YORK, Pa. — Penn State York and the York Revolution are teaming up this season.
The college baseball team said it will play its home games at WellSpan Park, the home of the Revolution, for the next three years.
The teams will officially announce their partnership at a ceremony in the ballpark's 1741 Club on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.
“Penn State York is excited to provide our baseball team this amazing opportunity to play their home games in WellSpan Park, a professional facility in our city," said David Christiansen, chancellor of Penn State York. "It is a dream come true and members of the local community can join with the campus community to watch our team play.
“Special thanks to the York County Community Foundation’s Bob Hoffman Sports and Fitness Fund for making this possible and to the York Revolution for being our partner in this adventure.”
Thanks to a $45,000 grant from the York County Community Foundation’s Bob Hoffman Sports and Fitness Fund, the Penn State York baseball team will play its home games at WellSpan Park for the next three years, 2024-26.
The team will practice at Shyrock Park in York Township and York City Park near the campus.
“We are thrilled to make WellSpan Park the home of Penn State York’s baseball program,” said York Revolution President Eric Menzer. “This type of relationship touches all the bases for us – baseball, young people, and our hometown campus of a great university. This is the essence of what we try to do for our community, well beyond professional baseball.”
Representatives from Penn State York have worked with Menzer to establish the partnership that will allow the York baseball team to play at the ballpark.
“We are so excited for this opportunity and for all who have made it possible! So many pieces had to come together to make this work and, on behalf of our student-athletes, our staff, and campus community we are extremely grateful for everyone who came together to make this happen!” said Jeff Barkdoll, director of athletics at Penn State York. “Playing at WellSpan Park will mean so much to our baseball and athletic program and will provide the opportunity for our students to play in such a great facility. It will connect our program, our campus community, our students and their families, and our fans to downtown York.”
Penn State York has worked with the York Revolution over the years to have the York baseball team play a doubleheader in the ballpark each season for a decade, but this agreement makes WellSpan Park York’s home field. The campus also held commencement in the ballpark during the pandemic; the first time a commencement was held in that facility.
Penn State York will be the first team to play on the Kentucky Bluegrass playing surface that is completely new for 2024. Located in historic downtown York, the ballpark is a state-of-the art facility built to AAA baseball standards.
For Todd Meckley, head baseball coach at Penn State York, becoming partners with the York Revolution to play all of York’s home games at the ballpark means everything.
“WellSpan Park provides our student-athletes with an experience that is truly second to none. It provides our players with an opportunity to play in a state-of-the-art stadium, while extending an outstanding experience for our fans and spectators as well,” said Meckley. He also notes that the move to WellSpan Park will assist the campus in recruiting prospective student-athletes looking to attend Penn State York. He is most appreciative as are the players and other coaches.
“I would like to thank everyone at Penn State York and the York Revolution who were a part of making this dream become a reality for our student-athletes,” said Meckley.
Penn State York plays its first game in WellSpan Park on Friday, March 22 against Penn State Scranton. The doubleheader begins at 2 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
