When Jimmy John’s Field (now UVM Field) opened in Utica, Michigan in 2016, it represented far more than a new ballpark. It was the realization of a bold vision centered on community revitalization, affordable family entertainment, and the power of sports to transform overlooked spaces into civic destinations.
Recently, the venue entered a new chapter under its new identity, UWM Field, following a long-term naming rights partnership between the USPBL and United Wholesale Mortgage. Yet while the name on the marquee has changed, the impact of the project remains deeply rooted in the original vision that shaped the ballpark from day one.
Pendulum was proud to play a role in the development and design strategy behind one of the most unique baseball experiences in independent professional sports. Located in downtown Utica along the M-59 corridor, the ballpark was intentionally designed as more than a sports venue. It became an entertainment anchor for the region and a catalyst for economic activity within the community. The site itself carried symbolic importance, transforming a long-vacant brownfield and former landfill into an active civic gathering place that now welcomes millions of visitors.
The Home Team Always Wins!
From the beginning, UWM Field embodied many of the principles that continue to define Pendulum’s work today: experiential design, operational flexibility, fan-centered programming, and community integration. The venue combined professional baseball with social gathering spaces, premium hospitality experiences, entertainment zones, family amenities, and multi-purpose event capabilities that helped redefine expectations for independent league facilities.
Perhaps most importantly, the facility became a living example of economic sustainability through intelligent operational design (S.C.O.R.E.). UVM Field was developed around a unique model in which four teams within a single professional league operate out of one shared facility. That approach maximized operational efficiency, concentrated attendance and revenue opportunities, reduced overhead, and created a consistent calendar of activity that continuously activated the venue and surrounding district. Years later, the success of that model continues validating Pendulum’s belief that thoughtful venue design can directly support long-term financial sustainability for teams, operators, and communities alike.
The Rise of a Market Challenger
The success of the USPBL validated that approach almost immediately. The league established itself as a developmental platform for players while simultaneously creating one of Metro Detroit’s most accessible and affordable sports entertainment destinations. Since opening, the ballpark has welcomed more than two million fans and has helped dozens of players advance toward Major League Baseball opportunities.
What makes projects like UWM Field especially meaningful is their ability to evolve with the community around them. The recent rebrand reflects not only a change in sponsorship, but the continued maturation of the venue as a long-term civic asset tied closely to the identity and growth of Metro Detroit.
For Pendulum, looking back on this project is a reminder that successful venues are never simply about architecture or construction. They are about creating places where people gather, communities connect, and memories are built season after season.
A decade later, the ballpark continues fulfilling that vision. Congratulations to the USPBL on an exceptional run to date, with many more successful seasons ahead.
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