ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – The world’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to women’s baseball receives multiple grants to support the renovations to Beyer Stadium, home of the Rockford Peaches.
The International Women’s Baseball Center received a $2,000,000 grant from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation and a $350,000 grant from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation.
The grants will expedite Phase One of construction to the stadium, which includes an indoor sports center and a women’s baseball museum, designed by Belvidere native, Jeanne Gang.
Phase One has also been supported by the city of Rockford, Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman and IWBC being selected to host the World Baseball Softball Confederation Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026.
Renovations include new bleachers, new restrooms, field regrading and sodding, irrigation, electrical upgrades, dugout upgrades, a scoreboard, foul poles, batting cages, pitching areas and a press box.
The park surrounding Beyer Stadium will include the Women’s Baseball Gallery outdoor exhibit, a picnic area, the restoration of the main entrance ticket booth, walking paths and recreation areas.
The area will be named Maybelle Blair Park to honor IWBC’s founding director. Blair played for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and the National Women’s Softball League.
“Maybelle Blair is a baseball trailblazer and truly in a league of her own,” said Alex Cohen, President of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation and the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. “In her honor, we are proud to support the International Women’s Baseball Center as they inspire the next generation of players and preserve the legacy of women in baseball.”
The new bleacher seating will be named the Cohen Bleachers and the press box will be named after the Amazin’ Mets Foundation.
The six-acre campus will be completed in three phases, with Phase One scheduled to be complete in 2026. Phase Two is expected to cost $22,800,000 and includes the construction of the activity center and immersive museum located across the street. Phase Three is expected to cost $3,000,000 and covers the artifacts and exhibits inside the museum, including a restored Rockford Peaches World War II era team bus.
The project is expected to be complete by 2030.
“We are deeply thankful to Alex Cohen and the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation and Amazin’ Mets Foundation for their generous donations,” said Dr. Kat Williams, IWBC’s CEO. “Their support will make a profound and lasting impact at Beyer Stadium, Maybelle Blair Park, and throughout the Rockford community, region, nation and world. We truly appreciate their commitment to the IWBC and the future of women’s baseball, and continue our fundraising efforts to complete the entire six-acre campus and Center. We look forward to bringing the world to Rockford, Illinois.”
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