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Friends of American Legion Field ask Owensboro to donate land and match $1.5M for 1,000‑seat stadium
Summary
Representatives of the James L. Yates American Legion Post and Friends of American Legion Field asked the commission to consider donating 6–8 acres and matching $1.5 million toward a proposed $3 million, 1,000‑seat stadium to ensure long‑term viability of the Owensboro Bombers program.
At the City Commission’s open public forum, Matt Freeman, representing the Friends of American Legion Field and James L. Yates American Legion Post, asked the city to partner on a new baseball facility to support the long‑running Owensboro Bombers youth program.
Freeman described the Bombers as a veteran‑sponsored youth baseball program in place for about 90 years and said the post wants a permanent home. "We are proposing that the city partner with the James L Yates American Legion Post and the Friends of American Legion Field to build a thousand seat stadium," Freeman said. He requested the city donate 6 to 8 acres of city‑owned land and asked the city to match local fundraising to reach an estimated $3,000,000 project cost. "We believe that we can raise approximately 1 and a half million dollars," Freeman said.
Freeman suggested Ben Hawes Park as a potential site, noting available acreage and the park master plan. He said the facility would include seating for roughly 1,000, a press box, dugouts, backstop, hitting facilities and that the stadium could host concerts and community events outside baseball season.
The remarks were delivered during open public forum; commissioners did not take immediate action during the meeting. The presenters were invited to follow up by email and through the city’s normal channels for land and capital project proposals.
