ode to the old yard

Smith-Wills Stadium, site of the MHSAA state championships which begin today, could use a little spit and polish. It lacks the modern trappings you find at Trustmark Park in Pearl. But Smith-Wills is still a great venue for baseball. Built in 1975 as the home of the new Jackson Mets Double-A baseball team, it’s kind of like a time machine. Many major league stars, past and present, have played between those white lines. Lots of college and high school standouts graced the green there, as well. It is a Jackson icon, like the zoo, the planetarium, Mississippi Coliseum or The Stack. The ballpark itself, which sits at the west end of Lakeland Drive near Interstate 55, has changed only a little over the years. The outfield signage is different from what it was 36 years ago, of course. The Marlboro Man who once rose above the outfield was taken down long ago. The scoreboard was moved from right-center to left a few years back, though the 1980s-era message board remains in its original spot — and still works. The field was converted to a synthetic surface in 2004, and batting cages and a picnic area have been installed. But the stadium backdrop, the signature feature of Smith-Wills, looks virtually the same as it did in 1975. Huge pine trees, giant oaks and other types of foliage loom behind the outfield fences. That’s what captures the eye. Though the aging stadium itself could use a splash of paint here and there, the view is still fantastic, particularly on a warm spring night just before sunset. There is so much history there. Darryl Strawberry, Billy Beane and Lenny Dykstra played there for the Jackson Mets. Billy Wagner, Bobby Abreu and Lance Berkman took the field there as Jackson Generals. Davey Johnson, Sam Perlozzo and Clint Hurdle managed there. The New York Mets and Houston Astros played exhibition games at Smith-Wills, as did two U.S. Olympic teams, one that included Mark McGwire. For years, the Mayor’s Trophy game between Ole Miss and Mississippi State was a Smith-Wills staple that drew overflow crowds. Six teams won professional league championships at Smith-Wills. The pennants now hang in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum across the parking lot. After the independent Jackson Senators ceased operations in 2005, there was talk of tearing down Smith-Wills Stadium. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, and Belhaven University took it over as its home field shortly thereafter. Games will be played again at old Smith-Wills this week. Leather will be popping, fans will be yapping and familiar ballpark tunes will be blaring over the public address system. On special days like these, Smith-Wills and all its history springs to life again.