MOOSE, WYOMING — On Sunday, campers and hikers at Grand Teton National Park’s Jenny Lake heard news that the Trump administration and Major League Baseball were allegedly scouting the park for a baseball venue. The report, originally published by The Washington Post, sparked immediate backlash from visitors who cherish the park as a wildlife sanctuary.
Local voices speak out
“Keep America’s pastime in our baseball parks, not in our national parks,” said David Kelly, an Angels fan from Los Angeles, as he watched the lake’s calm waters. “What are they going to do, cut down a bunch of trees?”
Kristen Kelly added, “They would have to build a field? Not in Yellowstone, not in Yosemite. No!”
Seattle‑based visitor Scott Bauer, a Mariners and Red Sox fan, echoed the sentiment, while his companion Carol Bauer warned, “I don’t need him doing any construction in parks,” referring to President Donald Trump’s broader building agenda.
Former Durango, Colorado mayor Christiana Rinderle called the idea “foul,” noting that national parks exist for people to enjoy wildlife and natural beauty.
Administration’s response
White House officials clarified that the National Park Service Deputy Director Frank Lands’ recent visit to three Grand Teton sites was not a baseball scouting mission. A Reuters‑quoted statement read, “This is not a Presidential directive, nor is it being directed by the White House. It’s also not being driven by the Department of the Interior. Therefore, this is not a White House or Administration priority.”
Expert and park official comments
Former Colorado National Monument superintendent Joan Anzelmo said, “MLB should know that Grand Teton, home to grizzly bears, bison, wolves, moose, cougars and elk, is not an appropriate or safe venue for your baseball fantasy.”
Park Service data shows the 310,000‑acre reserve contains thousands of acres of sagebrush plain. A standard baseball field occupies about four acres, a stadium about 25 acres, and a full complex with parking can require hundreds of acres. Only roughly 10 acres of the park’s sagebrush have been “already disturbed” for a recent trailhead expansion.
Practical considerations
At 6,783 feet above sea level, a baseball would travel roughly 40 feet farther than at sea level, according to experts. However, the high‑elevation environment also presents safety concerns for players and spectators alike.
Past attempts to host baseball in protected areas have been limited. The National Park Service previously facilitated a game at Manzanar National Historic Site in California, where the Little Tokyo Giants faced the Lodi JACL Templars in 2024.
No comment from key parties
Neither the Department of the Interior nor Major League Baseball responded to inquiries on Sunday.
The story, originally published by WyoFile, highlights ongoing public vigilance over preserving America’s natural treasures from commercial exploitation.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
