Bridgewater Baseball Field - Bridgewater Eagles
- Gregory Koch
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14
Bridgewater Baseball Field Hatcher Dr Bridgewater, VA 22812
Capacity: 500
Fly Like an Eagle, Into Bridgewater
Bridgewater College is located in Bridgewater, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley portion of the state. The school has about 1,800 students, and the athletic programs compete in Division III of the NCAA, in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC).
Bridgewater's baseball team competes at the 500-seat Bridgewater Baseball Field, which is part of the Jopson Athletic Complex that also includes the softball and football fields. It was originally known as Riverside Field as Riverside Drive, and the North River lie beyond the outfield fence.
Food & Beverage 1
According to the Bridgewater athletic website, there is a concession stand at the baseball stadium. However, if there is one, it was not open when we visited. Fans are free to bring their own food, and many do. However, alcohol is not allowed.
Atmosphere 2
There is a set of bleachers behind home plate at Bridgewater Baseball Field. However, as of the time of our visit in March 2025, it was blocked off by caution tape and fans could not sit here. Instead, they must bring their own chairs and sit behind the netting that runs from dugout to dugout, or find someplace to stand in this area. Arrive early if you want to find a good spot. It can be hard to see much through the netting, and the angles aren't great either.
There isn't a lot going on here other than the game itself. Music is played between batters, and the PA announcer will announce the starting lineups and batters coming to the plate, but that is about it. There is a scoreboard in left field that shows the linescore and other basic information.
Neighborhood 4
Bridgewater is a small town in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, but that does not mean nothing is going on. Most businesses are located along Main Street (Route 42), a short drive away from the Bridgewater campus. Francesco's Italian, El Charro Mexican, and the Cracked Village Pub are all good places to check out. Smiley's Ice Cream is located closer to I-81 and you will probably drive by it on your way in. It serves delicious ice cream made on-site, including special flavors that vary weekly as well as many regular flavors. It is one of the best ice cream places in the Shenandoah Valley in our opinion. We recommend the banana ice cream, made with fresh bananas.
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Fans 2
Bridgewater only draws a few dozen fans to a typical home game, and as the ODAC covers a small area, many of them will be cheering for the opposing team. As the fans are crowded into a small area, the crowd can seem larger and louder than it actually is, but that isn't saying much. This is low level baseball, and most of the fans here are friends or family of the players on the field.
Access 2
Bridgewater's campus is located a few miles off I-81 and US 11. Once you get on campus, there is lot next to the stadium, but be warned that the closest spots are in foul ball territory. Park there at your own risk.
The fact that there are no bleachers in the stadium that fans can sit on brings this score down significantly, although in practice at the Division III level many fans bring their own chairs anyway. Still, it is nice to at least have the option to sit in the bleachers, and it's not like there aren't any - they're just closed off.
Restrooms are located in a building at the top of a small hill behind the stadium and are generally sufficient for the crowds.
Return on Investment 3
There is no cost to attend a Bridgewater baseball game. You may pay for concessions if the stand is open, but you can also bring your own food or just eat before the game. Unfortunately, there isn't enough here to earn an above average score on value, even with free admission.
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Extras 1
Look for the sign on the right field fence honoring Bridgewater baseball conference championships and postseason appearances.
Final Thoughts
Bridgewater Baseball Field is one of the most basic baseball venues you will ever see. Even for Division III baseball, this is basic. The bleachers aren't open, so be sure to bring your own chair if you do attend a game here. Bridgewater's other athletic facilities are at the high end for Division III, so there is opportunity for improvement here if the school wants to put in the money and effort.
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