Photos by Spencer Collins, Greg Salo, & Treg Owings
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
Bailey-Brayton Field 855 Fairway Ln Pullman, WA 99163
Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 56,000
Baseball at Bailey-Brayton Field
Bailey-Brayton Field is the home ballpark for the Washington State Cougars baseball team. The 3,500-seat stadium opened in 1980 and was named after two of the program’s managers: Chuck Bailey and Bobo Brayton. They racked up 1,765 victories between the two of them during their tenures at the university.
Brayton was the skipper of the Cougars when the new stadium opened, and he was allowed to spend up to $20,000 to transport parts of the old Sicks Stadium from Seattle to campus. It included the bleacher seating, foul poles, and fencing. However, only the poles and wire fencing were used at the new stadium.
The stadium has changed a bit since debuting as Bailey Field, and the changes have included the addition of lights (the first for an NCAA ballpark to do so in the Pacific Northwest), FieldTurf, and, most recently, the $10 million Cougar Baseball Complex that houses locker rooms, cardio and weight room, academic area, team meeting room, and coach’s office completed in 2020.
Cougars baseball began in 1982 and has been played regularly since 1898. During that time, the ball club made 16 NCAA Tournament appearances and appeared in four College World Series, finishing as runners-up to Texas in 1950.
Food & Beverage 3
A concession stand is located near the entrance of the park (3rd base side) and sells a variety of food and drink items. Besides the concession items of fries, nachos, pretzels, Coca-Cola products, and candy, there is also a grill serving burgers and sausages. There is a loaded fry that comes with bacon bits, cheese, and jalapenos for a different take on the ballpark classic.
It is fenced off, and alcohol consumption is allowed only in the designated area of the beer garden. One must finish their drink before returning to their seat to watch the game. MillerCoors products are available by the can.
Atmosphere 3
Fans enter the ballpark by the 3rd base side through the Miller Plaza. There are steps leading to the main gates featuring lighting and banners of former ballplayers. The gates themselves are decorated with a cougar inside a baseball emblem, and the grandstand itself is built up against a grass and dirt hill.
The seating bowl is open to the elements and features a concourse at the bottom and the top that allows visitors a chance to move around to see the game from different vantage points. Most of the seating is bleacher seating with plastic bottoms with no backs, while a selection of seating behind the home plate features backs. Directly behind the fencing between the diamond and the concourse are the box seats for donors and sponsors of the program.
There is a video board in the left-center field installed in 2011 that offers two panels for pitchers and batter stats. Gates open 90 minutes before the games, and all bags must be soft and no larger than 14x8x14 and fit underneath your seat. There is no smoking anywhere inside or near the ballpark.
Neighborhood 2
The ballpark isn’t close to much walking-wise except for student housing and dorms, and if you drive into downtown Pullman, you will find a nice selection of restaurants and bars in this college town. They include Paradise Creek Brewery, Foundry Kitchen, My Office Bar & Grill, Porch Light Pizza, and the Lumberyard for farm-to-table fresh food.
Fans 3
It was a rather cold day during the review of the stadium. However, the student section was there to “Give ‘Em the Chair”. Fans hold up plastic chairs when an opposing batter is sitting two strikes. They are joined by the school’s mascot Butch T. Cougar in the chanting and cheering. The rest of the fans provided the typical backdrop for a college baseball game to round out the fan experience.
Access 4
Bailey-Brayton Field is located on the east side of the camps near the football stadium and the basketball arena. The seating bowl and concourse layout make it easy to move around, and there is ample parking near the ballpark for easy access by car.
Return on Investment 4
Attending a Cougars baseball game will cost between $7-$10 for adult tickets and $6 for seniors (age 60 plus and children ages 2-17). Parking is free around the stadium, but permits are required in the Green 5 Beasley lot.
Extras 2
The recent ballpark upgrades to improve the experience earn an extra point. These include the fencing, university signage, and the team's new locker rooms. Fans “Give ‘Em the Chair” by holding up plastic chairs when an opposing batter is sitting two strikes is a nice tradition to enjoy while at the game.
Final Thoughts
An ideal spot for baseball in the part of the state, but bring a blanket for the early spring games. The atmosphere is enjoyable and stadium improvements make it a wonderful way to spend nine innings.