The stadium was originally built in a move by Jackson administration to attract Professional Minor League baseball team.

With the addition of FieldTurf artificial turf, Smith–Wills was converted into a true multipurpose facility, able to host a variety of sports and events including football and soccer.

A three-year deal was signed for the Smith–Wills Stadium to host the Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament beginning in 2020.

After the 1999 season, the Generals were sold to an investment group headed by Major League Baseball hall of famer Nolan Ryan, and were relocated to the newly built Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas.

Then owner Con Maloney cited poor attendance as well as an aging stadium with no future upgrades or renovations planned as a reason for the demise of the team.

In 2005, affiliated Minor League Baseball returned to the Jackson, MS market with the arrival of the Mississippi Braves in nearby Pearl.

Former mayor Frank Melton pushed for the city of Jackson to tear down the stadium and replace it with a 12,000-seat privately funded arena, but never garnered much support from the rest of his administration.