Introduction
Runyon Field Sports Complex is the oldest established ballpark in Pueblo. It started in a modest way with bleachers being moved in 1934 from the old Centennial Field to the former round house site along the railroad tracks. The site was officially established as a ballpark in 1938 and was known then as the “County Park”. The construction of the ballpark was overseen and financed by the Pueblo County Commissioners, although the land was leased on a year-to-year basis and was not owned by the County. Major league players, the House of David’s famous team and former stars made appearances on barnstorming tours at the ballpark. Babe Ruth showed up for a game in 1938. In 1947 the ballpark became the home of the Pueblo Dodgers, the Brooklyn Dodgers Western League farm team.
The County Park was remodeled prior to the start of the 1947 baseball season. The Pueblo Dodgers continued playing in Pueblo until the
Western League folded in 1958.
The field was eventually named for Damon Runyon, the famous playwright, newspaper columnist, and sports reporter. Runyon moved with his family to Pueblo around 1885 when he was five years old. In 1892, at the age of 12, he started as a reporter with the Pueblo Evening Press and
continued covering news stories in Pueblo until 1898. The way the field was named for Damon Runyon is disputed by some of Pueblo’s old
time baseball fans. But the most accepted story is that following the Dodgers inaugural season in 1947, a contest was held to select a new name for the ballpark. Runyon’s name was entered and selected as the name for the ballpark. Runyon had died the year before in 1946. Starting in 1948, newspaper articles report the Pueblo Dodgers games being played at “Runyon Field”.
After the golden post-war era of minor league baseball ended, and the Dodgers departed in 1958, there was a fear that the ballpark would be closed. So local residents and young ballplayers rallied to raise money to save Runyon Field. Pueblo’s Old-timers baseball program stepped in and used the ballpark during the 1960’s.
From the 1960’s to the 1990’s Runyon Field operated as the premier amateur baseball facility outside of the Denver Metropolitan area.
The facility has been used for minor league, collegiate, semi-pro, high school, and youth baseball games over the past 63 years. During the 1980’s a second diamond was added for high school games and a third diamond was added for the “Bambino” league.
The park was also home to Southern Colorado State College and the University of Southern Colorado from the mid-1970’s until the program was
dropped in 1985
From 1985 through 1993 the University of Southern Colorado did not have a collegiate baseball program. This led to a stronger emphasis of improving the facility to serve the high school age and younger baseball programs. In 1989, Pueblo County received $50,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (FY 1989) to assist in the purchasing the 14.3 acres of land containing the Runyon Field Sports Complex and the first
phase of a facility improvement plan. The Phase 1 improvements were the upgrading of restrooms with handicap fixtures, a 1,000 foot concrete trail connecting to the adjacent Runyon Lake State Wildlife Area, and formalizing the parking area, all of which were completed by the end of 1990. In 1994 the baseball program was reinstated at the University of Southern Colorado and the Robert Rawlings Sports Complex was developed on the campus of the University of Southern Colorado. The addition of the Rawlings Sports Complex further solidified Runyon
Field as the regional youth baseball facility. The majority of the collegiate and semi-pro games are now played at Rawlings Field, However, the need exists for a multi-field site for major tournaments.
The Runyon Field Sports Complex continues to serve as the regional baseball facility for high school and the youth baseball programs. The facility was also used in the fall for youth bantam football games. The facility serves as a training facility in
the fall for youth baseball. It has also served as a temporary home away from home for junior colleges and college programs that need to get games in during the February months but the mother nature does not cooperate at their home sites.
The second phase of improvements were completed between 1992-1997 that included a fourth lighted ball field for the 14 and under age group, scoreboard, press box, the installation of turf, trees, automatic irrigation system, bicycle racks, picnic tables, an entry courtyard, and barbecue grills. In 1999–2000 a new building was constructed that includes locker rooms and the future location of the Pueblo Baseball Museum. In addition the open area between the fields has been landscaped and a playground structure added. In 2009, the third phase of facility improvements included the construction of the light new 12 and under ball field named after Mr. Max Salas and the addition of
the new concession stand and restroom complex immediately north of the Hobbs field.
Since the establishment of Runyon Field Sports Complex, Pueblo County and community sports groups have provided approximately $5 million dollars of improvements. These improvements have established four lighted baseball diamonds with scoreboards and press boxes, grandstands and portable bleachers, a concession facility, warm-up and bullpen areas, restrooms, and offices.
In 1993 the Runyon Sports Complex Commission was established to operate the ballpark, recommend facility improvements, and assisted Pueblo County in funding these improvements. The Runyon Sports Complex Commission is a nonprofit corporation with a 14-member
Board that is appointed by the Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners.
