Larks Park
Constructed: 1940
Seating capacity: 1,200
Infield: Poligras (installed in 2003)
Outfield: Bluegrass
Check Out the Newly Renovated Tiger Locker Room
Larks Park is home to the Fort Hays State University baseball team. The park is owned by the city of Hays but operated by the FHSU Athletic Department. The athletic department has a ten-year lease on the property.
Larks Park was built in 1940 as part of a Work Projects Administration project. It is a historic venue as the oldest park within the state of Kansas. Continued renovations over past years have maintained the facility as one of the nicest in the state.
Larks Park is located at fourth and main. The park features a limestone frame with locker rooms, restrooms, concession facilities, and seating for 1,200 Tiger fans. A record 1,868 fans turned out on April 8, 2005, to watch the Tigers take on Mesa State.
New lights were installed in March of 2000 which allows the Tigers to play night games. The old artificial turf infield playing surface was replaced in the summer of 2003. The new artificial surface, called Poligras, is the same surface that was installed at Lewis Field Stadium, home of the Tiger football team. The artificial infield is necessary due to the numerous games that are played in the park each year. Bluegrass sod was laid in the outfield and foul territory. The outfield has been leveled and reseeded.
Park dimensions are 322 feet down the left field line, 319 feet down the right field line, 349 feet to the power alleys and 405 feet to center field.
In 2008, Larks Park received several major renovations. The old chainlink outfield fence was replaced with a new eight-foot wooden fence, and the foul poles were also replaced. Billboards of Tiger supporters line the new outfield fence. Along foul territory is now a four-foot wooden fence. The bullpens received a facelift as they are now enclosed with the same fencing that surrounds the field. A new scoreboard with LED lighting was placed above the right field fence.
Most recently in the spring of 2010, the Tiger locker room, bathrooms, and training facility underneath the grandstand were remodeled. Plans are in place for additional renovations to the park in the near future.