Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium - Navy Midshipmen

Photos courtesy of Richard Smith, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43

Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium King George St Annapolis, MD 21402

Navy Midshipmen website

Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium website

Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 1,500

Anchors Aweigh

All students at the Naval Academy receive a full college scholarship that is paid back with service in the Navy or Marines. These scholar-athletes are true amateur athletes and deserve the utmost respect. At Navy, the baseball players also get the opportunity to play at a very fine facility that is on par with many levels of professional baseball.

Professional baseball did play here briefly in 1994. The Bowie Baysox played the 1993 season at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore while their home, Prince George’s Stadium, was being built. But weather delays caused the need to play a few home games in alternate locations at the start of the 1994 season. Max Bishop Stadium, as well as Shipley Field at the University of Maryland, served this temporary need as well.

The stadium has been around since 1962, although Navy baseball has been played on the same spot with other fields for years before then, and is named after longtime coach Max Bishop. Bishop served as coach from 1937 to 1961 and earned over 300 wins coaching the Midshipmen. Bishop was also a former Major League player, nicknamed “Eagle Eye,” who, while with the Philadelphia Athletics, helped his team to three World Series, winning two of them in 1929 and 1930.

After renovations in 2005, the brand new state-of-the-art field was named after brothers Ron, Bruce, and George Terwilliger, all of whom were players for Navy in the mid-1960s. Two of the brothers contributed to a significant upgrading of the facility during the renovation process.

Navy competes in the Patriot League.

Food & Beverage 2

There is a simple concession stand located directly behind home plate. It is actually in the stands, so you can keep a good view of the game action while buying food. Nothing exciting, but it is convenient and cheap.

Atmosphere 4

Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium is a fantastic college baseball stadium. It was one of the first to add FieldTurf around the entire field (except for the pitcher’s mound and home plate area) when it was renovated in 2005.

That renovation gutted the seating area of the stadium, as well. The old metal and wooden bleachers were replaced by chairs with seat backs and concrete concourses. Seating is now comfortable with excellent views. There is even a picnic table seating section on each side of the field, above the normal seats.

The best views of the actions are not from the seats. Above the third base dugout is a standing room only area offering excellent views, although you may want to watch for foul balls that quickly enter this area. A similar standing room only area is located a bit further down the third baseline, atop a storage room.

There are excellent views of the Naval Academy buildings, as well as College Creek, that make the park very scenic.

Neighborhood 4

Annapolis is a fantastic and beautiful city. There are many options for food, and the activities in the area are varied. It is an area without limitations.

What is limited is anything to do in the direct neighborhood of Bishop Stadium. It is located at the far end of the Naval Academy campus near where King George Street ends at Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard / Route 450. It is located outside of the security gates of the academy, so access will not be an issue.

But being isolated from the main part of campus also means it is isolated from the central part of Annapolis. If one wants to visit downtown after a game, it could be a good idea to find a street parking space on King George Street near the St. John’s College campus, so that you are located halfway between the two places.

There are many other historic sites to see around Annapolis. One of the first sites that should be seen is the Maryland State House. Located at State Circle, it is the oldest capital in continuous legislative use since 1772. From November 26, 1783, to August 13, 1784, this building also served as the capital of the United States. Be sure to check out the replica of the ship Federalist located in the rotunda.

Food options are abundant in Annapolis. Be sure to try Buddy’s Crabs & Ribs for crabs, or at least a crab cake. It will be messy, but very rewarding. And you must try it with a beer, preferably a Natty Boh.

If afraid of the crustacean, you can always fight for a table at Chick & Ruth’s Delly, where the local politicians have eaten for years. This quirky restaurant even recites the Pledge of Allegiance every morning at 8:30 (9:30 am on weekends). It is standard diner-type fare, but the creamed beef is a fine choice. Crabs and crab-type items are also found here.

If you need something a bit more upscale, check out the Red Red Wine Bar at 189B Main Street. They have numerous wine choices, even wine flights. Try something accompanied by the Brie Toast.

Fans 3

As with most northeast college baseball stadiums, the bulk of the fans tend to be family or friends of both teams. There did seem to be some local fans who just happened to stop by for the game. The fans are knowledgeable, but not necessarily loud.

Access 3

The stadium’s location at the entrance to Annapolis, right over the US Naval Academy Bridge on Route 450, means that Bishop Stadium is easy to access. You do not have to enter far into the traffic madness that is Annapolis.

It is not clearly marked, but there are many parking spaces available for weekend games. Wainwright Road is a small access road that wraps around Halligan Hall near the stadium. There are numerous spaces around this road, but they may not be available for weekday games, as Halligan Hall is an active facility for academy public works and other offices.

Return on Investment 5

The games at Bishop Stadium are free to attend, and parking is free, as well. The seats are close to the action, and the view from the field is nice, so a fan is well-rewarded for attending a game here.

Extras 3

Attending a game at the Naval Academy, even in a smaller college sport like baseball, makes one feel good because you are supporting the troops in some small way.

The facility usually offers free posters and other items for kids and adults alike. They tend to be located at one of the official entrances to the grandstand, not from the open ends of the stands, so do not miss these. Game day contests may also be located here.

Final Thoughts

Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium is a field that is as good as many a minor league baseball stadium. And it is far better than many of the college baseball facilities seen in the northeast. If in the area, you should check the baseball schedules and try to see a game.