Cameron Field

Cameron Field at Kamper Park has been home to the Dixie Boys program for many decades. It was named for Jack Cameron on July 13, 1979, for his commitment as both a coach and league director for 15 years. He also served as past president of the Hattiesburg Optimist Club, which has served as a sustainable system of support for the program.

In an era often dominated by travel ball, the Dixie Boys program continues to thrive as a local program that brings home championships, including another World Series championship for 2022. It is a program built on a generational foundation that is accessible for all, often serving as a feeder program for the Hattiesburg High baseball team.

As the Dixie Boys baseball program continues to excel and with the intent on growing the next generation of baseball players, the City of Hattiesburg is relocating Cameron Field to Jaycee Park.

Built out of legacy and pride for generations of Dixie Boys baseball in Hattiesburg, the park will be renovated for growth and expansion – increasing the capacity to double the tournament offerings and to provide a shared space opportunity for the Hattiesburg High School Softball program.

To honor the memories associated with Cameron Field at Kamper Park, the City of Hattiesburg is making commemorative jars with field dirt available at no cost to local players, coaches, families and friends of the Dixie Boys Youth Program and the Hattiesburg Optimist Club. There is a limited amount available and requests will be honored as they are received through the Commemorative Jar – Cameron Field Dirt Request Form.

Jars will be available for pick-up only by the end of August. All confirmed requests will receive an email regarding the pick-up date, time and location. Jars will not be shipped.


During the August 2 Hattiesburg City Council Meeting, the council approved a bid on a $4 million project to build a new complex at Jaycee Park, a park that also has a storied history beginning in the late 1940s. It will be the new home of Cameron Field (which will be one of the highest quality fields for Dixie Boys baseball) and a state-of-the-art facility for the Hattiesburg High Schools softball program.

The new Cameron Field at Jaycee Park will be one of two fields, retrofitted with synthetic turf on the infield and modern-day amenities to host tournaments. The park will include:

  • Increased capacity, with two fields that will accommodate baseball
  • One field will include a grand slam safety fence to accommodate the high school softball program
  • Increased bullpen space
  • Synthetic turf infields with permanent striping
  • Turf infield/sand base outfields on both fields with an under-drain system to better accommodate rain events
  • Bleachers outfitted with an awning to protect spectators from foul balls, sun and rain
  • Upgraded concession areas with restrooms and a meeting room
  • Entry plaza will accommodate all memorials, engravings from Cameron Field at Kamper Park, flagpole, landscaping and decorative paving
  • New paved parking lot, with shared capacity to include on-street parking along Quinn Street and neighboring lots at Ben McNair Center and Hattiesburg High School

“Today marks the beginning of a bold future for Kamper Park, Dixie Boys baseball and Hattiesburg High School softball. It shows what we as a community can accomplish when we think big, work together and share resources for the collective good of the next generation.” – Mayor Toby Barker


Estimated Completion Date: Construction to relocate Cameron Field to Jaycee Park will begin immediately, pending weather. The goal of the City of Hattiesburg, the Optimist Club and program partners is to work deliberately so that Opening Day 2023 for Dixie Boys will take place at the new facility.

Total Cost: The total cost for improvements at Jaycee Park is estimated to cost just over $4 million and is funded primarily through the 1% tax on hotel/motel/restaurants that was approved by the residents of Hattiesburg in April 2019. Contributions to funding will also come from the Hattiesburg Public School District, Hattiesburg Convention Commission, Forrest County Board of Supervisors and Visit Hattiesburg.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. When will construction begin on the relocation of Cameron Field to Jaycee Park? Will it be complete in time for the next Dixie Boys season?

Construction to relocate will begin immediately, pending contractor availability and the weather. The goal of the City of Hattiesburg and the Optimist Club is to work deliberately so that Opening Day 2023 for all ages of Dixie Boys will take place at the new facility. 

2. Where will Hattiesburg High Softball play until the renovations are completed at Jaycee Park?

Practices and games will be accommodated through the facilities at Tatum Park until construction is complete. 

3. How will this project be paid for?

The total cost for Cameron Park at Jaycee Park and upgrades are estimated to cost just over $4 million and is funded primarily through the 1% tax on hotel/motel/restaurants that was approved by the residents of Hattiesburg in April 2019. Contributions to funding will also come from the Hattiesburg Public School District, Hattiesburg Convention Commission, Forrest County Board of Supervisors and Visit Hattiesburg.

4. How will bigger tournament play for Dixie Boys Baseball impact traffic on Hardy Street?

As our city continues to grow its tourism offerings, there will be a strain on traffic in specific corridors during a variety of times throughout the year. However, Hardy Street and neighborhood roads have experienced several upgrades and traffic calming measures throughout the last five years to help alleviate neighborhood traffic and accommodate additional traffic along Hardy Street. This includes new infrastructure under the ground, paving, curb work, 8ft multi-use paths, fencing in some stretches, a new roundabout and landscaping.

5. Will there be enough parking to accommodate this project?

The construction of Cameron Field at Jaycee Park will include a new parking lot, with a shared capacity of on-street parking along Quinn Street and neighboring lots at the Ben McNair Center and Hattiesburg High School. 

6. Will the tennis courts, playground and/or walking trail at Kamper Park be removed to accommodate the new water park?

No. The tennis courts, playground and walking trail at Kamper Park will remain. In fact, a complete renovation of the Kamper Park tennis courts is slated to begin in 2023, and construction on a new, inclusive playground could begin in 2023 or 2024.