Couch Ballpark

Park Name: Gene Hooks Field at David F. Couch Ballpark

Tenants: 

Wake Forest University Demon Deacons (NCAA Division I- Atlantic Coast Conference)

Carolina Disco Turkeys (Southern Collegiate Baseball League)

Opened: 1956

Address: 401 Deacon Blvd, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105

Dimensions: 325' (L), 401' (C), 325' (R)

Former Names:

Ernie Shore Field (1956-2008)

Gene Hooks Field at Wake Forest Baseball Park (2009-2015)

Former Tenants:

Wake Forest University Demon Deacons (NCAA Division I) 1956-1981

Winston-Salem Twins (Carolina League) 1956

Winston-Salem Red Birds (Carolina League) 1957-1960

Winston-Salem Red Sox (Carolina League) 1961-1983

Winston-Salem Spirits (Carolina League) 1984-1994

Winston-Salem Warthogs (Carolina League) 1995-2008

Winston-Salem Dash (Carolina League) 2009

The view from behind home plate at Couch Ballpark. The field was built in 1956, and was home to Winston-Salem's Carolina League team until a new ballpark was built for the 2010 season.

The view from down the first base line. The Wake Forest football stadium stands behind the grandstand.

The view from down the third base line.

The grandstand at Couch Ballpark. The pressbox is split in two so fans on the concourse can see the view from directly behind home plate.

The seating bowl is carved out of an existing natural hill, so the seats are at a steep angle.

Couch Ballpark was known for 52 years as Ernie Shore Field, named for the former Red Sox pitcher and local baseball supporter.

The fence surrounding the concourse pavilion areas are made from old baseball bats.

Daisuke Matsuzaka warming up before a rehab start with the Salem Red Sox in 2009 at Couch Ballpark.