ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Bicentennial Park is set to get a major facelift before Muhlenberg College’s baseball team moves in next spring.
Allentown City Council last week approved a 10-year lease, which calls for the school to pay $15,000 in rent each year.
The lease, which can be renewed for up to 20 more years, also requires Muhlenberg to pay up to $4 million over the next five years to improve the facility.
The stadium at Bicentennial Park was last held games more than five years ago and “is currently not usable whatsoever,” Allentown Parks and Recreation Director Mandy Tolino said.
School officials on Monday provided new details about their plans to upgrade Bicentennial Park so the Mules baseball team can play its Spring 2025 season there.
“Bicentennial Park is an important part of Allentown’s recreation infrastructure and anchors an awesome neighborhood."Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk
Crews are set to demolish some bleachers to make room for new bullpens and batting cages while expanding the outfield fence to meet collegiate standards.
The entire playing surface, which lacks grass on the infield, will be reconditioned as part of the first phase of work, according to school officials.
Second phase of updates
The second phase is to include renovations to locker rooms and offices, restrooms, dugouts and concessions and ticket booths.
“Bicentennial Field is such a great spot, and we’re excited about rejuvenating it,” Muhlenberg College President Kathleen Harring said in a news release.
“It’s going to add not only to our student-athletes’ experience, but also to the neighborhood.”
“Bicentennial Park is an important part of Allentown’s recreation infrastructure and anchors an awesome neighborhood."Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk
Mayor Matt Tuerk said he is excited Bicentennial Park is set to benefit from Muhlenberg’s “investment there and the energy that their athletic program will bring to the city.”
“Bicentennial Park is an important part of Allentown’s recreation infrastructure and anchors an awesome neighborhood,” Tuerk said.
Under the terms of its lease with the city, Muhlenberg must open the stadium at least 20 days each year for events such as tournaments, clinics and youth camps.
The school plans to hold monthly community baseball clinics, service projects and service opportunities, officials said.
A storied history
Tod Gross, head coach of the Mules baseball team for more than a decade, said his players — and alumni — will be “excited to call Bicentennial Park home.”
“I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard on this project over the last few months,” Gross said in the release.
“The project will not only benefit our baseball program, but it will benefit Muhlenberg College and the city of Allentown.”
“I look forward to seeing the Mules play at Bicentennial Park for years to come and can’t wait to see where the program goes from here.”First-baseman Brendan Hughes
First-baseman Brendan Hughes, who earned All-Centennial Conference honors last season, is set to play his final season at Bicentennial Park next spring.
“I think this is a huge step for the program, and I’m really excited for the opportunity to play at a brand new stadium my senior year,” Hughes said.
“I look forward to seeing the Mules play at Bicentennial Park for years to come and can’t wait to see where the program goes from here.”
The park was built in the 1930s as Fairview Field and underwent major renovations in 1976, prompting officials to rename it Bicentennial Park.
It was rededicated in the ‘80s to honor Earl F. Hunsicker, and from 1997 to 2003 was home to the Allentown Ambassadors, an independent baseball team that competed in the Northeast League and the Northern League.
It became the ECTB Stadium at Earl F. Hunsicker Bicentennial Park in 2005.
