It will soon be the house that Chip built.
Jacksonville’s prestigious Bolles School has named its newly renovated baseball facility Chipper Jones Stadium after Hall of Fame alumnus Larry “Chipper” Jones Jr.
Bolles is pouring $3.7 million into the upgrade of its Upper School’s San Jose Campus athletic complex and hopes to have the baseball project done next year.
The longtime Atlanta Brave made the top donation for the effort, which will include a new fieldhouse named for influential boosters Jerry and Bruce Chappell.
The project features a 3,000-square-foot locker room, offices, a video room, and an entrance lobby showcasing more than a half century of Bolles baseball history
“The heart and soul of Bolles Baseball will reside at this stadium where lifelong friendships will continue to form and teams grow stronger together,” Jones said in a statement.
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While Bolles boasts a long list of athletic stars, Jones is arguably the school’s most distinguished athletic alumni.
He earned all-state honors multiple years at the school, led the Bulldogs to a state championship in 1989 as Tournament MVP, and was Florida Player of the Year.
Jones was the first pick in the 1990 MLB draft right out of high school.
He spent his entire career with the Atlanta Braves, drawing eight All-Star nods, winning the 1999 National League MVP, capturing the 1995 World Series title, and clubbing his way to the 2008 National League batting crown.
Jones was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.
