About the Marcusen Park Baseball Association
Marcusen Park Baseball Association (MPBA)
Mission
The mission of the Marcusen Park Baseball Association is to restore, maintain and progressively improve Marcusen Baseball Park as a recreational and economic asset for the City of Austin and its surrounding communities.Marcusen Park Baseball Association (MPBA) History
A small group began meeting to discuss the fate of Marcusen Park following hearing increasing rumors that the City was unable to continue to adequately fund the park in the future. The topic of forming a community volunteer group had been discussed during the past few years. We were aware of the success of similar groups in the numerous communities in Minnesota who have taken over ballparks that have faced the same dilemma. We met in small groups initially. Once we formulated a strategy, we reached out for more community members who shared our passion for restoring and maintaining Marcusen, not just to those who understood its benefit to baseball, but to those who also recognized its historic and economic significance to the City. Once our efforts were known, the responses of support throughout the community were overwhelming.
General Information
Marcusen Park has a long and storied past. Constructed in the 1940’s, Marcusen became the home of the original Austin Packers coached by the legendary Emil Scheid. If you look closely, there is a plaque proclaiming it “The House that Scheid Built.” There is also a monument at the base of the flagpole dedicating it to a fine Austin pitcher, Louie Ciola, or all of the great Austin Packer baseball teams put on the field by Austin’s own Dick Seltz from the early 1950’s until 1987. Some of the great athletes who played at Marcusen Park include Moose Skowron, Kent Hrbek, Juan Berenguar, Joe Mauer, Michael Restovich and Austin’s own Mike Wuertz, to name a few.
All of you know you don’t have to be a professional athlete to play baseball at Marcusen Park and feel the crunch of the infield under your cleats or the smell of the summer grass. Every local child deserves to take part in America's favorite pastime at one of Minnesota's finest stadiums. Please remember that it is the dream of every young area ballplayer to play at Marcusen Park. With your help we can make this dream a reality for generations to come.
All of you know you don’t have to be a professional athlete to play baseball at Marcusen Park and feel the crunch of the infield under your cleats or the smell of the summer grass. Every local child deserves to take part in America's favorite pastime at one of Minnesota's finest stadiums. Please remember that it is the dream of every young area ballplayer to play at Marcusen Park. With your help we can make this dream a reality for generations to come.
