Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University, Tri-State Coal Cats Conclude Two-Season Partnership At Jack Cook Field
11/19/2025 10:02:00 AM | General
Appalachian League team spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons in Huntington
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Tri-State Coal Cats will not return for the 2026 season, Marshall University announced on Wednesday morning.
The Coal Cats came into existence in a partnership with the Appalachian League and Major League Baseball prior to the 2024 season, spending two seasons calling Jack Cook Field their home.
"We want to thank the Tri-State Coal Cats and the Appalachian League for the two seasons in which they made Jack Cook Field and Huntington their summertime home," said Toney Stroud, Chief Legal Officer and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Corporate Relations of Marshall University. "Our partnership with the Appalachian League was unique in that no other team in the league shared a facility with a college program, which presented a distinct set of challenges.
"In looking at our future, we are committed to utilizing Jack Cook Field for events that maximize investment and profitability for the Huntington community while also enhancing our baseball program at Marshall University."
Gerald J. Harrison, Marshall's Vice President and Director of Athletics, said the process of securing such events has already begun with partnerships such as the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission (WVSSAC), which will host the WV High School State Baseball Tournament at Jack Cook Field starting in 2026.
Other events and opportunities at the state-of-the-art venue will be announced in the future.
"As we look ahead, our priority is to activate Jack Cook Field with events that deliver real economic impact for Huntington—tournaments that draw teams from across the region, concerts and festivals that showcase this city, and experiences that make this ballpark a true hub of activity," Harrison said. "Alongside that vision, we are fully committed to elevating Marshall baseball and giving our student-athletes a first-class environment to chase championships in the challenging Sun Belt Conference."
From its inception, Major League Baseball owned the team with Marshall University serving as the team's host. Marshall University acquired the services of Kindred Communications to serve in management and operations for the team.
Marshall University wants to thank Kindred Communications and Major League Baseball for their commitment to providing the best experience possible for fans who attended games over the past two seasons.
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