Joe Wolfe Field
{{Short description|Baseball field in Massachusetts, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Joe Wolfe Field
| nickname = "The Joe"
| fullname =
| former_names =
| location = State Street, North Adams, Massachusetts, US
| coordinates = {{coord|42.693228|-73.113|display=title,inline}}
| broke_ground =
| built = 1986
| opened =
| renovated =
| expanded =
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner =
| operator =
| surface = Natural grass
| scoreboard = Electronic
| construction_cost =
| suites =
| architect =
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| services engineer =
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| capacity = 1,800 (seated)
| record_attendance = 6,714 (July 4, 2006 SteepleCats vs. Holyoke Giants)
| dimensions = 325 feet (LF)
358 feet (LCF)
385 feet (CF)
358 feet (RCF)
325 feet (RF)
| tenants = North Adams SteepleCats (NECBL) (2002–present)
MCLA Trailblazers baseball (NCAA DIII MASCAC) (2012)
Drury High School and Charles H. McCann Technical High School baseball teams
}}
Joe Wolfe Field is a baseball field in North Adams, Massachusetts, United States. The field is home to the North Adams SteepleCats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate summer baseball league based in New England.[http://www.steeplecats.com/index.php?nav_id=31 About the SteepleCats] URL accessed November 30, 2008 The park was built in 1986, with the SteepleCats first utilizing the facility at their inception in the 2002 NECBL season.{{cite web|last=Zmudzien |first=Rick |title=Joe Wolfe Field: Home of the SteepleCats |url=http://www.steeplecats.com/Joe-Wolf-Field/History.aspx |work=SteepleCats.com |access-date=July 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722201851/http://www.steeplecats.com/Joe-Wolf-Field/History.aspx |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |url-status=dead }} It has a seated capacity of 1,800 spectators, with additional seating and standing areas located down either foul line. The dimensions of the field are 325 ft. down the lines, 358 ft. in the gaps, and 385 ft. in dead center field. The park faces south in the Noel Field Athletic Complex. The field is lighted for night play with 8 light poles.
In 2012, the Division III MCLA Trailblazers baseball team of the nearby Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts played three home games at Joe Wolfe Field.{{cite web|last=Puleri |first=Jeffrey |title=MCLA Baseball Opens at Joe Wolfe Field |url=http://www.iberkshires.com/story/40777/MCLA-Baseball-Opens-at-Joe-Wolfe-Field.html |work=iBerkshires |access-date=April 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625043423/https://www.iberkshires.com/story/40777/MCLA-Baseball-Opens-at-Joe-Wolfe-Field.html |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |date=March 20, 2012 |quote=MCLA has partnered with the city of North Adams to play at Joe Wolfe Field in the heart of the city. |url-status=dead }} The facility is also used by the baseball teams of Drury High School and Charles H. McCann Technical High School, both located in North Adams. Joe Wolfe Field also hosts other youth sports leagues.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110928221638/http://www.digitalballparks.com/NECBL/NorthAdams_640_5.html Joe Wolfe Field gallery]}} URL accessed December 13, 2008
History
Joe Wolfe Field was built in 1986 on the site of Noel Field. Noel had served as North Adams' main baseball venue for decades, but its grandstand and playing surface had become outdated. In building Joe Wolfe, a new grandstand and lighting structures were added, and the field itself was renovated.
Then-mayor of North Adams John Barrett III and local sports figure Joe Wolfe were key to fundraising for and building the park. When Wolfe died in November 1986, shortly after the field's construction, Barrett and others involved in the development decided to name the field after Joe Wolfe. In addition to his involvement in the field's construction, Wolfe played semi-professional baseball, coached youth teams, and worked in local sports organizations.
In 2005, the field was renovated. An electronic scoreboard and concession stand were added, and the backstop was improved.
6,714 fans attended a July 4, 2006, game against the Holyoke Giants, won by Holyoke 3–2. The attendance mark is an NECBL record for regular season, postseason, and All-Star games.[http://www.necbl.com/NECBLRecordBook.htm NECBL Record Book] at necbl.com, URL accessed May 2, 2010. [https://web.archive.org/web/20071010061222/http://www.necbl.com/NECBLRecordBook.htm Archived] May 2, 2010
The field hosted the 2007 NECBL All-Star Game. The visiting South Division All-Stars won the game, which was attended by 4,210 fans.[http://www.necbl.com/asg72207.htm South All Stars vs North All Stars (Jul 22, 2007)] at necbl.com, URL accessed May 2, 2010. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070811195618/http://www.necbl.com/asg72207.htm Archived] May 2, 2010
SteepleCats attendance
The following is a list of North Adams SteepleCats attendance figures at Joe Wolfe Field dating back to the team's inception in the 2002 season.
Notes
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External links
- [http://www.steeplecats.com SteepleCats website]
- [http://www.necbl.com NECBL website]
- {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080317132249/http://www.digitalballparks.com/NECBL/NorthAdams.html Joe Wolfe Field photo gallery at digitalballparks.com]}}
{{NECBL Ballparks}}
Category:New England Collegiate Baseball League ballparks
Category:Baseball venues in Massachusetts
Category:Buildings and structures in North Adams, Massachusetts
Category:Tourist attractions in Berkshire County, Massachusetts
Category:1986 establishments in Massachusetts
Category:Sports venues completed in 1986