Wyoming’s iconic national parks hold more than towering peaks and geysers – they also hide a surprising baseball heritage. A recent review of satellite imagery and on‑the‑ground research uncovered seven former baseball diamonds spread across Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
Where the fields were found
In Grand Teton, an early field once stood in the staff residential area at Moose before the site was redeveloped into employee housing. Further north, the small community of Moran still hosts a diamond at its elementary school, serving local children and park staff alike.
Yellowstone’s five fields were located using Google Earth. One of the most striking sites lies near the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Photographer Brad Boner, while revisiting historic vistas for his book “Yellowstone National Park Through the Lens of Time,” stumbled onto the outfield and backstop of what he calls the West Thumb Ballpark. The center‑field tree line sits about 262 feet from home plate, with a surrounding tree roughly 60 feet tall, creating a picturesque backdrop reminiscent of classic ball‑park scenery.
Historical context and recent interest
Boner’s discovery was part of a broader effort to match modern photographs with the iconic images captured by pioneer photographer William Henry Jackson in 1871. While exploring the West Thumb area, Boner felt as if he were walking onto the set of “Field of Dreams,” noting, “It was like walking out of the cornfield in ‘Field of Dreams.’”
Further investigation revealed additional fields at the Yellowstone communities of Mammoth, Canyon Village, Old Faithful and Fishing Bridge. The Old Faithful site no longer appears in recent satellite photos, suggesting it may have been reclaimed by natural processes or park development.
Park development and the fate of the fields
Some of the fields have been lost to necessary park improvements. In Grand Teton, the Moose field was cleared when the National Park Service built new staff housing near the Chapel of Transfiguration in 2011. Photographer Brad Boner and journalist Cory Hatch of the Jackson Hole News&Guide were documenting that construction and, according to Boner, may have indirectly contributed to the field’s removal. “They said the field was a good place for employees to get outside and recreate,” Boner recalled, adding that the project’s planners ultimately chose a different site for housing.
When Major League Baseball floated the idea of staging a professional game in Grand Teton, the Trump administration quickly labeled the proposal “not a priority.” The administration’s response, while brief, underscored a broader commitment to preserving the parks’ natural and historic character over commercial ventures.
Why the discovery matters
These hidden diamonds illustrate how recreation has long been woven into the fabric of park life, offering employees and nearby residents a chance to play ball amid breathtaking scenery. While the fields are no longer active venues, their existence adds a layer of cultural history to the parks that many visitors may never know.
Local historians and park enthusiasts hope that the newfound awareness will inspire preservation of remaining sites and perhaps spark community events that celebrate this unique intersection of sport and nature.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
