The Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame at River’s Edge

Summertime has a different meaning to baseball fans. The smell of a freshly mowed grass field. The heat of the sun warming the stadium seats. The comradery that joins fans as they cheer on their team.

If these are things that excite you, did you know that we permanently host the Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame Museum at River’s Edge Convention Center?

We take great pride in our museum that commemorates and celebrates Minnesota’s long-lasting history of baseball. Our museum holds an assortment of artifacts collected throughout the state’s baseball history: uniforms, balls, gloves, caps, bats, photos, game day programs, and much more. We feature baseball teams at all levels, including minor league, college, high school, American Legion, VFW, amateur, town-team, and Major League players born in Minnesota.

The St. Cloud Times reports on one excerpt from our archives that you may find interesting: the Municipal Stadium which was right here in St. Cloud.

What is now a strip mall on Division Street was the home of the St. Cloud Rox just over 45 years ago. Municipal Stadium, as it was called in its heyday, was the place to be on any given game day. The stadium sported 60 pro home games in the summer, plus local amateur, college, and high school baseball teams in the off season.

Creating the stadium was a labor of love spearheaded by volunteer group Sports Incorporated. They gave their time and resources to drive the building of this concrete temple to baseball on what used to be a bare field. At the time of its completion, the community and local media were abuzz, praising its excellence.

"The new stadium is a modern, concrete structure," Dick Cullum wrote for the Minneapolis Tribune. "Which is regarded as one of the best to be found in a Class C league."

Robert Statz, the oldest son of the runner for the announcer and scorekeeper of the St. Cloud Rox, looks back on fond memories of Municipal Stadium, where he assisted the team back in the 60s.

"What I remember most is that it was one of the higher places in town then,” Statz recalls. “And you could stand up there on a hot night and see the whole city. It was really something to behold."

This stadium came to a crushing end in 1970 as it was demolished, but it’s legacy lives on in the community. Local baseball enthusiasts keep the history and memories of this place alive through visiting our collections and reminiscing on the highlights of baseball in Stearns County and in the state of Minnesota.

The Rox continue to thrive as a minor-league team here in St. Cloud. Their season opens May 29th with the first home opener on June 1st. Grab some tickets for this season on their website.

Not sure what to do on an away game day? Stop by our museum! Admission is free when you visit Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm. If you can’t make it on a weekday, call our Administration Office at 320-255-7272 to check our hours on any given weekend.

Navigating The Event: Getting To Know River’s Edge Convention Center Layout

If you are new to River’s Edge Convention Center, our large facility can be daunting. However, once you understand our building's layout, the organization and flow, as well as the convenient access to parking, hotels, and restaurants, you will be able to navigate the event you are attending with ease.

Here is an overview of what to expect when you visit River’s Edge Convention Center.

Large Meeting Spaces

There are four halls, with twenty four foot ceiling height, offering multiple convention options. These can be configured into 60,000 square feet of continuous space if necessary, depending on the size of the event.

Immediately upon entering the main lobby, you will see the Terry Haws Centers A and B. Following east around the granite stairwell will be Terry Haws C. Off on its own at the opposite end of the building is Glenn Carlson Hall. Each area of large meeting space has its own catering kitchen and multiple sets of bathrooms.

Smaller Spaces For Meetings and Receptions

The River’s Edge Convention Center offers multiple smaller suites that have flexible walls to accommodate everything from business meetings to holiday parties.

The Herberger Suite on the second floor is a popular choice for wedding receptions as the space has wall to wall windows overlooking the Mississippi River. This suite can be broken into five smaller sections when desired. Also on the second floor are the Wilson and Stockinger Suites giving a multitude of options for event size and accommodations. The Opportunities Suite on the first floor east of the Glenn Carlson Hall is perfect for thirty to one hundred and eighty people.

Unique Sights

A few unique features should land on your to-do list when visiting the convention center for the first time. Walking towards the river on the first floor, you will come to Riverview Commons. A large and comfortable lobby awaits with stunning views of the Mississippi River. There is also a beautiful balcony and patio area you can go outside to enjoy some fresh air.

On the second floor, do not miss the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in the Mezzanine hallway area. If you love baseball, you will enjoy looking back at the history of America's favorite pastime and it is free to visit.

Click to access black and white blueprints of River’s Edge Convention Center's layout for you to print and have on hand. We are excited to see you and hope you enjoy our facility!

Let's Play Ball!

Minnesota loves baseball.

In 1963 St. Cloud Sports, Inc. established the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame under the leadership of long-time civic leader Glenn Carlson. By August 14^th, 1986 it was incorporated under the non-profit laws of Minnesota and in 1992, a ribbon cutting ceremony opened the new museum with over 700 baseball fans in attendance.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to honor those who have dedicated their lives to amateur baseball. It is also used to encourage the development of the sport and serve as a place for historical materials, such as; photos, equipment, trophies, plaques and other educational material.

The Hall of Fame honors town-team baseball, minor league, college, high school, American Legion and VFW teams. Since the Hall of Fame was founded, 265 men from 140 Minnesota communities have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. An average of four to six new members are added each year.

The Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame is located on the second floor of the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center facing the beautiful Mississippi River. The collection put on display is only the tip of the iceberg. There is an archive room that houses many items that have not been put on display yet.

The Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame is open to the public and admission is FREE! Click here to view the Hall of Fame hours.