Jack Williams Stadium (Fargo, North Dakota)

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Barnett Field, former home of the Fargo-Moorhead Twins of the Northern League, was used by Post 2 baseball teams and by the Fargo Park League until 1963 when it was razed to provide room for Fargo North High School. As a result, Fargo's American Legion team moved to an afternoon and twilight schedule, playing its games on the North Dakota State University diamond where there was no seating the first year and only minimum accommodations thereafter. The Park League played on any field it could find -- most of them inadequate. Jack Williams Stadium has long been considered one of the finest American Legion baseball stadiums in the country. In fact, the Fargo park neighboring the Red River of the North is one of few Legion-owned and -operated stadiums of such quality in the entire United States. Built exclusively for American Legion baseball, Jack Williams Stadium received rave reviews when Fargo Post 2 first hosted the American Legion Baseball World Series in 1983. Legion officials and fans were awestruck again in 1992 when nearly $100,000 worth of improvements and additions could be seen at Fargo's second World Series. The stadium has permanent seating for 2,291 fans, and with additional bleacher seating and extensive standing room, the park has seen beyond-capacity crowds of more than 5,000 for the World Series. Needless to say, national tournaments aren't the only ones to be hosted at Jack Williams Stadium. The park has hosted several postseason tournaments at all amateur levels. The stadium even served as the temporary home for professional baseball's Northern League in 1996 when the expansion Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks moved in for more than 10 games as construction wrapped up at their permanent home on the North Dakota State University campus. Floods from the nearby river ravage the playing feel seemingly every year, but when the water stays away, Jack Williams Stadium provides one of the best playing surfaces in the Central Plains. Fans appreciate a non-restricted view over an 8-foot concrete backstop wall from the permanent chair back seats along both baselines. And for those seeking shade on hot, sunny days at the yard, there's plenty of cool spots along the right field foul line. An air-conditioned press box with multiple phone lines towers above home plate, and a similar press box and spacious media workroom rest atop the team clubhouse on the first base side. About 100 games are played in the months of June and July at Jack Williams Stadium, including anywhere from two to five tournaments, but not including full practice schedules for both Fargo American Legion teams. From 1967 to 1978, the Oak Grove Grovers played their home football games here.