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A large group of Utah Baseball supporters, dignitaries and others (not all pictured) took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking on Wednesday for Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark (photo: Davis Kuhn / Utah Athletics)
“The Next Field of Dreams”: Ground Broken on Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark
8/28/2024 5:22 PM | Baseball
New home of the Utes to open for game competition in 2026
SALT LAKE CITY – It was a festive day on Wednesday for the Utah Baseball program and the entire University of Utah community, as over 150 guests gathered for a construction celebration at the future site of Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark.
The new home of the Utes began construction earlier this Summer and will be located on Guardsman Way at the former Utah Baseball practice facility. The new field surface is expected to be available for team practice only beginning in Spring 2025, with the facility ready for game competition in the 2026 season.
A lineup of speakers addressed Wednesday's guests before a ceremonial groundbreaking was held. Podium speakers included University President Taylor R. Randall, Director of Athletics Mark Harlan, America First Credit Union President/CEO Thayne Shaffer, Colorado Rockies Owner/General Partner Charlie Monfort and Utah Head Baseball Coach Gary Henderson.
Once the main event program concluded, guests stuck around to enjoy food and light refreshments—all while looking ahead to a new era of Utah Baseball.
Plans for Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark include:
The 2024 Utes made strides with one of the program's top seasons in history. Showing improvement from '23 in virtually every facet, the team won 33 games—tying the second-most victories all-time. Henderson's club entered the national polls with a top-25 ranking, carried on the mound by Utah native and Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year Bryson Van Sickle.
Following the season, three Utes were selected in the MLB Draft in left-handed pitcher Micah Ashman, right-handed pitcher Merit Jones and outfielder Kai Roberts.
Follow @utahbaseball on social media.
Selected Quotes
University of Utah President Taylor R. Randall
"This is a historic day for the University of Utah Baseball team…I hope today is a day of nostalgia and memories, because there is no other sport like America's pastime, where you can sit and watch and keep score and predict what could happen next. Today is also about the future of this baseball team in the Big 12. This is about the future of this baseball team playing on the national stage regularly."
"I am excited. We hope this is a gift to the neighborhood, a gift, that on afternoons we all come out, have a hot dog and enjoy what America's pastime is."
Utah Director of Athletics Mark Harlan
"This means a lot to me personally. I believe that our teams are all really special here. And this team needed a home on campus. It was simple as that. We set about to do that. As Coach Henderson articulated, it's not just the stadium but the infrastructure that will go with it. I'm really proud of these donors that leaned in to create the dream. I've been with baseball players (at Utah) since 2018 and have met a lot of alums. This has been a dream for a long time. The fact that we're here today is pretty special."
"I went to school at the University of Arizona and baseball was on campus. I remember stumbling over there in my flip-flops and watching games. Kenny Lofton was a baseball player at that time. So was JT Snow. I remember as a student, watching those guys play and sitting with my friends…I really am glad for the students. This is becoming a residential school right in front of our eyes. This is going to be an incredible gathering place. It's a huge thing for our students."
Thayne Shaffer, President/CEO of America First Credit Union
"To us, this is just an extension of a decades-long partnership that we value so much with this university. We have appreciated when we get those calls, when we get those opportunities to serve the university and the students, and to be a part of the athletics here."
"To us, this represents more than just a state-of-the-art athletic facility. I think this is a place where people will come and their lives will change."
Charlie Monfort, Colorado Rockies Owner/General Partner
"I fell in love with the University of Utah right off the bat. I knew it was for me and that it was a perfect fit. I knew that I didn't want to go to school anywhere else—I didn't even apply anywhere else. These was the most influential years of my life. I loved it here."
"Since 1856…baseball has been the one constant that's gone on throughout the years. They've tweaked it a little bit, but the game hasn't changed. It's about the only constant I can think of since the 1850s, that we have here in the United States that is still the same. I believe in baseball. I believe it creates moral makeup, good character, strong men and women."
"This I believe, as President Randall said, is the next Field of Dreams—right here at the University of Utah."
"This is a great day. It's a very emotional, special day for me. For what the university did to set me up for life and taught me what I learned, I'm humbled to be here and to give back to the university."
Utah Head Baseball Coach Gary Henderson
"To be able to develop players in a world-class facility like we're going to have in this ballpark, is extremely gratifying and very impressive. Being on campus creates a sense of belonging to the campus community. It'll improve our ability to get our students here, campus community and our local community into the ballpark and create a homefield advantage."
"It's simply exciting to have everything in one spot. You're talking about a training room, weight room, equipment room, coaches' offices, hitting cages, indoor facility, locker room, all those things are exciting. Your day becomes much more efficient. We try to build the best club that we can. Becoming more efficient is a good thing because it impacts you every day—not just a gameday. We're very grateful of the supporters to put us in a position to have a ballpark on campus. It'll help bring in the students, local community and campus community."
Junior Outfielder Kaden Carpenter
"It's going to be great. The field isn't just something for us, but generations to come. It's cool to be a part of. We're going to take care of business this year and then we'll be ready (to move in here) for the 2026 season."
"Right now, and in previous years, we've had to bounce around because of the lack of facilities in one spot. The development piece and ability to get better every day is going to change dramatically."
"I'm from Utah, so this field means a lot to me personally. I'm a home-grown kid. The mountains are something that I love. It's a reminder that I'm home."
Official Mobile App of Utah Athletics – Utah 360
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience that offers access to news and information, schedules, rosters, stats and behind-the-scenes videos, and allows fans to buy and manage game tickets and order concessions straight from their mobile device. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready!
