Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Marsh Field 1800 Peck St. Muskegon, MI 49441
Year Opened: 1916 Capacity: 600
Muskegon's Century Old Ballpark
Marsh Field in Muskegon, Michigan, has been the home to all levels of baseball, from high school, minor league, and women’s professional teams since May 4, 1916. It has been the home of the Muskegon Clippers of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate team since 2015, and they continue the tradition left by many others in the past.
Charles W. Marsh, a prominent industrialist, civic leader, and president of minor league clubs in Muskegon, spearheaded construction. He purchased four square blocks of property in the center of town and built a modern facility to attract a new team to town after one of the city’s ballparks was dismantled and replaced with homes.
The new stadium would eventually seat 6,000 people. It would be home to various minor league teams, including the Muskegon Red and the original Clippers, which served as parent clubs for the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees, respectively. The Tigers sponsored the 1940 team and provided funds to upgrade Marsh Field, including additional open bleacher seating.
Marsh Field was home to the Muskegon Lassies of the All-American Girls Baseball League from 1946-1950. The Lassies averaged close to 2,500 people per game. The large crowds might have been attributed to the light towers installed for the first time. In 1953, the Muskegon Belles of the AAGPBL would call the stadium home before folding, concluding an era of professional baseball at Marsh Field and in Muskegon.
The field was in squalid conditions when current Clippers management took over the field in 2015. Every dime collected by the team has been put back into the stadium and has included a new infield, scoreboard, party deck seating, paint job, stadium seating, and improved lighting and sound system.
Food & Beverage 3
A small concession stand at the front of the seating bowl ramp offers hot dogs, brats, and nachos between $3 and $4. Fans order by the bun and take it to the grill, where a sizzling brat or dog is served to them directly. Other items include candy, chips, popcorn, and peanuts. Coca-Cola products sell for $2.50 a bottle.
An alcohol kiosk in the seating bowl includes cans of Bud, Bud Light, and Michelob Ultra. Nutrl Hard Seltzers and local Unruly Brewing Company cans are available between $4-$5, but a dollar off when the beer batter strikes out.
Atmosphere 3
The Clippers provided a pleasant atmosphere for home games at Marsh Field. The venue offers food, beverages, merchandise, plenty of fans, and baseball. The 600-seat stadium is separated into bleacher seats and stadium seats, along with small party decks and suites at each end of the concourse.
A merchandise kiosk is down the ramp from the seating bowl. An impressive collection of t-shirts and caps are available and nicely displayed. The small concession stand and grill move fans quickly during the game. A small decorative scoreboard is behind right-center field. A historical plaque is at the entrance, detailing the field’s history in Muskegon.
The atmosphere is similar to other ballparks in the league from Lima, Royal Oak, and Grand Lake. It is intimate, affordable, and pleasant during a summer's evening.
Neighborhood 4
Marsh Field is located 1.5 miles from downtown Muskegon where there are more than a few options for food and drink before or after the ball game. Trinity Health Area is the home to indoor soccer, junior hockey, and indoor football, but it also anchors two eating establishments: Rad Dad’s Taco & Tequila and Carlise’s Restaurant.
Visitors can eat inside while watching a sporting event at the arena, or take a walk around the concourse to get a personal tour of the sports venue. Rad Dad’s offers $1 tacos on Tuesdays, and Carlise’s has a happy hour menu between 2 pm-6 pm.
Across the street is Dr. Rolf’s Barbecue, and next to the arena is Topshelf Pizza Liquor & Bar. All four establishments provide patio seating for customers in a lively downtown atmosphere. The Muskegon Museum of History & Science at the Lakeshore Museum Center is around the corner from these restaurants.
A few miles outside downtown are the white-sand beaches of Pere Marquette Park. Visitors can stroll through the sands, take a dip in Lake Michigan, or hang out at The Deck, where barbecue and music take center stage at the double-decker restaurant.
Fans 4
The Clippers have a great fan base that supports the club throughout the season. The fan support is similar in a few other Great Lakes Leagues of similar size. Fans wear Clippers t-shirts and caps, and local groups provide ample support on most nights.
Access 3
Marsh Field is small and easy to get around. A small concourse separates the bleacher seats from the box seats. Concessions, bathrooms, and a merchandise kiosk are outside the seating bowl area. A large parking lot provides enough space for cars.
Return on Investment 3
An adult ticket is $5, seniors 65 and older are $3, students are $3, and kids under 5 years old are free. Parking is free of charge, t-shirts are $20, while caps are $30. Concession prices range from $3-$4 for a hot dog or nachos, and beer prices are $4-$5 a can.
Extras 3
Marsh Field earns a point for hosting baseball since 1916. A second point for the Clipper's array of t-shirts and caps at reasonable prices. A final point for the beer batter that takes a $1 off beer when the batter strikes out.
Final Thoughts
Marsh Field has seen plenty of baseball played since 1916, and the Clippers continue that tradition in the Great Lakes League. The cozy, intimate conditions of the ballpark and proximity to downtown Muskegon and nearby beaches are ideal travel sports for the baseball traveler during the summer months of June and July.
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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com