Salem is set to host the Marion Berries, a new collegiate summer wood‑bat baseball team, beginning in the summer of 2025. The Marion Berries will compete in the South Division of the West Coast League and will play home games at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Berries?utm_source=openai)). The expansion team, awarded to Salem by the West Coast League in January 2024 and officially named through a community contest, takes its identity from the regional marionberry, reflecting the local heritage ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Berries?utm_source=openai)). Salem’s broader baseball and softball landscape continues to evolve alongside developments such as upgrades to Spec Keene Stadium and community recreation initiatives ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spec_Keene_Stadium?utm_source=openai)).