Baseball in Lincoln: Home Runs & New Horizons

by Ken Hambleton • photos by Tom Tidball

Baseball grew in Lincoln in 2025, and there is no end in sight.

Nebraska won its second consecutive Big Ten baseball tournament, and the city started its first season with the new all-artificial turf eight-field baseball-softball Sandhills Youth Global Sports Complex.

The Huskers overcame a disappointing start to their season to sweep the B1G tournament and grab an NCAA regional spot.

The stunning finish with a victory over UCLA in the annual tournament at Omaha’s Charles Schwab Field was another crowning moment in Lincoln baseball history.

Last spring also saw the beginning of the Sandhills Global Youth Sports Complex just north of Haymarket Park, home to Nebraska baseball and softball.

The $31.5 million baseball-softball complex opened to Nebraska Wesleyan baseball and softball in March and officially opened to a flurry of youth baseball and softball in May.

The new complex, which is expected to draw more than $15 million to the city in economic growth, has already played host to Top Gun softball tournament, USSSA Battle for the Throne, Driven Academy baseball, baseball developmental all-star games, and more than a dozen other youth tournaments. 

The parks also promote ball games for kids of all levels of development, from Homer’s Heroes for developmentally challenged kids to practice areas for the Huskers and college teams in the area.

Jeff Maul, executive director of Visit Lincoln, said, “This will be a game changer.”

Joe Fagler, executive director of the Sandhills Global Youth Complex, said the new complex will become a home to kids of all abilities to play the wonderful games of softball and baseball.

The city, with more than 100 years of pro and college baseball, isn’t stopping there, though.

The City of Lincoln announced $1.2 million investments in Jensen Park ball fields.

Nebraska baseball coach Will Bolt said it simply, “We have the best ballpark and the best fans you could ask for here in Lincoln.” He added, “The future is bright, with the foundation we have built here. The facilities are top-notch and getting better.”

Rhonda Revelle, the long-time coach of the Husker women’s softball team, said her teams play in the best softball diamond in college softball.

Fans in Lincoln and the surrounding region have embraced baseball dating back to the late 1800s.

Sherman Field in south Lincoln was home to pro baseball and huge crowds supporting the minor league Lincoln Pirates and Lincoln Chiefs, and later, American Legion baseball.

Eventually, the Lincoln Saltdogs, members of independent pro baseball, began play at Hawks Field in Haymarket Park in 2001. The Huskers moved in from Buck Beltzer the following season. Since then, the field has won the “best field in the American Association” award every year and is consistently praised by Nebraska’s Big Ten and non-conference foes.

The park also plays host to the largest crowds in Nebraska softball history, with a newly expanded grandstand in Bowlin.

Led by All-American pitcher Jordy Bahl, the Huskers ran through the Big Ten and the first round of the NCAA regionals in 2025 and expect more in the near future.

So grab some peanuts, put on a baseball hat, and jump into a ball game in Lincoln any time the fancy strikes.

The Saltdogs Celebrate 25 Years

“On behalf of the entire Lincoln Saltdogs organization, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible community and loyal fans for their unwavering support as we celebrate our 25th season of affordable, family-friendly entertainment,” said Lincoln Saltdogs General Manager Shane Tritz.

“This milestone isn’t just about the games we’ve played or the victories we’ve celebrated—it’s about the memories we’ve shared and the passion and energy our fans bring to the ballpark year after year. Thank you for being part of every pitch, every swing, and every magical moment. Here’s to 25 more years of enjoying America’s favorite pastime together.”