Melching Field at Conrad park is home to the Stetson Hatters, Deland High School and other regional teams in the area. Melching Field was opened Feb. 12, 1999 and costs 4.5 millions dollars to construct. The first came had a an attendance of 2900 fans almost and the Hatters defeated Louisville in a close game. The stadium was built on the same site as the old Conrad park by Stetson University, City Of Deland and Deland Sports Redevelopment Association. The stadium contains everything from a press box, restrooms, seating for 2,500 possibly up to 3000 on the grassy field area, covered grandstand, two batting cages, dressing rooms, concession stand, trophy cases, and much more. The ball park is lighted and has a warm friendly feel to it. With over 165,000 fans since 1999 this has become one of the most popular college baseball parks in the state of Florida.

The ball park has a $150,000  sound system with a high tech scoreboard in the left field. There is 2 radio booths, 2 VIP viewing rooms, a press area and a broad cast room. There is many state of the art lights that are used in the event of a night baseball game. So the park is full modernized as opposed to most of the college stadiums of the past.

The field was named after R. Dale Melching a member of Stetson class of 1944. He was inducted in the Stetsons Sports Hall of Fame in 1978 as he played varsity baseball and basketball for Stetson. He encouraged athletics to young people and was a team leader when it came to sports at the university. Melching was a star and of course in Conrad Park you will see plaques and photos of him. Alumna Luella Nichols Melching of Coral Gables donated $500,000 in the building of Conrad Park she did this to have the field named in honor of her late husband R. Dale Melching. She was a Hatter cheerleader and supported Stetson sports for many years. The stadium was made out of red brick, stucco facade and green roofing which resembles the Stetson campus. They also took the role in development of Stetson's Wilson Athletic Center which is a $1.6 million dollar facility which was dedicated in Dec. 1997 in the name of Patricia and Pat Wilson of frost proof. 

Then we have another well known person named E.R. Conrad who was also an amazing baseball player in Stetson's history his son I believe Hawtense Conrad helped fun the building of the new ball park and made it possible. Then there is little things like Richard Lee Hopkins a Deland City employee who was the parks grounds keeper from 1973 to 2003 who has a memorial here. So there is much history involved here as one old park with history had a new one built in its place. But as of now this is all the history I have on the ballpark which gives you an idea that even though the ballpark is new the grounds have a past as some baseball players game and went as well as the people who once served here.

I chose to investigate perhaps because I was drawn to this place. At night there is such a peace that looms about it perhaps what makes it eerie is them high green rod iron gates. But the area is very gloomy at night as much trees, bushes, and high walls surround the entire ball park. Often you sit down and you think about over the last century how many people watched a baseball game, played at this stadium or even the old Conrad Park. There is a lot of energy as the years pass perhaps enough energy that manifestations can occur. But perhaps E.R. Conrad or R. Dale Melching enjoyed the game so much and are so honored to be remembered by having a ballpark in there name maybe they stay around just to watch the game. Although our first investigation did not reveal a lot of photos due to the cops interrupting the investigation we will return here someday as there is some level of supernatural activity occurring here. I have been lucky enough twice to be inside Conrad Park once I was on the baseball field and another time was on the bleachers as I snuck in to get some photos for my fans. 

Honestly I am not a big baseball fan more into hockey but as a child I remember my father buying my first baseball bat till this day I still have it and remember how he use to play ball at the park with me. I also remember one time we visited coopers town the baseball hall of fame oh how he loved baseball. So I could see how he loved it and it made me think if you were a ghost where would you be if you loved something? 

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Rick-AngelOfThyNight