Jackson leaders say the Legacy League could bring tourism, player development and renewed attention to Smith-Wills Stadium as the new summer baseball venture prepares for its inaugural season.
The developmental baseball league, led by longtime minor league executive Tim Bennett, has begun holding workouts and development sessions at Smith-Wills Stadium ahead of its planned launch.
The Legacy League was first announced in 2024 before its inaugural season was delayed amid uncertainty surrounding the stadium property and legal disputes involving control of Smith-Wills. The league formally relaunched earlier this year with support from the City of Jackson and Visit Jackson.
The league was initially expected to begin Thursday, May 27, but Bennett said officials instead opted to spend several additional days holding development sessions and instructional workouts before opening the regular season Monday, June 1. The league plans to play games on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through July 4.
Bennett said former Major League catcher Lenny Webster is also being brought in to work with catchers who recently joined the league.
“We feel like we want to get some time with them to make sure they get some time with a major leaguer,” Bennett said.
Organizers have described the league as a developmental summer baseball league featuring college players and select high school seniors. Former professional athletes, including former MLB stars and other high-profile sports figures, have also been connected to ownership or partnership roles with teams in the league.
“It’s a combination of economic development, tourism and player development,” Bennett told the Clarion Ledger.
Bennett said players have already started traveling into the Jackson metro area as the league gets underway. He also said he hopes the involvement of former professional athletes can eventually help strengthen ties with communities throughout the metro area, including Madison, Ridgeland, Flowood, Brandon and others involved in the league.
Jackson Mayor John Horhn said the hope is the league will help attract visitors to the capital city while also creating opportunities for young athletes.
“There’s a lot of athletic talent in Jackson in this region,” Horhn said. “We’re hoping that the Legacy League will attract a bunch of tourists and a lot of baseball enthusiasts that come to the capital city and enjoy a good game of baseball.”
Horhn also said the league could help players build skills beyond baseball.
“Maybe these young men and maybe some young women will go on to bigger and better things in their careers,” Horhn said. “But they’ll be learning things like teamwork and working together and setting goals and having an opportunity to demonstrate their talent.”
Charlie Drape is the Jackson beat reporter. You can contact him at cdrape@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Legacy League aims to bring tourism, baseball back to Jackson
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