Fitton Baseball Field - Holy Cross Crusaders
- Paul Baker
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57
Fitton Baseball Field 1 College St Worcester, MA 01610
Year Opened: 1905 Capacity: 3,000
A Good Fitt
Baseball has been played at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester (pronounced “Woo-stah” by locals), MA since 1876. The Crusaders have played on the site of Fitton Field since 1905. The ballpark is named in honor of the Reverend James Fitton, who donated the land on which the baseball and adjacent football stadium is located.
In addition to the Holy Cross baseball team, the Futures Collegiate Baseball League’s Worcester Bravehearts play here. Fitton Field has also hosted professional baseball in the past, as the Can-Am League’s Worcester Tornadoes spent eight seasons in the Heart of the Commonwealth before folding in 2012. During their time at Fitton Field, the Tornadoes installed lighting and permanent seating, bringing the venue up to professional standards.
Over their long history, the Crusaders have qualified for 11 NCAA Tournaments, reaching the College World Series four times. Holy Cross won the national championship in 1952, remaining the only northeastern school to ever win the title in history. 79 alumni have appeared in the Major Leagues, the majority of whom played in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Declan Cronin made his major league debut in 2023, becoming the first Crusader alumnus in almost 50 years to play in the Majors.
Food & Beverage 0
There is no food available at Fitton Field for Holy Cross baseball games. The concession stands along the first base side of the field remain boarded up. Fans are welcome to bring in their own snacks during Crusaders games. You’ll see a lot of Dunkin’ products in the stands on chilly Massachusetts spring afternoons.
Atmosphere 2
The Crusader game day staff put on your standard, no-frills game presentation at Fitton Field. The ballpark has an excellent sound system, which is put to good use with music in between innings. The PA announcer is professional and unobtrusive. A new scoreboard in right-center field (the old scoreboard exploded - yes, exploded - in 2023) displays basic game information. There’s little going on at Fitton Field to distract your attention from the game. The football stadium (also named Fitton Field) located just beyond the right field fence makes for an interesting backdrop, as does Interstate 290 just beyond the left field fence. You may find yourself wondering if anyone has reached the interstate with a long home run. It has happened, most recently when Zach Tower hit one out there in 2015. Jeff Bagwell also reached the interstate when he played for the University of Hartford. It is rumored that Jose Canseco took regular aim at the interstate, but since he hit only one home run in his 20 games in Worcester, we'll call those rumors unconfirmed.
Much of the noise you will hear at Fitton Field comes from the players on the field and the fans in the stands. If you enjoy a low-key ballpark atmosphere, where you can hear the chatter on the field and the crack of the bat on the ball (well, since this is college baseball, the ping of the bat), you’ll enjoy an afternoon at Fitton Field.
Neighborhood 3
Worcester is the second largest city in all of New England, but has never enjoyed much of a reputation as a destination location. That all began to change when the city announced that the Pawtucket Red Sox would be moving to the brand-new Polar Park, located just 2.5 miles from the Holy Cross campus.
The Holy Cross campus is located in southwestern Worcester about three miles from downtown. There isn’t much in the immediate area of campus in terms of dining or lodging options, but the city of Worcester contains many excellent options.
Worcester’s acclaimed “Restaurant Row” on Shrewsbury Street is home to over forty different eateries, shops and salons. It’s a favorite destination for locals looking to enjoy a night on the town. Fans will find additional options in the downtown area around the DCU Center. The up-and-coming Canal District, anchored by the new Polar Park, is rapidly growing and worth a look. Likewise, fans looking for lodging options should head downtown, as there is nothing around Holy Cross.
Traditionally overshadowed by its neighbors in Boston and Providence, Worcester is carving out its own niche as an affordable, attractive alternative to those cities.
Fans 2
As is the case with most schools in the northeast, a Crusader baseball crowd can accurately be described as a “friends and family” type of crowd. Generally totaling between 150-250 fans, the fans that do come to Fitton Field generally have a close connection with the players down on the field and are very much into the game. With the close proximity of many of Holy Cross’ opponents, it’s not unusual to see some fans of the visiting teams descend on Fitton Field.
There is not much of a turnout by the student body, but the students who do show up are ardent rooters of the Crusaders.
Access 4
The Holy Cross campus is located in southwest Worcester, near the junction of Interstate 290 and Route 146. Driving is the primary method for getting to the Holy Cross campus. The Worcester Regional Transportation Authority’s 29 and 42 buses stop near Fitton Baseball Field on Southbridge Street.
Fitton Field is located on the northern edge of the Holy Cross campus, at the foot of Mount St. James. Also located nearby are Fitton Football Field and Freshman Field. While somewhat isolated from the rest of the campus and from the center of the athletic complex, Fitton Field is still easily accessible.
Fans will enter the ballpark on the first base side of the field, at the top of the seating bowl. Concessions and merchandise stands flank the sides of the entrance, but unfortunately these are closed for Crusader baseball games. A building housing the bathrooms is located on the third base side of the ballpark.
The seating bowl at Fitton Field stretches from medium right field around to medium left field. The majority of the seating at Fitton Field is made up of individual stadium seats. There are a few sections of metal bleachers with backs down either foul line. There is plenty of standing room and accessible seating along the entirety of the top of the seating bowl. The field is visible from almost all points on the concourse. With the small size of the typical Crusader crowd, getting around is not an issue. For seats without a net obstructing your view, choose seats further down the lines.
Return on Investment 5
There is no charge for admission or parking at Crusader baseball games. With no on-site concessions, fans will not have to reach for their wallets once while at Fitton Field.
Extras 2
Holy Cross has an impressive baseball history, as they are the only northeastern school to ever win the College World Series, back in 1952. This accomplishment is immortalized in giant letters along the left field fence. The Crusaders’ 2017 Patriot League championship is commemorated on the right field wall. A giant poster commemorating Declan Cronin being named as the Miami Marlins’ Rookie of the Year in 2024 is hung on the façade of the building containing the restrooms.
Ted Williams hit his first home run as a member of the Red Sox at Fitton Field during an exhibition game.
Ted Williams at Fitton Field, 1939. Photo courtesy of Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
Final Thoughts
Fitton Field is a solid, no-frills facility that fits the needs of the Holy Cross baseball team perfectly. While the crowds of 20,000 that used to visit Worcester for baseball games are a distant memory and the glory days of this program are a thing of the past, you can’t ask for more than catching some quality baseball in this charming little park. And the chances of another scoreboard exploding have to be minimal.
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