Similar AJ Simeon Stadium, Kentner Stadium, Gene Hooks Field at W, Jamieson Stadium, Finch Field | ||
Gene Hooks Stadium was a baseball stadium in Winston-Salem, NC. It was the primary home field of the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons college baseball teams from 1981 through 2008.
Wake Forest University's baseball program moved to the former home of the Winston-Salem minor league baseball team, formerly called Ernie Shore Field, now called Wake Forest Baseball Stadium, several years ago. The stadium is located on Deacon Boulevard, adjacent to BB&T Field, home of Wake Forest Football, and Joel Coliseum, the city-of-Winston-Salem-owned home of Wake Forest Men's and Women's Basketball. The former Gene Hooks Field on campus was demolished, as WFU does not have a women's softball team, the actual field at Wake Forest Baseball Stadium, was named Gene Hooks Field.
The stadium opened in April 1981. It was originally named Layton Field. In April 1988 it was renamed after former Wake Forest athletic director Gene Hooks. The stands held 2,500 people. Field dimensions were: Left Field - 335 feet; Left Center Field - ?; Center Field - 400 feet; Right Center Field - 370 feet; Right Field - 315 feet.
The ballpark was part of a complex sitting north of Faculty Drive (home plate / first base side) and a short distance east of Wingate Road (third base side). There were trees beyond right field, and a small practice golf course beyond left and center field. The ballpark sat less than a mile and almost straight west from BB&T Field and Ernie Shore Field.
For the 2009 season, the team moved back on a full-time basis to their previous home, Ernie Shore Field, which was then renamed Gene Hooks Field at Wake Forest Baseball Park.
The old Gene Hooks Stadium has since been demolished to make way for expansion of the golf practice course. The walkway forming the boundary of the southwest portion of the practice course roughly outlines the outer edge of the site of the ball field's grandstand.