Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park 2204 Henry St Ashland, VA 23005
Year Opened: 2011
Capacity: 500
Home of the Yellow Jackets
Randolph-Macon University is located in picturesque Ashland, Virginia, and has been listed among U.S. News & World Report’s 150 best national liberal arts colleges. Randolph-Macon’s athletic programs compete in the NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The Yellow Jacket’s baseball program calls Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park home. This beautiful ballpark has a capacity of 500 obstruction-free viewings and is a perfect home for the Yellow Jackets.
Food & Beverage 2
There is a small tent near the entrance of the ballpark that has a small selection of snacks such as chips, popcorn, and candy. However, this is not a big deal as fans are free to bring in food and beverage as they wish.
Atmosphere 3
Although small, Hugh Stephens Field is an impressive ballpark for a Division III school. There are seven rows of seating that run from dugout to dugout. Two center sections behind the plate are chairbacks, while the other sections are bench back.
Many fans bring their camping chairs and set them up in the grassy area down the right field line. The exterior of the ballpark is encased in a sharp brick façade. There is a small scoreboard in left field that shows line score, ball, strike, out, etc. Due to the reflection of the sun, the scoreboard is hard to see in the late afternoon when the sun is setting behind the press box.
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Neighborhood 4
Randolph-Macon is located near downtown Ashland, Virginia, approximately 25 miles north of the capital city, Richmond. The downtown area of Ashland is very picturesque as railroad tracks run right through the middle of Railroad Ave.
There are several restaurants and shops on both sides of Railroad Ave. Randolph-Macon’s campus and Hugh Stephens Field are located just north of downtown Ashland and are easy walking distance from downtown. While downtown, you will almost certainly see a freight train or Amtrak pass through as the railroad tracks are very busy.
There are many local restaurants downtown including the Iron Horse, The Caboose Market 7 Café, Trackside Grill, and Origin Beer Lab. If you are looking for something sweet, both Sugar Fix Bakery and SweetFrog Frozen Yogurt are nearby. I-95 is about one mile from campus. In this area, you will find chain restaurants like Cracker Barrel and Chick-fil-A. A Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express are located in this area as well.
If you are looking for other sports to visit while in the area the Richmond Flying Squirrels are about 30 minutes to the south and the Fredericksburg Nationals are about 45 minutes to the north. Other college baseball teams in the area are the VCU Rams who play at The Diamond and the Richmond Spiders who play at Pitt Field.
Fans 1
Most of the fans in attendance are only family or players girlfriends. There is mild cheering from fans when the Yellow Jackets score, but that is about it. When we attended, there were almost as many visiting fans in attendance as there were Randolph Macon fans.
Access 3
Hugh Stephens Field is easily accessible from downtown Ashland and Interstate 95. Point your GPS to the Day Field, the Yellow Jackets football and lacrosse stadium, and it will direct you to a parking lot that is behind Day Field and adjacent to Hugh Stephens Field. Parking here is free on the weekends and is also free along Center Street if the lot is full.
Entrance to Hugh Stephens Field is easy as there are no tickets or security. There is a large brick entranceway that reads “Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park.” There are no restrooms inside the ballpark, but there are two porta-johns outside the entrance. There is a handicapped-accessible ramp to get up to the seating bowl and reserved spots for wheelchairs on the front row.
Return on Investment 5
Hugh Stephens Field offers free parking and free admission for all home games.
Extras 2
An extra point for plaques on the brick façade under the press box telling the history and donors of Randolph Macon Baseball. A second extra point for free programs that are in a mailbox as you enter the ballpark.
Final Thoughts
Randolph Macon is probably not anyone’s first choice for baseball in the Richmond area. However, if you are in the area and the Yellow Jackets are playing, Hugh Stephens Field is a nice little ballpark to check out.