The new home of the Utes began construction earlier this Summer and will be located on Guardsman Way at the former Utah Baseball practice facility. The new field surface is expected to be available for team practice only beginning in Spring 2025, with the facility ready for game competition in the 2026 season.
A lineup of speakers addressed Wednesday's guests before a ceremonial groundbreaking was held. Podium speakers included University President Taylor R. Randall, Director of Athletics Mark Harlan, America First Credit Union President/CEO Thayne Shaffer, Colorado Rockies Owner/General Partner Charlie Monfort and Utah Head Baseball Coach Gary Henderson.
Once the main event program concluded, guests stuck around to enjoy food and light refreshments—all while looking ahead to a new era of Utah Baseball.
Plans for Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark include:
- FieldTurf playing surface
- Permanent seating for 1,200 fans, plus grass berm seating in the outfield
- Baseball support spaces including locker rooms, coaches' offices, medical space, equipment storage, indoor batting/pitching cages and press box
- Fan amenities including concessions, restrooms, ticket office and merchandise
- Estimated project cost is $35 million, with the majority privately raised
The 2024 Utes made strides with one of the program's top seasons in history. Showing improvement from '23 in virtually every facet, the team won 33 games—tying the second-most victories all-time. Henderson's club entered the national polls with a top-25 ranking, carried on the mound by Utah native and Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year Bryson Van Sickle.
Following the season, three Utes were selected in the MLB Draft in left-handed pitcher Micah Ashman, right-handed pitcher Merit Jones and outfielder Kai Roberts.
Follow @utahbaseball on social media.
Selected Quotes
University of Utah President Taylor R. Randall
"This is a historic day for the University of Utah Baseball team…I hope today is a day of nostalgia and memories, because there is no other sport like America's pastime, where you can sit and watch and keep score and predict what could happen next. Today is also about the future of this baseball team in the Big 12. This is about the future of this baseball team playing on the national stage regularly."
"I am excited. We hope this is a gift to the neighborhood, a gift, that on afternoons we all come out, have a hot dog and enjoy what America's pastime is."
Utah Director of Athletics Mark Harlan
"This means a lot to me personally. I believe that our teams are all really special here. And this team needed a home on campus. It was simple as that. We set about to do that. As Coach Henderson articulated, it's not just the stadium but the infrastructure that will go with it. I'm really proud of these donors that leaned in to create the dream. I've been with baseball players (at Utah) since 2018 and have met a lot of alums. This has been a dream for a long time. The fact that we're here today is pretty special."
"I went to school at the University of Arizona and baseball was on campus. I remember stumbling over there in my flip-flops and watching games. Kenny Lofton was a baseball player at that time. So was JT Snow. I remember as a student, watching those guys play and sitting with my friends…I really am glad for the students. This is becoming a residential school right in front of our eyes. This is going to be an incredible gathering place. It's a huge thing for our students."
Thayne Shaffer, President/CEO of America First Credit Union
"To us, this is just an extension of a decades-long partnership that we value so much with this university. We have appreciated when we get those calls, when we get those opportunities to serve the university and the students, and to be a part of the athletics here."
"To us, this represents more than just a state-of-the-art athletic facility. I think this is a place where people will come and their lives will change."
Charlie Monfort, Colorado Rockies Owner/General Partner
"I fell in love with the University of Utah right off the bat. I knew it was for me and that it was a perfect fit. I knew that I didn't want to go to school anywhere else—I didn't even apply anywhere else. These was the most influential years of my life. I loved it here."
"Since 1856…baseball has been the one constant that's gone on throughout the years. They've tweaked it a little bit, but the game hasn't changed. It's about the only constant I can think of since the 1850s, that we have here in the United States that is still the same. I believe in baseball. I believe it creates moral makeup, good character, strong men and women."
"This I believe, as President Randall said, is the next Field of Dreams—right here at the University of Utah."
"This is a great day. It's a very emotional, special day for me. For what the university did to set me up for life and taught me what I learned, I'm humbled to be here and to give back to the university."
Utah Head Baseball Coach Gary Henderson
"To be able to develop players in a world-class facility like we're going to have in this ballpark, is extremely gratifying and very impressive. Being on campus creates a sense of belonging to the campus community. It'll improve our ability to get our students here, campus community and our local community into the ballpark and create a homefield advantage."
"It's simply exciting to have everything in one spot. You're talking about a training room, weight room, equipment room, coaches' offices, hitting cages, indoor facility, locker room, all those things are exciting. Your day becomes much more efficient. We try to build the best club that we can. Becoming more efficient is a good thing because it impacts you every day—not just a gameday. We're very grateful of the supporters to put us in a position to have a ballpark on campus. It'll help bring in the students, local community and campus community."
Junior Outfielder Kaden Carpenter
"It's going to be great. The field isn't just something for us, but generations to come. It's cool to be a part of. We're going to take care of business this year and then we'll be ready (to move in here) for the 2026 season."
"Right now, and in previous years, we've had to bounce around because of the lack of facilities in one spot. The development piece and ability to get better every day is going to change dramatically."
"I'm from Utah, so this field means a lot to me personally. I'm a home-grown kid. The mountains are something that I love. It's a reminder that I'm home."
Official Mobile App of Utah Athletics – Utah 360
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience that offers access to news and information, schedules, rosters, stats and behind-the-scenes videos, and allows fans to buy and manage game tickets and order concessions straight from their mobile device. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready!
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