Saturday was another beautiful Winter day here in Virginia Beach. Temps in the mid to upper 50s, again not complaining whatsoever. It was a jeans and comfy jacket kind of day with a lot of sunshine and ideal conditions for exploring parks and baseball fields. First, Rachel and I took the Weims to Red Wing Park, just south of the NAS Oceana area. Huge open field for walking, playing soccer with the kids, a dog park, tennis courts – I have to say VA Beach really knows how to recreation. After a spirited walk/pull/run with the dogs all over the park, we took the short drive to Floyd E. Kellam High School to check out their baseball field.

So to date, I visit local baseball field, whether I am home or traveling for work, and then do some research as to who may have played on that field. And I am always pleasantly surprised to find interesting alumni, including entertainers, actors, sports figures, and of course current or former MLB players. This trip to Kellam was planned because I did the pre-research and found out that Washington Nationals “Mr. National” Ryan Zimmerman is a Kellam Alumni (2002). I also learned that Kellam High School moved to a new facility in 2014, so the field I was about to visit may not have been the one Zimmerman played on. Still, I was eager to check out the field and explore the area for any cool statues, plaques, signs, and whatever else caught my eye.

The trip getting to Kellam High School was relatively painless. The trip getting to the baseball was mildly frustrating. So, I figured, main entrance there has to be a way to get to the baseball field. Good assumption, right? So, I took the right into the main entrance, around the rotary, and into a student lot. Nope, turned around, went back to the rotary, took the exit past the one I previously tried, drove around the parking lot to the right thinking I could drive around the main building. Nope, strike 2. So, I went back to the rotary and out of the corner of my right eye, like a pitcher checking the runner at first base, I spotted a stop sign that looked like a second entrance to the high school fields. So, I headed back onto W Neck Rd, then took the right and BINGO, I was in the parking lot facing the softball field, a baseball/softball office structure, and the baseball field.

As I walked towards the baseball field, I noticed a baseball practice happening on the softball field. How awesome, youth baseball season is just around the corner. Or in some circles, never stops year round. Another thing I noticed, an open door to the field. So, I walked straight for the door and entered the field around the center field area. The first photo I took was of the Knights scoreboard.

By the way, getting back to Ryan Zimmerman for just a moment, wow what a career. I mentioned the “Mr. National” nickname and it is absolutely perfect fitting for Zimmerman. 1st round draft pick of the Washington Nationals in the 2005 MLB Draft out of the University of Virginia, played for Team USA in 2004, 16 year MLB career with one franchise, Nationals/Expos franchise leader in hits, home runs, RBI’s, and games played, retired in 2022, had his jersey number 11 retired later that summer of 2022. Here are his stats from his Baseball Reference page:

Ok, so now I know the Kellam High School Baseball team is the Knights. I took a look around the field to make sure I wasn’t stepping into a practice, then proceeded to walk the perimeter of the outfield, passed the bullpen in short right field, over to the dugout area.  Again, like all of the other natural grass baseball fields I have visited, the field is still coming back from hibernation. I snagged this photo looking out from the backstop.

When I got to the home plate area, I noticed a wooden park bench positioned right behind home plate. I found an exit over in short left field and walked behind the bleachers, and into the spot right behind the backstop looking out at the field. The wooden bench had an inscription “In Memory of Catherine ‘Mama’ Jones.” I couldn’t find much online to identify this person, perhaps someone reading this blog could clue me in.

I didn’t sit on the bench, but I have to tell you this is a fantastic place to watch a baseball game. I found myself back on the field briefly to take a few more photos of the field before heading out. Really impressive setup, I can’t wait to see games there this Spring.

The drive down to Red Wing Park, then Kellam High School, then down Oceana Blvd passed the NAS main gate, and with the weather cooperating immensely – it was just an awesome day exploring Virginia Beach yesterday. So far, the baseball fields I have visited have been incredible. With Winter winding down in the next few weeks and high school baseball games starting up soon, it is going to a wicked fun Spring of baseball here in Hampton Roads.