International Women’s Baseball Center Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony

The International Women’s Baseball Center hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on October 6 to officially commence the restoration of historic Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park.

The milestone event introduced IWBC’s Phase One construction schedule as IWBC continues to progress toward completing its six-acre global campus in south Rockford, Illinois.

Alongside many project partners, the business community and Rockford area residents and visitors, IWBC co-founder and women’s baseball icon Maybelle Blair — the restored Stadium’s namesake — returned to where she played professional women’s baseball in the late 1940s to help with the festivities.

Blair was joined in officially breaking ground by fellow IWBC members Donna Cohen (IWBC founding director emeritus), Dr. Leslie Heaphy (IWBC Board president) and Dr. Kat Williams (IWBC CEO and founder).

“Today is the beginning of a new era. The IWBC, along with its partners and supporters, put shovels in the ground on a three-phased, $30 million project,” said Williams. “But this ceremony does not simply mark the beginning of construction — it highlights the hopes and dreams of girls and women around the world.”

A former pitcher, Blair played in 1948 for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that was made famous by the movie “A League of Their Own” and later played in the National Women’s Softball League. The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation and IWBC recently honored Blair’s legacy by naming the restored venue Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park.

“For most of my life, I dreamed about girls having more opportunities in baseball and about someday building a home where our history is preserved as a place where girls and women can come to learn and play the game,” Blair said. “Today that dream comes true. We are finally putting a shovel in the ground at the first-ever home of women’s baseball.”

Construction began in late September with the removal of old fencing, turf, other materials and field grading. Additional work scheduled for completion in 2025 includes underground storm and irrigation, underground electrical, a new retaining wall, sodding, Musco lighting foundations and poles, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation Press Box foundation and exteriors, and other electrical finishes. Spring 2026 upgrades are scheduled to include site paving and sidewalks, the Cohen Bleachers, ticket booth entrance updates and landscaping.

Scheduled for completion next summer, the restored Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park will feature a professional–grade natural grass playing surface to accommodate all levels. The green space north of the Stadium will feature the Women’s Baseball Gallery, an outdoor exhibit consisting of commemorative pylons honoring women’s baseball’s most significant achievements.

Phase Two of construction is projected to cost $22.8 million and includes a state-of-the-art activity center and immersive museum overlooking Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park. Phase Three covers the artifacts and exhibits built inside the museum hall, highlighted by a restored Rockford Peaches World War II era team bus.

The World Baseball Softball Confederation Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026 will be held at the International Women’s Baseball Center in Rockford. The area will also host the 11th annual Baseball For All Nationals from July 19–25, 2026