Once upon a time, Bannerwood Park was the center of the baseball universe on the Eastside.

The towering stadium seating behind home plate, the field level press box and of course, the immaculately kept natural grass infield provided a one-way trip to the closest thing (outside the Safeco Field walls) we have to baseball heaven.

But in an age where every high school has an on-campus ballpark, the old concrete marvel was left quiet during the spring months before the American Legion circuit started during the summer months.

Not unlike Bannerwood, Seattle University also had a void to fill in the spring.

After clipping the baseball program in the mid-1980s and transitioning the entire athletic department to NAIA, the Redhawks were reborn on the diamond in 2010 under former University of Washington and Oregon State assistant coach Donny Harrel. But without a serviceable stadium that met NCAA guidelines anywhere to be found in Seattle, Seattle U decided to look across the lake.

“It’s been a great relationship,” Bellevue Parks Department official John Wilson said. “We’ve had upgrades to the facility that have helped everyone.”

Many of the improvements Bannerwood has seen in recent years, including improved drainage and new lights, were already planned through the Parks Department before Seattle U took up residence. But other changes, such as the dugout renovations and relocation of the bullpens out of the field of play, were prompted primarily by the Redhawks.

Harrel has several Eastside natives and Bellevue College transfers on his squad and said many have played at Bannerwood throughout their youth and prep careers.

“It’s nice that the kids we’ve been able to sign who are from the area play a lot of games here,” Harrel said before his team’s series finale against St. Joseph’s. “They really feel like it’s their home park and that has been a great bonus for us.”

Just as the park and Redhawks mirrored one another in their need for partner, they have continued to grow together in the year’s since.

Harrel’s group won only 11 games in its first year before doubling that total last season after gaining a stronger foothold in recruiting. The goal this season is 30 wins as the program prepares for full Division I eligibility in 2013 as a member of the WAC and gains eligibility for postseason play.

The next step is becoming a household name on the collegiate baseball scene and eventually a regular in the NCAA tournament.

In the meantime, at least we have our little slice of baseball heaven.

For the love of the game is a reporter column written by sports reporter Josh Suman. Call Josh at 425-453-5045 or email at jsuman@bellevuereporter.com