Baseburg

 

 

 

 

  

Baseball is universally loved in America. It’s the nation’s pastime, right? Well, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, we love baseball so much that it's not just a sport. It's an obsession... so much so that we call the city BASEBURG.  

 

 

 

HATTIESBURG IS A CATCH

 

Yeah, BASEBURG is a catchy name, but what’s even more impressive? Hattiesburg’s baseball-related stats. Some recent home runs include:   

  • In 2022, Hattiesburg and the Golden Eagles hosted the Sun Belt Conference Championships, NCAA Regional Tournament, and NCAA Super Regional Tournament.
  • In 2023, Hattiesburg was one of only two cities to host back-to-back Super Regional Tournaments when the series returned in 2023.
  • Hattiesburg is home to the 2023 Sun Belt champs — The University of Southern Miss Golden Eagles.
  • Being a two-college town equals being a part of two conferences. Hattiesburg also hosted the opening round of the 2023 NAIA’s baseball postseason thanks to William Carey University, who ranked fourth in the nation. In 2023, the William Carey Crusaders baseball team earned best conference honors for the NAIA's Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. For the fourth time in school history, the Crusaders also earned their way to the NAIA World Series in Idaho. Topping off a 2023 stellar season, William Carey Head Baseball Coach Bobby Halford reached 1,300 wins, the most of any coach in the history of baseball in Mississippi.
  • The city hosted the 2023 DYB World Series, welcoming 22 teams from across 12 states for five days.
  • Most recently, Hattiesburg was selected to host the 2025 DB World Series.
  • Baseball, in particular, has always been an important part of the Hattiesburg community. In addition to collegiate and semi-professional teams, recreational baseball has enhanced a sense of community spirit and united our citizens through the friendly nature of the sport. There are more than 25 baseball fields found in Greater Hattiesburg, including world-class arenas at The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University.
     

 

Our love of the diamond is not the only reason Hattiesburg is a grand slam experience though.

 

Hattiesburg blends culture, art, food, and history, making it a modern Southern destination. Known as the place where the roots of Rock 'N Roll hit the ground running, and site to one of the most significant movements in U.S. history, the city is home to the East Sixth Street Museum District and the 1964 Freedom Summer Trail, which highlights HBURG’s role in the civil rights era. A year-round outdoor destination, HBURG has an abundance of recreational activities, like the Longleaf Trace Rails-to-Trails project and Pinebelt Blueways. With nearly 200 locally-owned eateries, vibrant public art, and boutique shops, the Hub City is full of authentic experiences that locals love. 

 

Ready to experience Baseburg? Here is our starting lineup of attractions and restaurants you can enjoy while visiting.

 

Restaurants:

 

Attractions:

  

HBURG ALL STARS IN BASEBURG VIDEO:

  • Scott Berry, Shipley's Do-Nuts Server – Southern Miss Baseball Head Coach (2010-23)
  • Hunter Haynes, Shipley's Do-Nuts Customer – Played for the Kansas City Royals Minor League teams (2012-16), Southern Miss Kinesiology Instructor
  • Trenton Griffin, Ed's Burger Joint Kid – age 10
  • Ben Jones, Ed's Burger Joint Announcer – Account Director for Rare Design, Baseball super fan
  • Trae Griffin, Ed's Burger Joint Father – DJ Trazy
  • Jeffrey George, The Lucky Rabbit Husband – Hattiesburg Councilman, Southern Miss Baseball super fan
  • Kimber George, The Lucky Rabbit Wife – Student Advancement Administrator at Southern Miss
  • Christian Ostrander, The Lucky Rabbit Coach – Southern Miss Baseball Head Coach (2023-)
  • Brandon Thaxton, The Lucky Rabbit Cashier – Owner of The Lucky Rabbit
  • Brian Dozier, The Keg & Barrel Customer #1 – Former Southern Miss Baseball player (06-09), College World Series Winner (09), played in the MLB for Twins (2012-18), Dodgers (2018), Nationals (2019), and Mets (2020), All-Star (2015), World Series Champion 2019 (Nationals), Gold Glove Award (2017), and now resides in Hattiesburg
  • Levi Thompson, The Keg & Barrel Kid with Glove – age 13, 2023 DYB World Series Champion team member 
  • Chris Kirtland, The Keg & Barrel Customer #2 – Previously head baseball coach at Jones College (2016-21)  
  • Shawn McDaniel, The Keg & Barrel Bartender – Named “Best Bartender of the Pinebelt” three times, Beverage Director at both the Keg & Barrel Downtown and West, Eagle Club and Dugout Club supporter, and lifelong Oakland A’s fan
  • Andrea Kostyal, Artist at "Essence of Happiness" Mural – unveiled Oct. 27, 2023. Kostyal is a Hattiesburg artist who is from Hungary.
  • Toby Barker, Mayor of Hattiesburg – Lifelong Atlanta Braves fan, Southern Miss Baseball super fan
  • John Cox, Voiceover – Voice of the Golden Eagles (1979-)

 

Special thanks to Sue, Danny, Drew, Laurel, Robert, John R., Jared, Ashley, Trinity, Abby, Dianna, John N., Brittany, Betsy, and Jack for all the support behind the scenes.