Mocksville 2020 NC3 American League team.
From the crack of a bat to the roar of the crowd to the smell of fresh popcorn, there’s something about an evening spent watching baseball at Mando Field at Rich Park.
This summer, Mocksville’s own “Field of Dreams” will feature Mocksville-Davie American Legion Baseball junior and senior teams as well as the Mocksville Muscadines, a summer collegiate team that is part of North Carolina’s Old North State League.
Mocksville’s Boys of Summer will play home games three nights in a row beginning tonight, June 17th, at 7 p.m. It will be a double-header on Tuesday, June 22nd as Junior Legion Blue and White teams play at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The muscadines will play their next home game at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 21st, against the Lenior Legends.
For the complete summer schedules check these links:
Mocksville-Davie American Legion Schedules
Photo Credit: Jessica White Huyett
Davie County has a rich baseball history. Since the 1940s, thousands of games have been played at Rich Park. Hundreds of young men have played baseball in Mocksville. Many have gone on to play in college and some professionally.
“Baseball has meant a great deal to the community and to the boys who have played,” said Sonny Kurfees, who has been there to witness both the victories and the defeats for the past 38 years, 35 as the general manager for Mocksville-Davie American Legion Baseball.
“It has been a big thing for people to have somewhere to go for entertainment in the Town of Mocksville, especially the senior citizens. They came by the droves years ago.”
Renamed Mando Field after Mayor D.J. “Nick” Mando, who was instrumental in getting improvements done at the Park in the late 80s and early 90s, the field is owned by the Town of Mocksville which manages the day-to-day maintenance such as mowing, dragging the field, filling in holes, edging the baselines, and irrigating when it is hot and dry. Teams pay to have the field readied.
Rustin Harpe, director of Mocksville’s Parks and Grounds Department, takes pride in the field and considers it a wonderful asset to the community. “It’s nice having people reach out to us wanting to play. There aren’t enough ballfields to play on, and this is one of the few out there available to rent.”
Click here or call Mocksville Town Hall at (336) 753-6700 to rent the field.
During the year, the field is used by Carolina University, the Forsyth Home Educators, and the Davie Youth Complex’s weekend travel ball team. It was the home field for Mocksville High School and then Davie County High School until the new high school was built in Farmington a few years ago.
Money received from field rentals and ticket sales supports the teams and goes toward field maintenance and upgrades. The field also receives support from Mocksville Davie Youth Baseball Association, American Legion Post 174, and interested individuals who just love baseball in general and Davie County baseball.
A new scoreboard, lights, ticket booth, and outfield fence were installed in the last few years. Improvements were also made to the surface of the field to improve play. Future plans include new dugouts, a new backstop, a new entrance, and indoor batting cages.
It’s a great place to come and enjoy baseball. Every town needs to have a baseball team, and Mocksville has been fortunate to have American Legion ball here since 1946 or 1947. I hope it keeps going,” said Kurfees.
This year’s summer season has begun. Bring your chair or grab a seat in the stands, get a couple of the best hot dogs you’ll ever eat, sit back and enjoy a great Davie County tradition – baseball at Rich Park, our very own Field of Dreams.