Oestrike Stadium, named after EMU Hall of Fame Coach Ron Oestrike, was built in 1971, the year following Eastern Michigan’s NAIA Collegiate National Championship and four years before its back-to-back NCAA Worlds Series appearances.

Oestrike Stadium is one of the finest collegiate baseball facilities not only in the area, but in the country and continues to improve the quality of the athletes’ collegiate baseball experience.

Improvements have been ongoing since 1988, starting with the addition of the press box behind home plate. The following year, an inning-by-inning scoreboard with a message center was installed behind the left-field fence. In 1990, four permanent batting cages were added along Hewitt Road behind the left-field fence.

The 1992 season marked the beginning of the field improvements, starting with a new outfield fence and practice infield. In 1995, an outfield drainage system and sprinkling system were installed.

The playing surface was the focus in 1988 when a new infield surface, pitching mound and bullpen mounds were completed. In the summer of 2001, the dugouts were expanded and drinking fountains were installed.

The aesthetics of Oestrike Stadium have been addressed, beginning in 2000 with the addition of lights. The commemorative bricks that line the grandstand section continue to be installed and last fall, the infield drainage system was replaced, as was the infield surface.

In 2007, the entire infield was ripped out and replaced with Pro Grass. The EMU Baseball team would like to thank all the individuals for their generous donations that made this project a reality.

Future plans include the addition of a permanent concessions stand and the continued extension of the dugouts.