Athletics Announces Partnership With Middlesex County For Future Home Baseball Venue
As part of Middlesex County's Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan, Middlesex County and Rutgers Athletics have entered into a letter of intent, solidifying a partnership with the Scarlet Knight baseball program, spanning three to five years. This collaboration will designate the future Multipurpose Community Venue located on Middlesex College's campus as a home field for Rutgers baseball, beginning with the 2026 season.
This partnership between Middlesex County and Rutgers Athletics is also intended to create new educational pathways for Middlesex College students. As the largest feeder college to Rutgers University, this arrangement will create enhanced access to Rutgers' esteemed curricula, invaluable mentorship opportunities, and the potential for expanded shared educational programming.
The announcement was made during a press conference on Monday, July 31 at the West Hall in Middlesex College. Sharing the significance and long-term plans involving this partnership, speakers included Board of County Commissioners Director Ronald G. Rios; Middlesex County Administrator John Pulomena; Township of Edison Mayor Sam Joshi; Rutgers athletic director Pat Hobbs; head baseball coach Steve Owens; Rutgers and Major League Baseball alum Todd Frazier; and Middlesex College President Mark McCormick.
"Our deep relationship with Rutgers University continues to grow and strengthen with this new partnership with Rutgers Athletics," said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. "The County's strong fiscal position, coupled with the opportunity of significant State and Federal investment in the CIO Strategic Investment Plan, gives us the advantage to seize crucial opportunities like this for the benefit of our residents and partners like Rutgers University. This is just the beginning of many more transformative and innovative changes at Middlesex College and in our County."
In addition to welcoming Rutgers Athletics as the newest partner to the County's CIO Strategic Investment Plan, County officials also highlighted substantial enhancements to the Multipurpose Community Venue. The state-of-the-art venue will boast dedicated Rutgers amenities, including well-equipped locker rooms, air-conditioned batting and pitching tunnels, and top-tier broadcast streaming capabilities suitable for networks like the Big Ten Network, ESPN, and other national and regional broadcasters. These enhancements will not only provide support to Rutgers baseball and meet the athletic standards of NCAA and the Big Ten, but also position Middlesex County and its College as a premier destination for sports and recreation in New Jersey and the region.
"We are delighted to partner with Middlesex County to bring Big Ten baseball to this fantastic new facility," said Rutgers Athletic Director Pat Hobbs. "Steve Owens and his staff have done a tremendous job developing the players in our baseball program both on and off the field. This new chapter with Middlesex County will only help Coach Owens and his team continue their pursuit of Big Ten championships and more. We will continue to explore other ways we can partner with the County, but this is a great first step. I want to thank everyone at the county, state and university level who made this opportunity possible."
"Thank you to Middlesex County for the invitation to play games at a beautiful new stadium facility. This move will continue to grow our program's fan base across the state and provide an incredible venue with all the amenities currently available at the power-five level," said Rutgers Baseball Head Coach Steve Owens. "This is 100 percent a win for the state of New Jersey, Middlesex County and Rutgers Baseball!"
The new multipurpose venue will be in Edison – roughly 15 minutes from the team's facility on Livingston campus – and will serve as the home venue for select series and games for the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers will continue to utilize Bainton Field and its on-campus facilities at Jersey Mike's Arena, and the new multipurpose venue will have no effect on planned upgrades to Bainton Field and on-campus facilities for the baseball program.
"The CIO Strategic Investment Plan spearheaded by Middlesex County will transform our campus with new facilities and strengthened partnerships that will beckon a new era of growth for our College," said Middlesex College President Mark McCormick. "As elements of the CIO Strategic Investment Plan begin to take shape all around us – with the partnership with Rutgers Athletics being a key component – we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Middlesex County, the Board of County Commissioners and future partners."
"It is an honor to join the County Commissioners in announcing this exciting and forward-thinking partnership, which is the latest significant development in our collective ongoing efforts to move Edison forward for our families and our future," said Township of Edison Mayor Sam Joshi.
To learn more about the CIO Strategic Investment Plan, please visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/cioplan.