Wahconah Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Wahconah Park

Location	105 Wahconah St., Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Coordinates	42°27′44″N 73°15′09″W / 42.462319°N 73.252582°W / 42.462319; -73.252582
Owner	City of Pittsfield
Capacity	3,500
Construction
Built	1919
Tenants
Pittsfield Electrics (Eastern Association) (1913–14) Pittsfield Hillies (Eastern League) (1919–30) Pittsfield Electrics (Canadian–American League) (1941–48) Pittsfield Indians (Canadian–American League) (1949–50) Pittsfield Phillies (Canadian–American League) (1951) Pittsfield Red Sox (Eastern League) (1965–69) Pittsfield Senators (Eastern League) (1970–71) Pittsfield Rangers (Eastern League) (1972–75) Berkshire Brewers (Eastern League) (1976) Pittsfield Cubs (Eastern League) (1985–88) Pittsfield Mets (New York–Penn League) (1989–2000) Pittsfield Astros (New York–Penn League) (2001) Berkshire Black Bears (Northeast League) (2002–2003) Pittsfield Dukes (New England Collegiate Baseball League) (2005–2008) Pittsfield American Defenders (New England Collegiate Baseball League) (2008–2009) Pittsfield Colonials (Can-Am League) (2010–2011) Pittsfield Suns (Futures Collegiate Baseball League) (2012–present)
Wahconah Park
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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Area	18.2 acres (7.4 ha)
Built	1892
Architect	Joseph McArthur Vance, David McNab Deans
Architectural style	shed-roof grandstand w/ wing
NRHP reference No.	05000878
Added to NRHP	August 12, 2005

Wahconah Park is a baseball park in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It is owned by the city and is a special place for baseball fans. The park was built in 1919 and can hold about 3,500 people. It is famous for having one of the last wooden grandstands in the United States.

Many baseball players who played at Wahconah Park later went on to play in the Major Leagues. Also, many players who had already been in the Major Leagues played here. In 2005, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a historically important place.

In 1990, a writer named Daniel Okrent wrote an article in Sports Illustrated magazine. He called Wahconah Park "Just A Little Bit of Heaven." He said it was how baseball "oughta be." Since 2012, the Pittsfield Suns team has played their home games at Wahconah Park. They are part of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League.

Baseball Field Layout

The baseball field at Wahconah Park has changed its size over the years. Today, the distance to the left field line is 310 feet. It is 377 feet to left field and 374 feet to center field. To right-center field, it is 403 feet, and to the right field line, it is 305 feet.

The field was built before lights were common at ballparks. Because of this, the field faces west. This means the setting sun can sometimes shine directly into the batters' eyes. Wahconah Park is one of only two professional baseball parks in the U.S. that faces west. The other is Sam Lynn Ballpark in Bakersfield, California. Lights were finally added to Wahconah Park in 1946. Sometimes, umpires will pause games briefly at sunset. This is to make sure the sun does not bother the batters.

In 1927, a large wall called a dike was built along the Housatonic River. This was done to stop the park from flooding.

Park History

Over the years, many different baseball teams have called Wahconah Park home. The Pittsfield Mets were a minor-league team that played here from 1989 to 2000. They were connected with the New York Mets. After them, the Pittsfield Astros played for one year in 2001.

In 2002, an independent team called the Berkshire Black Bears moved to Wahconah Park. They played for two seasons but then moved to a different city.

A former baseball player named Jim Bouton wanted to fix up the park. He planned to do it without using public money. In 2004, he organized a special old-fashioned baseball game at the park. A record crowd of 5,000 people came to watch. The game was even shown live on ESPN Classic. Famous people like Bill Lee and actor Tim Robbins were commentators. However, Jim Bouton's plans did not work out.

In 2005, Dan Duquette, a former manager for the Boston Red Sox, brought a new team to the park. They were called the Pittsfield Dukes. They were part of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL). The Dukes were popular, with many fans coming to their games. In 2009, Duquette changed the team's name to the Pittsfield American Defenders. They had a military theme. The park was also briefly called Nokona Stadium. This was because of a sponsorship deal that helped pay for new bathrooms and offices. In 2009, a special game was played at the park. It celebrated 150 years since the first college baseball game.

The Pittsfield American Defenders team only played for one season. In 2010, Dan Duquette moved the team. He then brought a different team, the Pittsfield Colonials, to Wahconah Park. They were part of the Can-Am League.

Current Teams and Events

Since 2012, the Pittsfield Suns have been the main baseball team at Wahconah Park. They are part of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. Marvin Goldklang is the main owner of the team. He also used to own the Pittsfield Mets.

Besides baseball, Wahconah Park is used for other events. In the summer, concerts are sometimes held there. It is also where local high school football teams play their varsity games.

Professional Teams at Wahconah Park