Marshall University Athletics
Marshall’s Jack Cook Field To Host W.Va. State Baseball Championships
9/22/2025 5:00:00 PM | General
Starting in 2026, state’s top 32 teams will annually compete for titles in Huntington
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Athletics is proud to announce that it will serve as the future host for the West Virginia State High School Baseball Championships, starting in 2026.
The joint venture with the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commissions and the Huntington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau annually brings the state's top teams annually to Marshall's Jack Cook Field through 2028 with an option for 2029.
"We are excited for the opportunity to host the state's premier high school baseball event and to welcome everyone to Huntington and Marshall University," said Gerald J. Harrison, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Marshall. "Our university and athletics department share a vision of showcasing our campus and community to the people of West Virginia. Whenever we have the opportunity to do so, we are eager to put our best foot forward and create a memorable experience. Partnering with the Huntington Area CVB and the WVSSAC allows us to deliver impactful memories for fans and teams alike. We couldn't be more excited to serve as hosts for this event."
Monday's announcement brings to fruition the vision shared by Marshall University representatives when Jack Cook Field was built prior to the 2024 baseball season – one that would not only benefit Marshall Baseball, but the entire state, as well, by building one of the state's top venues with a 3,500-seat capacity and an all-turf surface.
"We have a premier facility that we just opened and there's not a lot of places in the region, let alone the state, that have something that can compete with what we have to offer here from a facilities standpoint," said Andrew Brown, Marshall Athletics' Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Capital Projects and Championship Facilities. "The opportunity to get families, students and student-athletes here to show them what Marshall has to offer, we jumped at it and did everything we could to win the bid."
Huntington won the bid after an extensive selection process from the WVSSAC that included several suitors. According to the WVSSAC's release, the selection was finalized through a vote of its Board of Directors at a recent meeting.
"The City of Huntington and Marshall University presented a strong proposal, and we're excited to partner with them to provide a high-quality championship experience for student-athletes, coaches and fans at a premier facility," said Wayne Ryan, Executive Director for the WVSSAC.
The addition of the West Virginia State High School Baseball Championships brings another major sporting event to the annual calendar for Marshall's campus and the greater Huntington area, which has a resounding economic impact on the entire Tri-State area.
Under its new format, the West Virginia State High School Baseball Championships will bring 32 teams to the area annually for the quest of being called state champions.
The 2026 West Virginia State High School Baseball Tournament will take place June 6-13 at Jack Cook Field.
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