Just the basics in Pittsfield. Some box seats, which sold for $6 each for this game, and some wooden bench seats that reminded me of church pews. Wahconah Park was built in 1919, and like most older ballparks, has been added onto, subtracted from, and fiddled with; but it maintains its character. It is a fun place to see a game and feel like you are part of a community.
A familiar name is involved in keeping baseball alive in this little gem of a park. Dan Duquette, former general manager of the Red Sox, is president of the Dukes.
Monday, July 18, 2005
Pittsfield- No Sun Delay Today
Wahconah Park has the distinction of facing the wrong way. The sun sets over the outfield fence, in the BATTER'S eye! The game sometimes has to be stopped when the sun gets in a particularly hazardous spot, but the night I was there was not a problem. It was overcast, so us fans could watch the game without squinting!
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Wahconah- A True Backyard Ballpark
Located in an established residential neighborhood, Wahconah park is literally in some people's backyard, as can be seen here.
Squeezing into a neighborhood means that sometimes a ballpark's dimensions are sometimes a little strange, and Wahconah Park is no exception. it measures 400 feet to the right-field power alley, and 374 feet to straightaway center-field. Normally these dimensions are reversed.
Squeezing into a neighborhood means that sometimes a ballpark's dimensions are sometimes a little strange, and Wahconah Park is no exception. it measures 400 feet to the right-field power alley, and 374 feet to straightaway center-field. Normally these dimensions are reversed.
Wahconah Park- an Old Classic
The second stop on my dad and I's little trip was Pittsfield Massachusetts, and Wahconah Park. It is the home of the Pittsfield Dukes of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
Over the last 10-12 years there has been a boom in construction of new minor league ballparks, and a flurry of team relocations. The Pittsfield Mets of the New York-Penn League moved to Brooklyn, and have become one of the higher drawing teams in all of minor league baseball.
College summer leagues give college baseball players a chance to play ball all summer long, using wooden bats instead of aluminum. The college leagues have seized a ready-made opportunity, and have taken over many of the parks abandoned by the minor leagues, including Wahconah Park.
Over the last 10-12 years there has been a boom in construction of new minor league ballparks, and a flurry of team relocations. The Pittsfield Mets of the New York-Penn League moved to Brooklyn, and have become one of the higher drawing teams in all of minor league baseball.
College summer leagues give college baseball players a chance to play ball all summer long, using wooden bats instead of aluminum. The college leagues have seized a ready-made opportunity, and have taken over many of the parks abandoned by the minor leagues, including Wahconah Park.
A Midsummer Night at Yale Field
This is the second year for the New Haven County Cutters. Hopefully they draw better than the did the night my dad and I were there. The announced attendance was 905, the actual crowd was something less.
Cutters management does try hard, and has a sense of humor. Their slogan is "Fun is Good." The between innings stunts and promotions are over the top, from the obstacle race to the plunger toss.
I was impressed with the concessions also. "Brew Haven" was a welcome sight, with eight different imports and microbrews on tap. The Bar B Q in the left field corner looked to be in the southern tradition, and even had macaroni and cheese on the menu! Of course, the hot dogs tasted good!
Cutters management does try hard, and has a sense of humor. Their slogan is "Fun is Good." The between innings stunts and promotions are over the top, from the obstacle race to the plunger toss.
I was impressed with the concessions also. "Brew Haven" was a welcome sight, with eight different imports and microbrews on tap. The Bar B Q in the left field corner looked to be in the southern tradition, and even had macaroni and cheese on the menu! Of course, the hot dogs tasted good!
Yale Field Grandstand
In preparation for the Ravens arrival, the grandstand was renovated and modernized. Wooden stands were replaced with metal stands- some of the noisiest stands you will ever hear. The Cutters management takes advantage of this, and encourages foot stomping by the fans at every opportunity.
Yale field has a semicircular grandstand, which means there is a large amount of foul territory. A pitcher's dream!
Yale field has a semicircular grandstand, which means there is a large amount of foul territory. A pitcher's dream!
Yale Field
I took a short trip with my dad right after the 4th of July to visit two old parks. First stop, Yale Field, home of the New Haven County Cutters, a team in the independent Can-Am league. The New Haven Ravens in the AA Eastern League once called Yale Field home, but moved to greener pastures a few years ago. This ballpark is located at the athletic complex of Yale University, across the street from the Yale Bowl football stadium.
The most distinctive feature of Yale Field is probably the open arches in the outer wall of the park. They sit above the top row of the grandstand, and are rather striking.
The most distinctive feature of Yale Field is probably the open arches in the outer wall of the park. They sit above the top row of the grandstand, and are rather striking.
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