Illinois grants $400K for Rockford Peaches’ home stadium improvements

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The state of Illinois has granted $400,000 to the International Women’s Baseball Center to make improvements to the Rockford Peaches’ home stadium to attract professional league play.

Sen. Steve Stadelman and Mayor Tom McNamara were on hand at Beyer Peaches Stadium, 245 15th Avenue, on Monday to announce the funding grant.

“Given the rich history of the Rockford Peaches and women’s baseball in Rockford, attracting these inaugural games to Beyer Field is an opportunity not to be passed up. I want to help IWBC make the improvements necessary to accommodate women’s professional baseball sooner rather than later,” said Stadelman. “Having this world-class sports event occur on the Peaches’ home field will serve as an example of the economic catalyst that’s possible when the museum is fully developed.”

The funding helps the International Women’s Baseball Center reach $1.1 million in funding for Phase One of its three-phase plan to develop a women’s baseball museum at the site.

Phase One is expected to cost $5 million in total and consist of renovations to Beyer Stadium and north Beyer Field.

Phase Two is expected to cost $22.8 million for the construction of a sports center and museum hall, with Phase Three, the buildout of exhibits inside the museum hall, expected to cost an additional $3 million.

“The City of Rockford has been a proud supporter of the International Women’s Baseball Center for years,” said McNamara. “The legacy of Beyer Stadium is not just about baseball, it’s about trailblazing and community pride. Women’s baseball is a vital chapter in Rockford’s story, and we’re committed to preserving and celebrating that legacy for generations to come.”

The International Women’s Baseball Center has been working to secure funding for the stadium and museum since 2019.