New summer collegiate baseball team coming to Kokomo

KOKOMO, Ind. – Some exciting news for sports fans out of Kokomo!

A new summer collegiate baseball program will be coming to Kokomo Municipal Stadium.

Northwoods League team, the Kokomo Jackrabbits. previously played in the facility up until this season.

“This would have been the 10th year for baseball in Kokomo, and we kind of had a parting of ways with the former organization and put out for bids,” said Mayor Tyler Moore.

Now, Bullpen Ventures are up to bat.

They’ll be creating a new team and taking care of the facility. The group already manages Grand Park in Westfield, as well as Championship Park just down the road.

“It felt like it was necessary for us to grow our baseball roots here,” said Bullpen Ventures President Blake Hibler.

“Joe Thatcher, one of our owners, played professionally for nine years, and was a little bit inspired to get Kokomo collegiate summer baseball back on track.”

Several other players from the area have also knocked it out of the park over the years.

“We’ve had collegiate baseball here, literally going back to the ’60s,” said Brent Owens, one of the committee members.

“Off those teams, the Highlanders, the local high schools, we’ve had a lot of major league pitchers come.”

With the recent upgrades to turf, lighting, and netting, those involved hope thousands will come to fill the stands and root for the home team.

During this year’s hiatus, local teams have been playing on the field.

“We have a really good relationship with IUK that’ll continue, and with the high school to ensure, really, that the local athletes are playing here, as well as the future professionals,” said Hibler.

While Bullpen is working to evaluate potential players, they’re also working with the city on the brand.

“The next steps for the team, we’re going to come up with some suggested team mascots or logos and have the community participate in voting on who the next team name may be,” said Moore.

Opening day for the new team will be in May 2026.