Take Me Out To The Ball Game! Our Favorite Local Ball Parks!
Nothing says summer like a baseball game! From small scale T-ball diamonds to the minor leagues, we've got you covered with our favorite local ballparks.
Sehmel Homestead Park
10123 78th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor
According to Chris Burk, there’s one ballpark that stands out above the rest: Sehmel Homestead Park.
“For baseball in Gig Harbor it is not even a question,” Chris says. “They have three turf baseball fields with public bathrooms and a concession stand.”
The park features two 300-foot combination baseball and softball fields (great for 13 and under crowds) plus a full size high school regulation field and an artificial turf soccer/lacrosse/football field just in case baseball doesn’t happen to be your game of choice.
They even thought of a little entertainment for those not ready to pick up a bat and ball just yet. The younger set can have their fun in the full jungle gym play area!
And if you’re up for a day at the park that doesn’t include a ballgame, you’ll also find 76 acres of meadow, naturalistic pond, wetlands and conservancy area, plus tennis and basketball courts, picnic areas, gardens and 4 miles of trails.
All of the Sehmel Homestead Park fields are available for rent through the PenMet Parks website.
Heritage Park
9010 128th St. E, Puyallup
Trish Stone offers up a strong vote for Heritage Park in Puyallup!
“They have four fields, all with a STUNNING view of Mt. Rainier,” says Trish. “The park is well-maintained with an excellent play area in the middle for little kiddos and a concession stand for snacks and refreshments!”
The Heritage Recreation Center’s lighted baseball field, four lighted softball fields, and six soccer fields (one with lights), plus restrooms and a children’s play area are all viewable on a convenient map. A bonus: plenty of parking between Zeigler Elementary and Rogers High School.
For visits outside of ballgames and practice days, Trish recommends the park’s Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail for walking, running, and biking. Follow the 1.6-mile trail, and you’ll find yourself in South Hill Community Park that has its own fields used for youth soccer, baseball and softball programs!
Bill Heath Sports Complex
(formerly the Daffodil Valley Sports Complex)
5604 Graham Ave., Sumner
Nestled in downtown Sumner behind Daffodil Valley Elementary, the Bill Heath Sports Complex is another of Trish Stone’s favorites.
“It has numerous fields, a large play area, basketball courts, and a trail all connected to picturesque neighborhoods,” shares Trish. “It also has great views of Mt. Rainier.”
This is truly a community space, built by Sumner Rotary and more than 1800 contributors. Ballplayers will gravitate toward the baseball field and two youth baseball fields, and there are soccer fields plus volleyball, basketball and tennis courts. A concession stand and restrooms are a definite plus, and there are picnic tables, benches and a children’s play area for when it’s time for a break from the game.
Cheney Stadium
2502 South Tyler St., Tacoma
No conversation about Pierce County ballparks would be complete without mentioning Cheney Stadium! This home of the Tacoma Rainiers is a top pick for Steve Sloboda.
“Cheney Stadium is a wonderful ballpark. I grew up going there as a kid,” Steve says. “Before becoming a Real Estate Broker, I was Director of Marketing for the Rainiers during the 2001 and 2002 seasons.” If you’re looking for great stories about the old Cheney Stadium before the 2010 renovation, Steve’s your guy!
While not everyone gets an opportunity to run the bases on the big diamond, anyone can have an at bat on the stadium’s wiffle ball field. And you don’t even have to be there at game time! A partnership with the Ben. B. Cheney Foundation and Metro Parks Tacoma, you can find this gem at the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Family Pavilion. Learn more about how the field came about and how kids and kids-at-heart enjoy this hot spot here.
Ready to catch a game? You can find the Rainiers schedule on their website.
Bellarmine Memorial Field
2300 S. Washington St., Tacoma
“Bellarmine's baseball field is on a bluff above Hwy 16 and features a fantastic Mt. Rainier view,” says Steve Sloboda.
The field has a rich history and has undergone a lot of recent updates as part of a multi-phase renovation project, including a switch from natural grass to a synthetic turf, widening of the field and new visitors bleachers. You can check out videos of the groundbreaking here.
Fort Steilacoom Park
8714 87th Ave. SW, Lakewood
“The ball fields at Fort Steilacoom Park are buzzing with games all summer,” says Steve Sloboda. “They're named after Charles ‘Cap’ Peterson who graduated from Clover Park High School and went on to play 8 seasons in the Major Leagues.”
Four of the five baseball fields have base distances ranging from 60-90 feet and offer pitching mounds. A fifth, smaller field is great for T-ball and pitching practice.