Cape League Fields
The Cape Cod Baseball League’s 10 fields span 48.7 miles, from Clem Spillane Field in Wareham to Eldredge Park in Orleans. Most of the fields neighbor a school and don’t really stack up well when compared to the top-of-the-line Division I stadiums some of the Cape players are accustomed to. Here’s a rundown of all of the fields and my ranking from a fan’s perspective (in reverse order):
10. McKeon Park (Hyannis Mets)
120 High School Rd, Hyannis, MA 02601
Attendance Average (2006): 705
Capacity/Seating: 3000/700
Dimensions: LF 330 CF 400 RF 325
Summary: Hyannis is home to the one of the largest shopping districts on the Cape, but some of the least attended Cape League games, which is a shame. The field itself is down High School Road and next to the former Barnstable High School (which has been renovated and is a charter school). The concession stand and merch booth are both part of the press box. The walkways are lined with seashells and the press box is shingled; it really looks a the field belongs in the Cape league. There is also now a brick backstop (not pictured). The problem is that is incredibly hard to draw the crowd from the stores to the field, since the field is a long ways down from Main Street. Also, the field does not have lights, but will have them for the 2007 season. Parking is OK with a lot of parking around the school and in the area.
Recommendations: Beyond adding lights, the Mets could benefit from a Mr. Met team mascot, permanent toilet facilities, radar gun with an LED, individual player theme songs, and a better sound system.
9. Upper Cape Tech Field (Bourne Braves)
220 Sandwich Rd, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Attendance Average (2006): 805
Capacity/Seating: 3000/500
Dimensions: LF 325 CF 390 RF 315
Summary: This field was new for 2006 and the actual playing field is probably the best in the league. However, it seems like they just dumped the field in the middle of nowhere. Fans that don’t get one of the few bleacher seats are subject to sitting on wood chips. The concession stand is in a great location, and one will have no trouble finding a parking space. There are no lights at the field, but they should be on the way.
Recommendations: Beyond finishing construction of the press box, the Braves need to re-think the fans area. Initially I read they were trying to model the field after Eldredge Park (home of the Orleans Cardinals), with tiered grass levels for the fans to sit on. This was a great idea but I don’t think they followed it very well. They also need lights, a radar gun with an LED, and a better sound system.
8. Red Wilson Field (Y-D Red Sox)
210 Station Ave, South Yarmouth, MA 02664
Attendance Average (2006): 1431
Capacity/Seating: 5000/500
Dimensions: LF 346 CF 352 RF 338
Summary: The Red Sox play behind D-Y High School at Red Wilson Field. Parking is great, when it is not an all-star game or a playoff game. The field looks good too, but it definitely does not give every fan a good view, as fans often line the outfield fence. There aren’t any lights, and no plans to add them probably due to neighboring houses. The atmosphere is one of the best in the league though. A festival atmosphere develops during large games, with tents set up behind home plate and the first base side.
Recommendations: A better sound system, individual player theme songs, radar gun with LED, and a tiered 3rd base side for the fans. Also, they should develop a strategy for parking for games with large attendance figures.
7. Spillane Field (Wareham Gatemen)
7 Viking Dr, Wareham, MA 02571
Attendance Average (2006): 1104
Capacity/Seating: 3000/2500
Dimensions: LF 325 CF 400 RF 330
Summary: The Gatemen’s field is the only one with a stadium-like atmosphere. Bleachers surround the field, which is a dual-football and baseball field for Wareham High School. The major problem is the actual condition of the field. The outfield is uneven, and for whatever reason they use gravel for the infield (much to the dismay of players who need to slide into the bases). Parking is OK, but is a little rough for playoff games. There are portable restroom facilities on the 3rd base side.
Recommendations: Make major field improvements. Level the outfield, and get rid of the gravel in the infield. Connect the left-field speakers (which are used for football) with the baseball speakers. Allow for individual player theme songs, and add a radar gun with LED on the home side of the press box.