Runyon Field Sports Complex is the oldest established ballpark in Pueblo. It started in a modest way with bleachers being moved in 1934 from the old Centennial Field to the former round house site along the railroad tracks. The site was officially established as a ballpark in 1938 and was known then as the “County Park”. The construction of the ballpark was overseen and financed by the Pueblo County Commissioners, although the land was leased on a year-to-year basis and was not owned by the County. Major league players, the House of David’s famous team and former stars made appearances on barnstorming tours at the ballpark. Babe Ruth showed up for a game in 1938. In 1947 the ballpark became the home of the Pueblo Dodgers, the Brooklyn Dodgers Western League farm team.
The County Park was remodeled prior to the start of the 1947 baseball season. The Pueblo Dodgers continued playing in Pueblo until the
Western League folded in 1958.
The field was eventually named for Damon Runyon, the famous playwright, newspaper columnist, and sports reporter. Runyon moved with his family to Pueblo around 1885 when he was five years old. In 1892, at the age of 12, he started as a reporter with the Pueblo Evening Press and
continued covering news stories in Pueblo until 1898. The way the field was named for Damon Runyon is disputed by some of Pueblo’s old
time baseball fans. But the most accepted story is that following the Dodgers inaugural season in 1947, a contest was held to select a new name for the ballpark. Runyon’s name was entered and selected as the name for the ballpark. Runyon had died the year before in 1946. Starting in 1948, newspaper articles report the Pueblo Dodgers games being played at “Runyon Field”.
After the golden post-war era of minor league baseball ended, and the Dodgers departed in 1958, there was a fear that the ballpark would be closed. So local residents and young ballplayers rallied to raise money to save Runyon Field. Pueblo’s Old-timers baseball program stepped in and used the ballpark during the 1960’s.
From the 1960’s to the 1990’s Runyon Field operated as the premier amateur baseball facility outside of the Denver Metropolitan area.
The facility has been used for minor league, collegiate, semi-pro, high school, and youth baseball games over the past 63 years. During the 1980’s a second diamond was added for high school games and a third diamond was added for the “Bambino” league.
The park was also home to Southern Colorado State College and the University of Southern Colorado from the mid-1970’s until the program was
dropped in 1985
From 1985 through 1993 the University of Southern Colorado did not have a collegiate baseball program. This led to a stronger emphasis of improving the facility to serve the high school age and younger baseball programs. In 1989, Pueblo County received $50,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (FY 1989) to assist in the purchasing the 14.3 acres of land containing the Runyon Field Sports Complex and the first
phase of a facility improvement plan. The Phase 1 improvements were the upgrading of restrooms with handicap fixtures, a 1,000 foot concrete trail connecting to the adjacent Runyon Lake State Wildlife Area, and formalizing the parking area, all of which were completed by the end of 1990. In 1994 the baseball program was reinstated at the University of Southern Colorado and the Robert Rawlings Sports Complex was developed on the campus of the University of Southern Colorado. The addition of the Rawlings Sports Complex further solidified Runyon
Field as the regional youth baseball facility. The majority of the collegiate and semi-pro games are now played at Rawlings Field, However, the need exists for a multi-field site for major tournaments.
The Runyon Field Sports Complex continues to serve as the regional baseball facility for high school and the youth baseball programs. The facility was also used in the fall for youth bantam football games. The facility serves as a training facility in
the fall for youth baseball. It has also served as a temporary home away from home for junior colleges and college programs that need to get games in during the February months but the mother nature does not cooperate at their home sites.
The second phase of improvements were completed between 1992-1997 that included a fourth lighted ball field for the 14 and under age group, scoreboard, press box, the installation of turf, trees, automatic irrigation system, bicycle racks, picnic tables, an entry courtyard, and barbecue grills. In 1999–2000 a new building was constructed that includes locker rooms and the future location of the Pueblo Baseball Museum. In addition the open area between the fields has been landscaped and a playground structure added. In 2009, the third phase of facility improvements included the construction of the light new 12 and under ball field named after Mr. Max Salas and the addition of
the new concession stand and restroom complex immediately north of the Hobbs field.
Since the establishment of Runyon Field Sports Complex, Pueblo County and community sports groups have provided approximately $5 million dollars of improvements. These improvements have established four lighted baseball diamonds with scoreboards and press boxes, grandstands and portable bleachers, a concession facility, warm-up and bullpen areas, restrooms, and offices.
In 1993 the Runyon Sports Complex Commission was established to operate the ballpark, recommend facility improvements, and assisted Pueblo County in funding these improvements. The Runyon Sports Complex Commission is a nonprofit corporation with a 14-member
Board that is appointed by the Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners.