series three times. It also honors Bill Stromberg, a university trustee and former baseball and football player.

Food & Beverage 0

There is no food or drink for sale at Babb Field at Stromberg Stadium, but fans are free to bring their own.

Atmosphere 4

Babb Field at Stromberg Stadium is an intimate venue, seating only about 650 fans, but it is just the right size for the team. All seats are chairbacks (always a plus at this level) and are very close to the action. You will have a great view of the field and of the beautiful brick buildings of Baltimore across University Boulevard.

There is a scoreboard in left field which looks like it should have the capability of showing videos, or at least graphics. However, such functionality was not enabled when we visited. It does show the linescore, count, and other basic information.

Neighborhood 5

The University is located in the Charles Village and Homewood neighborhoods of Baltimore.

There are numerous bars and restaurants in the Charles Village area where Hopkins is located, such as THB Bagels, Gertrude’s at the BMA, and One World Café. You can also check out the Baltimore Museum of Art right down the street from campus.

A short walk or drive away is Miss Shirley’s Café on West Cold Spring Lane. They are well known locally for their numerous breakfast options and generous portions.

This is one of the nicest parts of Baltimore, with great restaurants and many attractions to visit before or after the game.

Fans 4

Johns Hopkins draws a couple hundred fans to a typical baseball game, but since the stadium only seats 650, this is a decent crowd. The crowd can get into the game when the Blue Jays are doing well, and clearly know a lot about the team and the players. Some are friends and family of the players, others are Hopkins alumni or other locals who have been coming to games for years. Regardless, they are into the team and focused on the action on the field.

Access 3

The Hopkins campus is a short drive off I-83. Once you arrive, there are several garages you can park in, with the San Martin Garage the closest, around a five minute walk away. There is a small lot next to the stadium, but fans are unable to park there.

The cost to park in the garages will vary depending on when you are visiting and what else is going on on campus that day as well as how long you are parked for. Typically, you take a ticket when you enter the garage and pay when you exit. On weekdays this could cost up to around $16, while on weekends it will be less. When normal parking rates are in effect, you can pay by credit card as you leave.

However, if the baseball game is going on at the same time as a lacrosse match, event rates at the garage will likely be in effect. This will range from $10-$20 and is payable by cash only upon entering. We would suggest coming prepared to pay via both methods, as it is possible only one will be accepted when you visit.

Once you get to the stadium, getting to the seating area is easy enough. A walkway wraps behind the concourse's brick back side, and steps and ramps will take you to the seating area. Restrooms are available all the way down the right field line in the corner by the tennis courts and are of a sufficient size for the crowds that typically attend.

Return on Investment 4

There is no charge to attend regular-season Johns Hopkins baseball games. However, the high cost of parking brings this score down a notch. For the best value, we suggest attending a game on a weekend when there is no lacrosse match going on. (That being said, if you also want to see a Hopkins lacrosse game, attending a baseball game on the same day can improve the value since you'll only need to pay once for parking.)

Extras 1

Look for the signage on the outfield fence honoring Johns Hopkins' conference titles and NCAA postseason appearances.

Final Thoughts

Although Johns Hopkins is best known for its lacrosse program, it has many other sports teams whose games are worth attending. Babb Field at Stromberg Stadium is a modern ballpark, nicer than many you would see at Division I, and a Hopkins baseball game here is definitely worth the visit.