This past week, I was in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina area for work (ArcBest). And found some personal time to explore some baseball spots around the area near my hotel. Understanding that it is winter time and most baseball parks, fields, and stadiums are not open or operational, I set out Tuesday for a pair of major league baseball experiences in the Winston-Salem area – The Winston-Salem Dash’s Truist Stadium and Wake Forest University’s David F. Couch Ballpark.

After an extra large cup of coffee and a breakfast bar, I took the short drive west on NC Route 421 to Route 52 to the campus of Wake Forest University. When I located the ballpark signs, I followed them into a 90% empty parking lot situated next to David F. Couch Ballpark, formerly known as Ernie Shore Field, now Gene Hooks Field and current home of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons Baseball team. A lot to process but essentially the park has gone through a few name changes over the years as well as tenants. The Carolina League’s Winston-Salem entry previously played at Ernie Shore Field as well. So, needless to say, David F. Couch Ballpark has some serious baseball history in the Winston-Salem area.

I was guessing by the emptiness of the parking lot that Wake Forest University, like many other colleges and universities this time of year, was still mostly on Winter break. I found a spot facing the football stadium, then proceeded to walk up to the front gate area and snap a few photos of the perimeter of the ballpark. It was a chilly, not cold Tuesday morning so just a sweatshirt was all I really needed for warmth. The sun was out, very little wind present, and I happily walked down the hill towards the right field fence area to check out what I could of Gene Hooks Field. Nice to be tall because I was able to hold my camera above my head, above the perimeter walls and get a few photos. In the parking lot, I found this gem.

On the third base side of Couch Ballpark, there was an alumni building (closed) which appeared to have some Wake Forest baseball memorabilia. On the hallway leading up to the building, there was a plaque commemorating the 1949 Wake Forest National Runner-Up team. I found an area map of the WF athletic fields and looked to see if there were any other baseball related fields or buildings I could check out. In the end, I took one pass down by the football field to look out onto the baseball field and then headed back to my rental car.

By the way, here is a short list of notable Wake Forest baseball alumni:

• Nick Kurtz (2025 AL Rookie of the Year)
• Chase Burns (Red top prospect, pitcher)
• Tommy Gregg (longtime Atlanta Braves IF)
• Gavin Sheets (MLB slugger on multiple teams)
• David Couch (ballpark’s namesake)

After returning to my rental car and plugging in my next stop, I noticed someone walking towards and into the Wake Forest Alumni building. Shucks, timing is everything. I paused for a moment but then pivoted my attention to my next Winston-Salem stop, the home of the Winston-Salem Dash, Truist Stadium.

Like many Minor League Baseball stadiums in the offseason, Truist Stadium was closed except for deliveries and office staff and perhaps a promotional event or two. Many minor league ballparks turn to holiday promotional events in the winter months to help fill the gap between the end of the previous season and the beginning of the next several months away. When I pulled into the 99.9% empty Truist Stadium parking lot, I was greeted by someone (possibly Dash staff) who asked if I was meeting someone at the stadium. I told him who I was and he said proceed. And so I did.

From my parking spot to where I finished walking, I would ballpark my Truist Stadium experience to be about CF to LF. The gates, the entryways, the views of the park were limited to the hill I was perched on, so I made the most of it. I spotted a cool statue, entitled “The Home Run” featuring kids positioning for a home run ball. Through a series of slotted metal fences, I got a great view of the field from the LF foul line. The front of the stadium, sides, didn’t offer much of a view from the outside. I’m guessing the views on the inside are what matters. So, my trip to Truist was short and sweet.

The Winston-Salem Dash are the Single (High) A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. They begin their 2026 MILB season on the road in April, followed by their first homestand of the season starting Tuesday, April 7th vs. Frederick. Frederick is the new Baltimore Orioles High A Affiliate, taking over for the Aberdeen Ironbirds. One last item to note, the Dash alternate identity (very popular in minor league baseball) for 2026 is the Carolina Reapers.

It was great to get up and out to two fantastic and historic Winston-Salem area baseball experiences. Wake Forest University is just so impressive as a campus and their athletic fields are incredible. It was awesome to find a baseball souvenir to add to my collection of found baseballs at WF’s David F. Couch Ballpark. Truist Stadium, home of the Winston-Salem Dash and soon to be Carolina Reapers (alternate identity), was a bit harder to see inside from the exterior views I had, but then again, it is January. Despite both being closed to the public for inside the stadium viewing, I had a blast walking the perimeter of each stadium, and hoping to catch a glimpse of their magic. The weather cooperated, the bright morning sunshine helped out this amateur photographer, and the bonus was I got it all accomplished in time for a nice breakfast at the Route 66 Diner and well before my work commitments.

Overall, it was an amazing two for Tuesday pair of Winston-Salem, North Carolina baseball experiences at Wake Forest University’s David F. Couch Ballpark and the Winston-Salem Dash’s Truist Stadium.