6. Stony Brook Field (Brewster Whitecaps)
384 Underpass Rd, Brewster, MA 02631
Attendance Average (2006): 957
Capacity/Seating: 3000/500
Dimensions: LF 325 CF 375 RF 325
Summary: The field behind the Stony Brook School was brand new for the Whitecaps’ 2006 season. It looks amazing. The scoreboard is the best in the league, and the playing field looks great. Like Bourne, the problem with this field is that it seems they did not consider overflow crowds. During playoff games, fans will have to line the outfield or spend the entire game on a steep slope on the 3rd or 1st base sides. There was a rumor that the field would get lights, but I do not recommend this since there is not enough parking in the area. Bathroom facilities are available in the neighboring school.
Recommendations: Level out the 3rd base and 1st base sides to accommodate more fans and add a radar gun with LED on the home side of the press box.
5. Whitehouse Field (Harwich Mariners)
75 Oak St, Harwich, MA 02645
Attendance Average (2006): 1115
Capacity/Seating: 4000/700
Dimensions: LF 330 CF 395 RF 330
Summary: Whitehouse Field is beautiful, easy to get to, and easy to find a parking space near. Night games at the field always have a festival-atmosphere with a couple separate booths for merchandise and one for food. The playing field looks great, but there is a little problem with finding a place to sit here if arriving at game-time or later.
Recommendations: Add a radar gun with LED on the home side, and introduce player theme songs.
4. Arnie Allen Diamond at Guv Fuller Field (Falmouth Commodores)
790 Main St, Falmouth, MA 02540
Attendance Average (2006): 1180
Capacity/Seating: 8000/1000
Dimensions: LF 320 CF 385 RF 320
Summary: Arnie Allen Diamond is the other field in the league to double as a high school baseball and football field. Parking is OK with options available in downtown Falmouth in extreme conditions. The team has a mascot with a baseball head, named Homer, which is a delight for younger fans. An LED for pitching speed sits on the home side window of the press box. I’ve never had a problem finding a place to stand to watch the game. It’s a good field.
Recommendations: Improve the sound system.
3. Lowell Park (Cotuit Kettleers)
10 Lowell Ave, Cotuit, MA 02635
Attendance Average (2006): 911
Capacity/Seating: 2000/600
Dimensions: LF 320 CF 399 RF 320
Summary: Lowell Park is the most picturesque park in the Cape League. It is the best field that does not have lights, and it will not get lights because the park borders the neighborhood in Cotuit. It is the hardest field to park at in the league, but one of the best to watch a baseball game. There are large bleachers on the 3rd base side, and portable restroom facilities in right field. It is the only park that does not border a school.
Recommendations: Add an LED for pitch speed, and plow down some trees on Lowell Ave. to increase parking 
2. Veteran’s Field (Chatham A’s)
Veterans Field Rd, Chatham, MA 02633
Attendance Average (2006): 2500
Capacity/Seating: 8500/2000
Dimensions: LF 325 CF385 RF 314
Summary: Veteran’s Field is great. However, the school parking lot that borders the field was under construction throughout the 2006 season. This added to an already troublesome parking situation. But, if you can find a place to park, this is one of the best fields in the Cape League. The Chatham Athletic Association really handles the team well and seemingly very professionally. They have a streaming radio Webcast in addition to the announcer at the game. Head Coach John Schiffner does a great job with the team and they never give up. It’s hard to get something to eat during the game, but that’s because the field attracts very large crowds. There is a wooden playground on the 1st base side for the kids who can’t sit still.
Recommendations: Alleviate the parking situation, add player theme songs, and an LED for pitch speed.
1. Eldredge Park (Orleans Cardinals)
78 Eldridge Park Way, Orleans, MA 02653
Attendance Average (2006): 2575
Capacity/Seating: 6000/300
Dimensions: LF 300 CF 434 RF 312
Summary: This is the best park in the league and the furthest east on the Cape. The atmosphere is great and family-friendly. The tiered lawn on the 1st base side works great, but you can’t really see if you’re sitting behind the dugout. The sound system is top-notch with Bose outdoor speakers. In extreme situations (such as a playoff run), there is a nearby field that can be used for parking. There is lights, and a mascot named Mr. Cardinal who walks around dressed in a cardinal suit. The field looks amazing at night and is continuously voted as one of the best parks in collegiate baseball. There is an LED for pitch speed on the 1st base side of the press box.
Recommendations: Player theme songs, and Mr. Cardinal should dance like Homer does!
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