LANSING and BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame and the Northwoods League’s Battle Creek Battle Jacks have signed a formal partnership agreement recognizing the Battle Jacks and MCCU Field at C.O. Brown Stadium in Bailey Park as approved partners of the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame was established in 2015 at Jackson® Field™, home of the Lansing Lugnuts, with the mission of honoring the state’s baseball heroes of yesterday, celebrating the national pastime today, and inspiring the baseball fans of tomorrow.

As the Home of Southwest Michigan Baseball, the Battle Creek Battle Jacks will collaborate with the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame to preserve, celebrate and amplify Battle Creek’s significant role in the history of baseball across amateur, semipro, and professional eras.

“Battle Creek has played a meaningful role in the history of baseball, not just in Southwest Michigan but nationally,” said Battle Creek Battle Jacks owner Scott Miles. “From Negro League barnstorming stops and Jackie Robinson’s 1950 visit, to Harry Caray’s first baseball play-by-play broadcast and Derek Jeter signing his first Yankees contract here, this city has been a place where professional and premier amateur baseball have meaningfully intersected for generations. That story deserves to be celebrated and preserved.

“We are proud to partner with the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame to honor that legacy and bring it to life for a new generation of fans.”

“The Lansing Lugnuts are incredibly proud of the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame and what it represents in our state,” said Lugnuts general manager Zac Clark. “We believe the history of our game in our state is something that should be shared far and wide, so this partnership with the Battle Creek Battle Jacks is incredibly exciting.

“We know that the Battle Jacks will be amazing partners and stewards of this incredible piece of baseball history in our state and we look forward to seeing this come to life in Battle Creek.”

Battle Creek’s historic baseball legacy includes a longstanding reputation as a premier amateur baseball destination, hosting major regional tournaments and state tournaments, and serving as a gathering place for top-level competition throughout the 20th century.

Battle Creek has hosted:
– the Battle Creek Belles, part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
– Negro League barnstorming, bringing some of the greatest players in baseball history to Southwest Michigan during segregation-era baseball.
– Harry Caray’s first baseball play-by-play broadcasts during a semipro tournament, in which he first used his trademark call, “Holy cow!”
– Derek Jeter signing his first professional contract with the New York Yankees, held at C.O. Brown Stadium.
– decades of affiliated Minor League Baseball
– a continuous thread of amateur, collegiate and professional baseball that has positioned Battle Creek as a central hub in the geography of Southwest Michigan baseball.

The partnership between the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame and the Battle Creek Battle Jacks will extend through stadium exhibits, heritage nights, a historical content series, and in-stadium storytelling initiatives throughout the 2026 season and beyond.

For further information on the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame, please visit michiganbaseballhall.org.

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About the Battle Jacks & the Northwoods League

The Battle Creek Battle Jacks are a proud member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its 33rd season, the 26-team Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history, drawing significantly more fans in a more friendly ballpark experience than any league of its kind.

A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 410 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson; three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TOR); two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford; World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL); 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (BAL); and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (NYM).