The College Baseball Foundation and Visit Overland Park have announced that the College Baseball Hall of Fame will establish its inaugural physical location within the Museum at Prairiefire in Overland Park, Kansas.
The planned venue would open in late 2025. The College Baseball Foundation earlier announced it will bring its annual recognition of college baseball’s top athletes — the Night of Champions — to Overland Park in February 2024.
Established in 2004 by the College Baseball Foundation, the College Baseball Hall of Fame celebrates accomplishments in college baseball history. The institution honors individuals including players, coaches, umpires and administrators who have made contributions to college baseball history at the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA levels.
“This visionary endeavor goes beyond Visit Overland Park and the College Baseball Foundation; it seeks to etch a lasting legacy for our entire community,” said Warren Wilkinson, president and chief executive officer, Visit Overland Park. “The Hall of Fame is set to become a pivotal cornerstone in Overland Park’s cultural tapestry, creating a timeless connection between residents, visitors and the cherished legacy of college baseball.”
The College Baseball Foundation and Visit Overland Park are planning to extend the reach of the Hall of Fame to the local community by launching educational initiatives tied to the sport including K-12 STEM programming and creating an interactive exhibit experience.
“The sport is our national pastime, and we can’t wait to bring the stories of the college game to life in Overland Park,” said Craig Ramsey, chair of the College Baseball Foundation Board. “The stories of thousands who have had the privilege to be part of the game and the impact they have had on their teams, their schools, their families and their communities will be a tremendous draw. Prairiefire is the perfect home for visitors and fans to experience the game’s greatest legacies.”