Forest Glen Park - Huntington University Foresters

Photos Courtesy of Google

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43

Forest Glen Park 2303 College Ave. Huntington, IN 46750

Huntington University Foresters website Forest Glen Park website

Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 700

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Indiana’s Baseball Best Kept Secret

Forest Glen Park on the campus of Huntington University might be the best-kept secret in Indiana. It is a ballpark unlike any other in the state; small in size, it has an ambiance that is different than others in NAIA up to Division 1.

The team's media guide mentions that “Forest Glen Park has developed into one of the finest and most unique baseball facilities, not only in the state but also in the midwest.” The ballpark is surrounded by three sides of the water, a scenic incline, lush forestry during the spring and summer, and the walkable trail leading down to the third-base side entrance.

The Huntington Foresters are members of the Crossroads League, an athletic conference composed of NAIA private Christian colleges in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. The university was founded in 1897 and has an enrollment of slightly over 1,000 students.

The baseball team called the site home well before renovations began in 2007. In 2015, several major upgrades were made from dugout to dugout, including new stadium seating, a modern press box, a new concession stand, and restrooms. A new turf, laser-graded outfield, and bullpens were added in time for the 2022 season.

Food & Beverage 3

The ballpark has a small concession stand behind the main grandstand. The kitchen offers the basics one would expect at a baseball game, including hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, soda pop, and candy. It isn’t a wide variety of food, but enough to keep you from going hungry during a game.

Atmosphere 4

The diamond is down a small hill surrounded by trees, trails, and a small creek behind the grandstand. Fans enter the ballpark on the third baseline, and a series of picnic tables dot the area towards the main grandstand. The stadium feels like it was built in the middle of the woods;  the sounds of the babbling brook add a soothing south near the concession stand.

The grandstand has stadium-style seating along with bleacher seating and is decorated with past championships and retired numbers. The school’s name is bright and bold on top of the press box. Fans in their seats have a wonderful view of the field, despite being behind fencing.

There is more bleacher seating behind the left-field corner wall. The area has a small hill that provides views behind the centerfield wall but also borders a private residence. A ten-inning scoreboard and a small wooden bridge used to retrieve foul balls across the creek complete the ballpark’s aesthetics that hold a capacity of 900 persons.

The game-day atmosphere offers music between innings, a PA announcer, and plenty of fans making noise for the boys on the field. There isn’t a lot of advertising or above-the-average promotions blasting from the speakers. Everything about the ballpark is relaxed and pleasant, especially from behind the grandstand near the babbling brook.

Neighborhood 3

Huntington, Indiana, has a population of 17,000 plus and a downtown that is slowly rebuilding with a series of independent shops and restaurants. It is recommended to visit either, or a few, of them after you visit a Foresters ball game to complement your trip.

Antiqology has a collection of memorabilia from the past century but is known for its homemade ice cream, milkshakes, cola, and root beer. There is also a 100-bottle craft soda available at their shop. Ice cream flavors include cinnamon churro and Jacked Up Tennessee Toffee, but milkshakes include Nutella, Rice Crispy Treat, and peanut butter brownie.

A few feet away is The Party Shop, a candy store rich with decadent confectionaries. Nick’s Kitchen is a small diner that is known for inexpensive dinners and giant tenderloin sandwiches. Brick House Grill offers pub-style food and signature steaks. Pizza Junction is located in the old train depot and has some of the best pizzas in the area.

There is quite a bit to see in town including the Dan Quayle Vice-Presidential Learning Center, Two-EE’s Winery (their Plonqé is a delicious sweet red wine), historic settlements at the Forks of the Wabash, and scenic walking trails at the Sunken Gardens. Timber Lake offers camping grounds and zip-lining.

Fans 3

The fans at the game support both clubs as you can see the colors of both schools in the grandstand. This is not shocking since most of the colleges are within reasonable driving distance for weekend games. Fans are focused on the game and many are friends and family, but there are also quite a bit of local fans and students who make their presence felt throughout the nine innings of play.

Access 3

The ballpark is located down a hill and will be hard to access for fans with limited mobility. Although not seen, a golf cart brings fans to the entrance of the stadium, but there is still a walk to the main grandstand. However, once inside the stadium, bathrooms and concession stands are directly behind the grandstand. There is only one entrance in and out of the stadium.

Return on Investment 4

A ticket costs $7 for adults, $3 for children, and free for students. Many NAIA baseball teams do not charge admission, but this one is nice enough that you might not mind paying a small fee. Parking is free and each ticket comes with a complimentary game day program/yearbook.

Extras 4

Forest Glen Park earns several points including its beautiful setting at the bottom of a tree-covered hill featuring a creek and walking trails. The ballpark earns a second point for the small bridge over the creek to retrieve foul balls. The third and fourth points are for the outfield bleacher seating, a rarity in college ball in the state, and the free seating on the hill overlooking the playing field. The final point is for the free gameday program that’s included with the price of admission. 

Final Thoughts

Huntington University’s Glen Park in Huntington, Indiana might be the best ballpark you've ever heard of in the state. I say this because no other ballpark is quite of the Huntington University baseball program. Trust me, I've been to almost all of them in the Hoosier State. However, this one stands out among the list of other great baseball stadiums.