Elmer Kelley Stadium - Madisonville Miners

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey & Nicholas Carey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14

Elmer Kelly Stadium Cs-1220 Madisonville, KY 42431

Madisonville Miners website Elmer Kelley Stadium website

Year Opened: 1941 Capacity: 700

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Baseball at Historic Elmer Kelley Stadium

Elmer Kelley Stadium is home to the Madisonville Miners of the Ohio Valley League, a six-team summer collegiate loop. The stadium and park were constructed by the WPA and the city, with the city serving as sponsor for $200,000. It had its dedication on Memorial Day 1941, featuring a semi-pro baseball game.

The Miners began operations as the Tidewater Pirates in 1999 in nearby Dawson Springs, Kentucky, and relocated to Madisonville in 2012. They changed their name to the Miners in 2014 to honor the region’s mining industry, which is still active.

The name Miners has been used for many baseball teams since 1916, the last being a team in the Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League from 1946-1955. That rendition of the ball club played at Elmer Kelley Stadium before the loop folded. Semi-pro and high school teams would utilize the stadium after their demise.

The baseball plant was known as Municipal Park Stadium until it was renamed in 1976 to honor Elmer Kelley, who had passed away in 1973. Kelley was the former sports editor and advertising manager of the Madisonville Messenger and was instrumental in reforming the Kitty League after the war.

The stadium has seen improvements since its first game that have included new aluminum bleachers and a roof in 1986, installation of new dugouts in 1995, new lighting and a scoreboard in 2002, and a new backstop that was built and painted by the Booster Club. The concrete outfield walls have remained untouched since their opening day.

Food & Beverage 3

The stadium offers standard ballpark options, including hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, and soda. A small concession stand provides customers with quick and easy service during the game. There are enough items to snack on during the game. The prices are reasonably priced.

Atmosphere 3

A Miners game encompasses a small-town feel that includes a laid-back night of baseball. Fans enjoy close-up views of top collegiate players with a relaxed social environment where locals, board members, and host families mingle.

The stadium features a covered grandstand with eight rows of bleacher-style seating, a press box situated next to it on the third base side, and fencing to protect patrons from foul balls and splintered bats. There are a few fans who set up lawn chairs on the third base side of the stadium for a closer view of the field, which is slightly above concourse level. An electric scoreboard in center field lights up in red.

Throughout the game, promotions such as 50/50, guess the song, and free giveaways take place. One of them is for the player on the Miners who can swat a home run over the Big Mac Land sign in left field; everyone in attendance gets a coupon for a free Big Mac. The team also hosts other promotional nights that give back to the community.

Neighborhood 3

The stadium is inside Madisonville City Park, a 200-acre city park that features amenities like mini-golf, lakes, and walking paths. It is less than 2 miles from downtown, which offers an array of shops, eateries, and other attractions. However, check out the many murals from local artists and the famous Big Blue Chair.

Ferrell's Snappy Service is a small diner that sells burgers, breakfast, and chili fries and has been a staple since 1929. The Crowded House offers American pub fare, while The Oasis Southwest Grill puts a spin on their menu for a local palate. Country Cupboard is known for its fried chicken, and Hobo Mickey's Pizza House is a place to go for pizza and good times.

There are outdoor activities, including Mahr Park Arboretum, a 265-acre nature area with walking trails, gardens, kayaking, and Kentucky’s largest official winged elm tree; then head to Grapevine Lake & Bike Trails for a quieter getaway with non-motorized access via a boat ramp and about 8 miles of mountain bike paths. Glema Mahr Center for the Arts, a state-of-the-art regional theater and art gallery, offers concerts, theatrical performances, and visual art exhibitions.

Fans 4

The crowds at Miners games draw well on weekend games, but many attend games throughout the week year after year. They enjoy the new crop of players coming up each summer and support them any way they can.

Access 3

Elmer Kelley Stadium is inside Madisonville City Park. It can be reached by accessing McCoy Avenue and Park Avenue. There is ample parking outside of the stadium, and once inside, the small size of the venue makes it easy to access seating, restrooms, and concessions.

Return on Investment 4

Tickets to games are $7, and children under the age of 9 are admitted free of charge. Concession prices are fairly low, with hot dogs at $3 and popcorn at $2. The club sells a line of high-quality merchandise at a table during the game.

Extras 2

The stadium earns an extra point for its history pictures on the outside walls of the ballpark. It is called the Hopkins County Timeline, and it highlights former players, past citizens, and events that made the era famous. The second point is for a WPA building that still looks good all these years later.

Final Thoughts

Elmer Kelley Stadium is a nice way to spend an evening in Madisonville, Kentucky. The WPA ballpark is designed to enjoy the game the way it was meant to be, without overproduction of promotions and loud PA system sounds. Downtown is worth visiting and spending time in as well. It is a step back in time for some, but to many, it's business as usual.

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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com