One of the most picturesque and unique college baseball facilities in the nation is Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium, which has served as home of the Golden Bear baseball team since 1933. Formerly named Evans Diamond, the stadium was unveiled as Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium on March 13, 2022.
The ballpark carries the name of alumnus/longtime supporter of Cal baseball and 2012 Cal Athletics Hall of Fame Service Award recipient Stu Gordon. At the time of the stadium name change, Gordon had donated $6.3 million in total to Cal baseball, including a $2 million gift that funds an endowment in support of the program. In a long line of philanthropic support, Gordon’s biggest impact arguably came in 2011 when he spearheaded the effort to reinstate the program after it had been a candidate to be eliminated because of budgetary constraints.
Fans enjoyed changes in Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium in 2006, as construction was completed on the Carl J. Van Heuit Training Facility, a new patio area and grass bank was situated along the left field line, plus artwork, sponsored by Truitt and White, now graces the back of Edwards Track Stadium and the Recreational Sports Facility. The Carl J. Van Heuit Training Facility, named after the former Cal football Hall of Famer who was a staunch supporter of the Bears' baseball program, provides the team with indoor batting cages (Jeff Kent Batting Cages), indoor and outdoor bullpens (Stuart Gordon Bullpens), as well as weight training and conditioning equipment.
The graphics on the RSF wall are of former Cal standouts Chuck Hensley, Rod Booker, Lance Blankenship, Jon Zuber, Matt Luke, Bobby Kahlon, Xavier Nady and Conor Jackson. Cal’s retired jersey numbers – Bob Milano (#7), Lance Blankenship (#12), Clint Evans (#13) and George Wolfman (#66) – are displayed past the right field wall.
Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium received a field facelift in the fall of 1992 at a cost of $275,000, which was completely paid for by Cal alums. RNT Landscaping of San Leandro, Calif. completed the renovation of the Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium playing surface, which included leveling the field, installing a new drainage system, replacing both the infield and outfield grass and placing a warning track around the entire field.
Originally part of Edwards Field, named in the memory of Colonel George C. Edwards, Evans Diamond was named after legendary Cal baseball coach Clint Evans, who served as the Bears' head coach from 1930-54, leading the Bears to first-ever College World Series title in 1947.
The playing surface at Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium features natural grass, along with a mixture of clay and crushed cinder infield surface. The outfield measurements at Evans are 320 feet down the lines, 365 to the power alleys and 395 to center field. The seating capacity is 2,500.
Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium is located on the southwest corner of campus, between Edwards/Goldman Field Track Stadium, Haas Pavilion and the Recreational Sports Facility. The easiest access to the field is off Cross Campus Road (Frank Schlessinger Way), which intersects Oxford Avenue near the north end of the track stadium.
