Tom Flynn
Max Bishop Stadium in Annapolis sits as unobtrusively on the banks of the Severn River as its namesake once did in the middle of a powerful Philadelphia A’s lineup.
Named after the former Navy coach and longtime A’s and (minor league) Orioles’ great, the stadium hosts the Navy Midshipmen baseball team and is undoubtedly the region’s best option for taking in an early spring ballgame.
Officially Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium, the park boasts features typically seen at a minor league venue (except for the cost—admission to Navy games is free).
The FieldTurf playing surface was added as part of a series of renovations begun in 2005 and features clay-colored turf base paths and a large “NAVY” emblazoned on the field behind home plate. An updated brick façade and asymmetrical dimensions in the outfield are reminiscent of the hundreds of parks built during the stadium craze of the 1920s.
Head coach Paul Kostacopoulos has assembled a Mid-Atlantic power during his tenure. The Mids have won 30 or more games in four of his first five seasons at the Naval Academy. In 2010, the club finished 30-21 but missed the Patriot League playoffs; they’ll look to return this year.
The Patriot League is a six-team circuit that includes archrival Army; the league’s postseason champion earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
This year, the Mids’ roster will include three players from Maryland, including junior Andrew Hahn (Loyola Blakefield), freshman Greg Bryant (Calvert Hall), and sophomore Stephen Geiss (Calvert Hall).
Navy opened their 2011 regular season with seven scheduled road games in February ahead of a home opener against rival Coppin State in early March. Visitors to Annapolis this year include Yale, Georgetown, and Princeton.
For the 2011 schedule and general game information, visit www.navysports.com.
