The story begins on a summer day in 1946. Herbert Kokernot JR, owner of the O6 one of the largest cattle ranches in Brewster County, agreed to take over the management of the Cats, Alpine’s semipro baseball team. Kokernot had played for the Alpine Independents, he had been a hard-throwing infielder and a .300 hitter, baseball was in his blood. In a short time, he purchased the team.
In 1947, Herbert constructed THE KOKERNOT STADIUM for his semi-professional baseball team. Kokernot wanted to replicate his new field after Wrigley Field in Chicago. Materials from his ranch were used to add a personal touch. Red clay from Georgia was hauled in by boxcars. Native stone quarried from The Kokernot Ranch were used to construct the outfield wall and grandstands.
The Kokernot Ranch “06” brand can be seen throughout the stadium along with intri can be seen throughout the stadium along with intricate ironwork of baseballs. The field has been called “The Best Little Ballpark in Texas (or Anywhere Else)” by Sports Illustrated[1] and the “Yankee Stadium of Texas” by Texas Monthly magazine.
On Opening Day, the Cowboys defeated the Carlsbad (N. Mex.) Miners.
The stadium was built to seat 1,400 people. In 1951 an estimated 6,000 attended an exhibition featuring Satchel Paige‘s St. Louis Browns versus the Chicago White Sox
The stadium became the home of Alpine Cowboys and the Sol Ross University Lobos – note: first NAIA World Series, in 1957.
Kokernot developed a nationwide association of contacts who informed him of talent. In 1955, a Milwaukee Braves scout contacted Cowboy manager Tom Chandler and told him about a North Carolina farm boy who could throw hard but needed playing experience. “Gil, responded “we have the finest college players in the country playing for us here, and you’re asking us to pitch a high school boy? “The scout said The Braves would pay his way down if he would take a look. Finally, an awkward gangly righthander named Gaylord Perry arrived in Alpine When Perry went on the mound everyone realized he was a true diamond in the rough. After one season in Alpine. Perry played his way through the minors and eventually had a record 314 major league victories before he retired in 1983. After taking the mound in 777 major league games Gaylord Perry was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991
Lighting was installed in 1958. Ownership of the field was turned over to the Alpine Independent School District in 1968 after Sul Ross State University discontinued their baseball program and semi-professional play ended in Alpine after the 1961 season. Sul Ross’ baseball program was revived in 1983, and a new independent league professional team was formed in 2009. The field is currently home to the Sul Ross State University Lobos and the Alpine Cowboys of the Pecos League