Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Community members, Arkansas State University leadership, and Red Wolves baseball fans alike gathered Friday evening to break ground on the upcoming Player Development Center and Indoor Practice Facility.
The 40,000 square foot, two-level building, which A-State Athletics announced plans for in October 2025, will have a full turf infield, three batting cages, three pitching tunnels, a weight room, coach and support staff office space, and premium seating. The ASU System Board of Trustees approved construction of the facility in December 2025.
| READ MORE: A-State announces plans for baseball ‘Player Development Center’ facility
“I don’t think you can comprehend what this means to our baseball program – more importantly, what it’s gonna mean to our community,” said A-State Baseball Head Coach Mike Silva. “I can’t give enough ‘thank yous’ and superlatives.”
The center will overlook right field at Tomlinson Stadium and Slayton Family Field. A $5 million construction loan, obtained through the Red Wolves Foundation and in partnership with Centennial Bank, will fund the project.
The ceremony preceded the Grand Slam Banquet, which will be raising money for A-State baseball.
“This is a special moment for all of us in a lot of ways,” said A-State Athletics Director Chris Pezman. “It’s the next step in the evolution of our baseball program, and the commitment that we’re making to it, to show everybody that baseball is important here in Jonesboro.”