Sherman Field

Parks Department Announces Completion of Sherman Field Renovations

November 6, 2023

Lincoln Parks and Recreation today announced the completion of the Sherman Field infield renovation project at Sampson Park, 225 South St. The project began in August.

“Our department is thrilled to upgrade one of our most beloved facilities. The history of Sherman Field goes back to 1947 and we are proud to continue its legacy of quality athlete and spectator experience with this recent renovation. We look forward to the new stories that will be written at Sherman Field,” said Maggie Stuckey-Ross, Lincoln Parks and Recreation Director.

The infield renovation project included installation of 37,517 square feet of artificial turf, regrading, new backstop padding, and the addition of a new drainage system. The improvements will help reduce labor and material costs to maintain the facility and will minimize disruption to play caused by inclement weather, Stuckey-Ross said. The entire project was funded by the Parks and Recreation Department.

“This project will provide the youth within the city of Lincoln, including student athletes from all Lincoln public and private high schools, another championship facility to utilize,” said Dr. J.J. Tozcek, Director of Activities and Athletics for Lincoln Public Schools. “The turfed baseball championship facilities of Sherman Field and Den Hartog, in combination with the new fields being built at Lincoln Northwest High School through the Foundation for Lincoln Public School's Fielding Dreams Campaign, will make the Capital City a destination site for state, regional and national baseball contests and tournaments.”

Sherman Field is a premier baseball facility owned by the City of Lincoln and located at Second and South streets. Since 1961, the field has been used for American Legion and state high school baseball games. In 1997, the grandstand and field were renovated, and in 2012, new dugouts, a ticket and concession building, landscaping, infrastructure improvements, perimeter fencing, and donor recognition/historical displays were added by the Lincoln Parks Foundation via the Sherman Field Forever Campaign.

“From Sherman Field to the new LPS fields, to the future Sandhills Global Youth Complex, this is an exciting time for baseball in Lincoln. We look forward to welcoming the community to celebrate the first pitch at the newly renovated Sherman Field in spring 2024,” Stuckey-Ross said. 

Built in 1947, Sherman Field is a premier baseball facility owned by the City of Lincoln and located at 2nd and South Streets. Sherman Field has a long and proud history, having been the home for the Lincoln Chiefs in the 1940s and 1950s and Satchel Paige, Nellie Fox, and Bobby Shantz. 

Since 1961, the historic field was used for American Legion and state high school baseball games. More than 6000 “boys of summer” have learned to win and lose on Sherman Field every year. Some of the most well-known of these include Joba Chamberlain and Alex Gordon, both former Husker baseball players and Major League Baseball players. 

While the 72-year-old field and grandstand were renovated in 1997, the original support facilities were in need of replacement. A renovation project was proposed and approved in 2012, with thanks to the generosity of many donors through a fundraising campaign. The proposed improvements were large, including two new dugouts, a new ticket and concession building, a new concourse featuring a ball diamond design. The final phase of renovation included landscaping, infrastructure improvements, new perimeter fencing, and special donor recognition and historical displays. 

The improved Sherman Field was dedicated in April of 2013. A Dedication Ceremony was held with special guests: Mayor Chris Beutler, Lead Donor John Sampson, and Campaign Co-Chairs Leslie Gordon and Joba Chamberlain. An inaugural baseball game was held after the dedication, starting off a new legacy of the best of baseball in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Tournaments and Special Events

See Rental Regulations and Field Use Application for more detail.

Sherman and Densmore fields may be rented for games only, not practices.

• Holmes, Mahoney, Sawyer Snell, and Lewis

• First Field in Complex: $90.00/day

• Additional fields in same complex: $70.00/day

• Sherman (Grass Infield)

• $450.00/day

• Densmore and Kiwanis (Grass Infields)

• First Field in Complex: $360.00/day

• Additional fields grass infield: $340.00/day

• Densmore Skinned Infields

• First field in complex: $95.00/day

• Additional fields skinned infield: $75.00/day

Light Fees

• $5.00/hr: 1 hour minimum ¼ hours after

• $10.00/hr: Densmore #1 and #2 and Sherman

Rental Responsibilities for Ball Fields

The Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department will provide the following:

• Initial field dragging and brooming. If games are scheduled to start prior to 9:00am dragging/brooming is not guaranteed.

• Hand tools for field maintenance.

• Barrels and trash bags

• Restroom supplies

Renters Rules and Responsibilities are as Follows:

• Lining fields

• Providing field maintenance between games as needed. This would include raking, dragging, and touching up field lines.

• Keep equipment and storage areas secured and locked when not in use.

• Motor vehicles are not to be on any part of the field, sidewalk, trails, grass or any other area not authorized for motor vehicles

• Tents or other structures needing ground stakes are not to be used.

• Teams are not to be allowed to have “soft toss” batting practice against fences.

Tournaments and Special Events

See Rental Regulations and Field Use Application for more detail. Sherman and Densmore fields may be rented for games only, not practices.

Optional Services: