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Fraser Field | |||||||
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Lynn, MA
Memorable Moments:
I really liked this stadium. It was very different and interesting. You walked up to an old style Works Progress Administration (WPA) club house and ticket booth, that has been turned into a pro shop that still sells tickets. Then, similar to what San Diego is trying to do with Petco Park, you enter into a gate with a wide open park type area. There are benches, grottos, a kid fun area, and picnic grounds. Also in the area is the concourse and seating bowl. The chairs were wide and so were the isles. In fact you didn't have to stand up to let that fat guy walk by. It was a very laid back style of park that I highly recommend. The only bad things that I have to say is that the sound system could be improved, the scoreboard screen was a little small, the concourse could use a coat of paint, and there is an ugly football stadium just beyond the outfield that is kind of an eyesore. 
This stadium was originally built in 1940 as a WPA project. It features a rare cantilevered roof, a cement overhang supported at one end. The stadium was named after Eugene B. Fraser, a city councilor, who was the Semi-Pro Lynn All Stars biggest booster. The first game at Fraser was the Semi-Pro team versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates played because the Red Sox were on the road and the Braves didn't want to play on their off day. The Pirates were in town to play the Braves the next day and accepted the invitation. Vince DiMaggio, brother of Dom and Joe, hit the first home run, and had to run it out, as there was no fence. Casey Stengel was in the stands to see it happen. Professional teams that have played at Fraser include the AAA Red Sox from 1946 - 49. Roy Campanella hit his first professional homerun at Fraser against the Lynn Red Sox. In 1949 the Detroit Tigers farm team called Fraser home. Then the following teams followed: 1980 - 81 The Sailors (Mariners farm team), 1983 a Pirates farm team. 1996 - 98 the Independent Massachusetts Mad Dogs played here. Nick Lopardo came here and in exchange for giving Fraser a massive face lift, he was awarded the Spirit who started playing in 2003. The North Shore Spirit's retired number is:
Tony C passed away well before anyone dreamed up the Spirit, but he played here as a member of St. Mary's High School in Lynn and Connery Legion Post 6. He became the youngest Major League home run champion at 23 and the youngest American Leaguer to reach 100 home runs.
The following teams and leagues have used Fraser Field:
© 2003-17 Paul Healey. |
