Preston Field - McDaniel Green Terror

Richard Smith
Apr 13
3 min read

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57

Preston Field 99 Stadium Dr Westminster, MD 21157

Home of the Green Terror

McDaniel College is a private four-year liberal arts college in Westminster, Maryland. It was established in 1867 and, until 2002, was known as Western Maryland College. The name of the college did not reflect the geographic placement of the school, as it is not located in the western part of the state. Instead, it was named for the Western Maryland Railroad, which shared some common board members.

The new name of the college honors alumnus William Roberts McDaniel and his 65-year association with the school. Westminster is located 30 miles northwest of Baltimore and is a far suburb of that city. Over 160,000 people live in the area and the surrounding area of Carroll County, Maryland.

The college has a strong history in its football program, but the basketball team has not been noted nearly as much for its history. The unique Green Terror’s name stems from how teams would describe the Western Maryland players as “Terrors” on the field. The name stuck, and since 1923, they have been known as the Green Terror.

McDaniel College plays as a member of the Division III Centennial Conference against schools such as Johns Hopkins University, Ursinus College, and Franklin & Marshall College.

Food & Beverage 1

There is no permanent food options at Preston Field, but many games will have one of the student organizations selling some very basic snacks. It would be best to bring your own food.

Atmosphere 2

Preston Field sits up on a hill on the McDaniel campus, tucked in among the trees and right next to a bunch of other athletic facilities.

They have several sets of bleachers, but they're scattered all over the place. The ones behind home plate are set at an awkward angle behind a metal fence, so the view isn't great. You’re better off grabbing a seat in the bleachers further down the foul line. The sightlines are much better there, though the padded top of the fence might still block a little bit of the action low to the ground. If you really want the best view and don't mind being on your feet, your best bet is to just stand right behind the home plate backstop. Another great option is the hill that juts above the center field fence.

We also noticed the field seems to have quite a slope in its outfield.

Out in the outfield, there’s a basic scoreboard keeping track of the linescore. Overall, it’s a pretty no-frills gameday vibe.

Neighborhood 3

Westminster, being a far suburb of Baltimore, is in a pretty traditional suburban setting. Baugher’s Restaurant and Farm Market is located near campus and is one of the best family-type restaurants around, and offers no better place to buy fresh produce.

Downtown Westminster is also not far away. Here you can find some good choices, such as O’Lordan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant and Maggie’s.

Fans 2

This is a typical Division III facility for the Northeast, where friends and families make up the bulk of the attendees, with a few students scattered in.

Access 2

Route 140 is the main route from the Baltimore area towards Westminster, and it stems from the end of Baltimore’s I-795. Access to Baltimore, Washington D.C., and central Pennsylvania is fairly easy.

There should be plenty of parking near the stadium or other fields.

Return on Investment 5

Attending a Green Terror game is free. It is incredible that for absolutely nothing, you can attend a game with such a decent atmosphere.

Extras 3

Look for the water tower with the McDaniel logo looming over the field.

The Western Maryland Railroad caboose is located next to the playing field. The iconic piece of memorabilia just looks cool and can be a great meeting place for friends.

The baseball field is also right next to the field that the Baltimore Ravens used for many years as their training camp for preseason operations.