Beckley? A baseball destination? Absolutely. And how!

What has transpired at Linda K. Epling Stadium over the past couple of years has been nothing short of amazing.

Since the state-of-the-art facility was christened in 2010, it has hosted baseball for local middle school and high school athletes.

That alone would have been outstanding. Allowing our youth an opportunity to play on a field and in a facility that is modern and allows for their athletic and physical development to prosper like never before, it’s a win for our region.

But it didn’t stop there.The Beckley-based West Virginia Miners, operated by the Epling family, made an immediate splash in the Prospect League. The Miners reached the championship finals in their first year and hosted the league’s All-Star game in its second season. Winning the league championship in 2012 in their third campaign was a tremendous accomplishment.

Talented collegiate players from all over the country come in for a few months each summer to play for the Miners, while providing great, affordable family entertainment in Beckley.