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Wahconah Park is the home of the Pittsfield Mets of the NY-Penn League. The Mets are the Short Season Class A affiliate of the New York Mets. |
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Hidden away in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts is a time machine. Step through the portal and go back to baseball before each inning needed to be sponsored and before fans were treated as though they all suffered from Short Attention Span Syndrome. Forget about sound effects and blaring music between pitches. At Wahconah Park, baseball is the thing. |
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This wonderful old park, built in 1919, is sturdy and well-maintained. Fresh paint is everywhere and it is very clean. The wooden floorboards and benches are firmly mounted to the steel structure. The main grandstand is completely covered by a metal roof and is very close to the action. It is a cozy and comfortable place. The concessions are behind the grandstand, just a quick trip from the seats. Some rickety-looking erector set grandstands run down the foul lines to the short fence, which cuts straight across the outfield and measures a mere 374 feet to centerfield. |
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Pittsfield is one of only two professional parks to face west and thus the sun sets in the batter's eyes. Tall trees now mostly prevent the "sun delays" that used to plague night games, but it is still an interesting feature. I also like that the lights were not turned on until the umpire asked for them. It was so dark when he finally did that I thought we'd all have to point our cars at the field and turn on our headlights. Oh, sure, there is a mascot and a few quaint contests, but they do not detract from the experience. Wahconah is a tiny, old ballpark in western Massachusetts and it is magical. |
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August 5, 2000 vs. New Jersey Cardinals