Don and Sue Schaly Field at Pioneer Park

Following the completion of a transformative renovation in 2019, the home of Marietta College Baseball was renamed Don and Sue Schaly Stadium at Pioneer Park.

Originally constructed in 1968 as a natural grass field, the current FieldTurf playing surface is built to major-league dimensions of 330 feet down the lines, 370 feet in the alleys and 400 feet to centerfield.

The multi-million dollar renovation completed in the fall of 2019 was made possible by a lead gift from The Spartan Foundation and Hap and Meg Esbenshade. Other prominent gifts for the project were received from James E. Tracy ’78, Suzanne Knicely Schaly ’62, Tom Carbonar ’60, James Fryfogle ’73 and his wife Wendy Keck Fryfogle ’75, Dave Conley ’93 and Joseph Freddoso ’83.

After approximately 15,000 cubic yards of dirt were brought in to raise the playing surface as much as three feet to minimize the risk of flooding, the FieldTurf DoublePlay System was installed.

In addition to the FieldTurf playing surface, and 8-foot dark green ChampionWall was installed giving the facility a major league appearance. Larger, step-down dugouts were constructed and a pole-less backstop with net and padding was installed. The bullpens were moved further down the lines to create additional spectator space beyond the dugout.

On May 6, 2006, Pioneer Park was officially changed to Don Schaly Stadium in an Alumni Day ceremony that paid tribute to the MC Baseball Fraternity’s late, legendary leader. Decorative wind screens were added throughout the park in 2009 and the second floor of the Kent Tekulve Media Building was remodeled into a recruiting room in 2010.

The Etta Express has enjoyed a great deal of success in Don and Sue Schaly Stadium at Pioneer Park. The Pioneers have an enviable record in regular season play there since its construction in 1968. The facility has also seen numerous postseason games, including serving as the host site for the NCAA Division III World Series from 1976-1987. The Pioneers are 126-44 in postseason games at Don and Sue Schaly Stadium and Marietta’s overall record in the park is an astounding 902-159 (.850 winning percentage).

The facility also includes two batting cages with artificial turf and a natural grass practice infield, both adjacent to the fully enclosed stadium. Bleachers run from dugout to dugout, complementing the three-story Kent Tekulve Media Building. A large electronic scoreboard oversees the park from left-center field keeping the fans up to date on the Pioneers’ success.

Phase one of the Pioneer Park Project was the addition of the three-story combination press facility, umpire’s locker room, meeting area and concession stand named in honor of former Pioneer Kent Tekulve ‘69. The project cost $175,000 and began in July of 1988 with the demolition of the old center section of bleachers. The money was raised through the tremendous effort of private donations, generous alumni support, and countless volunteers from the Marietta community.

The labor, equipment and construction of the project fell under the umbrella of the Washington County Home Builders Association. Prominent individuals who contributed numerous hours of energy and time to the project include Ken Strahler, Bob Johnson (former Marietta College Trustee), and Paul Erb (former Pioneer Park Supervisor).

The facility has three covered floors. The roof provides a perfect place for cameras and television equipment. The first floor is a fully equipped concession stand. The second floor includes a small locker room for the umpires, with a shower and bathroom and a lounge area for the working press and games committees. The third floor is a double-level press box which can accommodate 26 people.

Phase Two of the Pioneer Park Project was to add lights. Installation of a state-of-the-art lighting system was completed during the fall of 1994. A major donation by former Pioneer Terry Mulholland ‘85 made the project possible. The City of Marietta named the road leading into and through the park Mulholland Drive in recognition of Mulholland’s generosity.