Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Stadium
Exploring Alabama State’s sports complex
“It’s a top-of-the-line stadium in the SWAC,” said Jon Roblez, volunteer coach and former pitcher for ASU.
Alabama State University’s baseball stadium holds 500 and sits next to the colossal ASU water tower. The stadium was built in 2011 after Larry Watkins fronted the overhaul of the baseball program at ASU. This field is arguably the nicest complex in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
A small announcer box sits behind aluminum stadium seats directly behind home plate. The ASU logo is bright and large as it is proudly displayed around the field. The contrasting black and gold of the ASU’s hornet logo details the field beautifully.
The dugouts are large areas covered in the red dust of the field. Around them, red dirt is spread between bases and Bermuda grass thickly reaches across from outpost to windscreen.
“Larry Watkins revamped the program a few years back and helped get the funding for the field. Its named after him, Wheeler-Watkins Stadium,” said Travis Jarome, a communications contact for ASU baseball.
Former pitcher and current volunteer coach Jon Roblez comments that the stadium recently added a new windscreen and logos around the field. He also added that the stadium “Gives [them] more energy, gets us excited to play at our home field. Everybody is excited to play at the ASU baseball stadium. I think the fans enjoy being here rather than any other complex, too.”
Location
The stadium sits on the back side of the campus, near the softball fields. It has a small parking lot near it for easy access. Additionally, it has a fully-stocked concessions stand behind the stands.
The stadium is near the The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum. My classmates Mike Breen and Kywanna Johnson both wrote articles about the Museum.
When asked about additions the team wants to make in the future, Roblez said, “ I’m sure they’d like to add more seating, a bigger grand stand, and maybe a locker room closer to field.”
More about this article:
This article was written as a creative project assignment for a journalism course, Media Writing II, at Auburn University at Montgomery in Spring 2018. The course was taught by Eman Shurbaji in collaboration with Exploring Montgomery’s founder, Cyle Conoly.
The project’s articles showcase many diverse buildings and their history in Montgomery.
- A bit of worship history at Old Ship African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church by Jayla Coleman
- The State Farmers Market by Cierra Juett explores a popular — and largely healthy — shopping destination
- Community love for the performing arts is seen at Cloverdale Playhouse by Brittany Vallely
- In depth coverage of the beloved Alabama Shakespeare Festival by Kodi Robertson and a short article by Brittany Nobles
- Photos capture great heights at AUM in Ida Belle Young Library Tower by Kaleria Jackson
- More coverage (with Curtiss the Warhawk!) of the Ida Belle Young Library Tower by Selina Johnson
- Tourist attraction F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum is examined in light of the home by Kywanna Johnson and the writing ventures by Mike Breen
- Free and growing Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is covered in light of its official website by Nyla Hooks
- Iconic Civil Rights moments are revisited at the Rosa Parks Museum by Brandon Barker
- A closer look at downtown entertainment landmark Davis Theatre by Alexandrea Moore
- Independent films and a deep roots are explored at Capri Theatre by Destin Davis
- State-of-the-art sports venue Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Stadium is visited by Dana Horton
