Little League Central Region Complex - Central Region Little League
Updated: Aug 15
Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57
Little League Central Region Complex
7185 South Indianapolis Road
Whitestown, IN 46075
Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 500
Little League Baseball in Whitestown, Indiana
The Little League Central Region Complex is a 15-acre complex that serves as the headquarters and regional tournament home for Little League baseball and softball in the Midwest and Great Lakes region. It opened in June 2021 in Whitestown, Indiana, for close to $15 million.
The complex is home to a stadium, concession stand, batting cages, a gift shop, a picnic area, lights, an electronic scoreboard, and league offices. The grandstand has seating for 500 people and includes an additional five rows of bleacher seats behind the right field wall. The complex was designed for major regional tournaments and hosts 50 to 60 games a year. It is used and maintained by Little League Baseball and Softball.
The LL Central Regional Headquarters has been in the Indianapolis area since 1990. The first complex was built on the east side of town in Lawrence Township for $3 million. At the time, the 30-acre facility was the most up-to-date and expansive of its kind. It included five playing fields and three practice fields. It also had a dormitory to accommodate 204 people. The tournament relocated temporarily to Grand Park in Westfield for several years before moving to Whitestown.
The former Lawrence ballpark is now home to Cathedral High School.
Food & Beverage 3
There is a large concession stand that has a window for ordering and pickup. The stand's main items are all-beef hot dogs and nachos. You can top them off with chili and cheese, or pick up a nacho supreme with lettuce, tomatoes, and salsa. Other items include popcorn, pretzels, big pickles, chips, candy, and soft cookies. You can wash it all down with Pepsi products. A nice treat is Glover’s Ice Cream from nearby Frankfort, Indiana.
Atmosphere 4
The stadium is packed with fans from both teams, which included, during our visit, teams from Hamilton, Ohio, and La Grange, Kentucky. The simple grandstand is made up of chair-back and bleacher seating that sits underneath a roof and protective netting. The views are best from the upper portion of the grandstand, free from obstructed views of the visitors' dugout.
You will also find kids of all ages tossing a baseball or football outside the stadium in the grassy area, along with fans waiting in line for their concession items in between games or innings. A few more fans will stand against the fencing down the right field line to catch a glimpse of the action in between the camera cranes and ESPN crew. The most relaxed area is the bleacher seats in right field that are less crowded and perfect once the sun goes down.
There is a lot of cheering, music, and fan interaction during the game. The PA announcer has each team member dance to the “Cha Cha Slide Dance” before the game, a tradition that has taken place at the Whitestown location for several years. There are also moments in the game where sing-a-longs take place to involve the audience.
Neighborhood 4
The complex is adjacent to I-65 in a residential neighborhood. Across the interstate is a large shopping complex that is home to retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and fast food options. However, a few local restaurants and breweries are nearby.
Moontown Brewery is three miles north of the stadium and inside a former high school and gymnasium. The brewery offers a full-service restaurant and multiple taps from lagers to stouts. Aspen Creek Grill is a casual restaurant with hand-cut steaks, baby back ribs, and seafood. Texas Margaritas specializes in Mexican cuisine and beverages.
Paws on Tap is a dog-friendly location with 39 self-service pours of beer, hard seltzers, wine, and ciders, along with food options. Wally’s is a mega-travel center business model focused on clean restrooms, massive gas pump arrays, proprietary snacks, and road-trip merchandise.
The Little League tournament takes place in early August, the same time when the Indianapolis Indians play at Victory Field, and the Indiana Fever take to the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Fans 4
The fanbases were equally divided and provided plenty of cheering, roaring, and hollering before and during the game. There was no shortage of team colors, banners, signs, and other devices to show support for their young heroes on the diamond. There is never a dull moment or even an ounce of silence throughout the night. Most importantly, both sides are respectful to one another.
Access 3
The stadium offers a large grass parking area, along with two entry points into the grandstand. The concourse is narrow, but it's rather easy to get around; the seating does fill up well before the first pitch. The concession stands, team store, and restrooms are easily accessible behind the grandstand.
Return on Investment 4
Little League Baseball does not charge admission to the games or to the park for any tournament games. Concession prices range from $1 to $4 for items and merchandise in the gift shop, and they are on par with minor league stadiums. Free is always good for visiting a ballpark, and that is the case with the ballpark in Whitestown.
Extras 3
The stadium earns a point for free admission and parking. It earns a second point for additional bleacher seats in right field, and a final point for the covered grandstand.
Final Thoughts
The Little League Central Region Complex is a worthwhile addition to any ballpark road trip. Conveniently located just off I-65 in Whitestown, Indiana, and close to numerous restaurants, retail shops, and other attractions, it makes for an enjoyable stop during a summer baseball journey. Best of all, admission is free, concessions are reasonably priced, and the atmosphere is lively and welcoming, making it a fun destination for baseball fans of all ages.
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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com
