Pittsfield’s famous baseball stadium, Wahconah Park getting renovation

A Historic Baseball Grandstand Faces Demolition

The grandstand of one of the grand old stadiums of baseball is facing the wrecking ball in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Sometime soon, when the weather gets warmer, the grandstand at Wahconah Park will be demolished and eventually replaced. Baseball has been played at the site since 1892, making it one of the oldest active baseball locations in the United States. A wooden grandstand was built in 1919 as the ballpark became the home of the Pittsfield Hillies franchise of the Eastern League, an eight-team Class A league with teams based in New England.

Building and Preserving Wahconah Park

Pittsfield invested $114,000 in 1949 — roughly $1.5 million in today’s dollars — to build a permanent steel, iron, and concrete grandstand with 2,000 seats. Over the decades, Pittsfield hosted many minor league teams, and the ballpark became a central gathering place for the community. However, Wahconah Park’s grandstand failed a safety inspection and closed in 2022, raising serious concerns about the structure’s future. The stadium last underwent a major renovation in 1989, and preservationists later recognized its historical value. In 2005, officials added the ballpark to the United States National Register of Historic Places, highlighting its importance in American sports history and architecture.

A Unique Feature in Baseball History

The ballpark holds a unique place in minor league and college summer league baseball history. The local college summer league team, the Pittsfield Suns, draws its name from a famous quirk of the stadium. Wahconah Park faces west, which creates a significant challenge during evening games. The sun sets roughly 40 minutes after the first pitch, and its glare shines directly into the batter’s eye. This unusual orientation often forces delays of up to 20 minutes until the sun dips below the horizon. Despite the inconvenience, the setting sun has become part of the park’s identity and charm, creating memorable moments for players and fans alike.

Threats, Revival, and the Future

The future of the ballpark once appeared uncertain in the early 2000s. The Pittsfield Astros of the New York–Penn League moved to Troy, New York, after the 2001 season. An independent league franchise used the park in 2002 and 2003, but the owners of the Berkshire Black Bears left town after 2003, leaving the stadium without a permanent tenant. Just as the park seemed destined for closure, former major league pitcher and author Jim Bouton led a successful effort to keep the historic venue alive. Community support rallied around preservation, and city leaders ultimately committed to rebuilding the grandstand. While demolition marks the end of one chapter, the planned reconstruction signals a renewed investment in Wahconah Park’s future and ensures that baseball will continue to thrive on this historic ground.

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Evan can be reached at [email protected]