The recently renovated Luther Williams Field hosted a sold-out crowd of more than 3,200 people at Macon Bacon’s inaugural opening day game on June 1.
Organization president Todd Pund said Macon is perfect for the sport. “Macon has a terrific history of supporting baseball dating way back to 1929 when Luther Williams Field was constructed,” he said. “With our brand of entertainment, people have been crazy not only about baseball, but the overall experience.”
Baseball has been a part of Macon’s fabric for nearly 100 years. Some of the country’s most celebrated ball players ran bases at Luther Williams, including Pete Rose, Tony Perez, Chipper Jones and Vince Coleman.
The stadium, famous for its historic architecture, has been featured in several movies and has hosted teams such as The Macon Peaches, The Macon Redbirds, The Macon Dodgers and the Macon Braves, which left Macon-Bibb County in 2002.
In early 2017, Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert announced plans to bring baseball back to Macon after the owners of the Savannah Bananas expressed interest in building a summer collegiate team here. Like the Savannah Bananas, Macon Bacon is a member of the Coastal Plain League – one of the top summer leagues in the country.
More than 1,500 people suggested names for the new team, with Macon Bacon beating out Macon Heat, Macon Hits and Macon Noise. But it takes more than just a catchy name to play ball.
Thanks to a $2.5 million SPLOST tax, Luther Williams Field got some major renovations, including a new ticket stand, group areas and sound systems along with additional concessions stands, refurbished restrooms and more.
During any given game, the Macon Bacon employs between 120-130 people. While it’s too early to know how the team will impact Macon-Bibb economically, Pund believes baseball will motivate Georgians near and far to spend money locally. “We believe the Macon Bacon provides another reason for people to come down to a vibrant downtown,” he said. “We hope they are visiting the businesses and spending money there.”
Pund said he knows Macon is ready for baseball in legendary Luther Williams. “Baseball has brought people together forever,” he said. “Having some summer activity at Luther Williams Field has shown the community was looking for entertainment and is excited that Luther Williams Field received the renovation that it did. People love this field and what it means to them.”
