Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
Lowell Park
10 Lowell Ave
Cotuit, MA 02635
Year Opened: 1947
Capacity: 2,000
Have A Hit!
The small village of Cotuit contains what is arguably one of the most picturesque baseball diamonds in the nation. Located in the town of Barnstable, Lowell Park is named after Elizabeth Lowell, the daughter of George Jones, one of the co-founders of the New York Times. Mrs. Lowell donated the land that the ball field and adjoining nature reserve are located on.
The Kettleers are the most successful team in Cape League history, having won the league championship 15 times in the “Modern Era” of the Cape Cod League, which began in 1963. Cotuit has won 17 championships overall.
You may be wondering what exactly a “Kettleer” is. Although the details can be a bit murky, it is a term that goes back to colonial times. The most popularly accepted story is that the earliest settlers from England were unable to sufficiently farm or hunt for themselves and ended up trading frequently with the local Native tribes.
Most frequently, the trades consisted of crops (usually corn) for kettles. Other stories tell of the colonists purchasing the land that became Cotuit from the natives for two kettles and a hoe. Thus, the term “Kettleers” refers to the locals of Cotuit.
Food & Beverage 3
The Lowell Park snack bar, operated by Cotuit Fresh Market, is behind the third base grandstand. The menu consists of standard ballpark fare, with hot dogs, hamburgers, and sausage sandwiches available. Also on the menu are numerous snack items, including peanuts, popcorn, and nachos, as well as candy and ice cream treats.
Thirsty visitors to Lowell Park can choose from various Coca-Cola products. As is the case at all Cape Cod ballparks, alcoholic beverages are not sold here. Fans who have not visited Cotuit in a while may bemoan the downsizing of the menu and the deletion of many local items.
Even with the solid selection of food sold at Lowell Park, visitors are free to bring their food and drink to a Kettleers game. Just no alcohol in your coolers, please.
Atmosphere 4
The game day atmosphere at Lowell Park is a baseball purist’s dream. There is very little extra activity going on here to distract one from the action on the field. The loud music and over-the-top PA announcements that are present elsewhere are not to be found here. Batters do not stride to the plate with any walk-up music blaring over the speakers, nor is there music between most innings. PA announcements are limited to upcoming batters, lineup changes, and some advertisements for local sponsors.
Lowell Park is located in a former nature reserve and has been compared to Field of Dreams in Iowa, as it seems to have been similarly carved out of its natural environment. Recent grants from the Yawkey Foundation have allowed the club to purchase the land around the ballfield to prevent any development around the park as well as to make improvements in the facility.
New to Lowell Park is a large grandstand on the first base side of the field, a new scoreboard with video capability, a nature trail, and landscaping in the area beyond the outfield fence. The open spaces around the field provide lots of room for younger fans to chase down foul balls and for the many four-legged fans in attendance to run around.
Cape League teams are run as non-profit organizations which rely on donations from fans and corporations to fund their operations. During every game, the Cotuit Kettle is passed around for fans to drop donations into. In addition, a nightly 50/50 raffle offers numerous prizes for fans to win.
Neighborhood 3
Cotuit is a quintessential Cape Cod village surrounded on three sides by water. Called “Little Harvard” back in the day due to its popularity among Harvard professors who would spend their summer vacations there, Cotuit has an area of only five square miles.
Lowell Park is located just blocks from Cotuit Bay and Main Street. Visiting fans will find some fantastic golf courses and picturesque beaches near the ballpark. Main Street runs near Lowell Park and contains several quaint shops and excellent places to eat. Locals swear that the lobster roll at the nearby Kettle-Ho Tavern is the best on Cape Cod, which is high praise indeed.
More dining and shopping options can be found at Nearby Mashpee Commons, located at the junction of Routes 28 and 151. After the game, get some of the best ice cream on Cape Cod, at Polar Cave, a kitschy neighborhood ice cream parlor featuring dozens of flavors and loaded with Coca-Cola memorabilia.
Fans 4
Crowds at Kettleer games are similar to those at the other Cape League games, with a mix of locals and tourists present. If you are looking to avoid the larger crowds, try and attend a game in June before tourist season picks up steam. Cotuit generally draws around 1,000 fans per game, good for the middle of the pack in the Cape League. Fans who come to games on the Cape are, for the most part, very knowledgeable about the game of baseball, and are really into the game being played, despite the laid-back atmosphere at the park. You'll be sure to know your neighbors very well after nine innings of baseball. Lowell Park feels more like a neighborhood gathering than a baseball game.
Access 4
Cotuit is located on the southern coast of Cape Cod, about halfway between Falmouth and Hyannis. Lowell Park is located a little over a mile off Route 28, which runs parallel to the coastline. There is no public transportation serving the area, so driving is the best way to reach Lowell Park.
Parking is available in a small lot adjacent to the ballpark (beware of foul balls if parking here), on the streets around Lowell Park (just watch the signs, as some areas are restricted), and in a nearby elementary school parking lot.
Once inside Lowell Park, seating consists mainly of two newly constructed grandstands on either baseline. Both grandstands are handicapped accessible. Fans wishing to bring their lawn chairs will find ample room in a grove down the left field line. Picnic tables and benches here provide shaded seating and room to roam. Fans can walk around the field and watch the action from any number of vantage points.
Permanent structures behind the third base grandstand house the concession stand and restrooms.
Return on Investment 5
As is the case with all Cape League games, there is no charge for admission to games at Lowell Park. Donations are happily accepted in return for a roster sheet. Parking is also free, either in the small lot adjacent to the field, on some local streets, or in a nearby elementary school parking lot.
Food prices are reasonable, and fans can bring their food to the game if they choose. It is entirely possible to attend a game featuring some of the best collegiate baseball players in the country without spending a single red cent.
Extras 4
Some of the finest collegiate talents in the country spend their summers on the Cape. The league boasts that over 370 Cape League alumni play in the Major Leagues annually. Over 1,600 Cape League alums have played in the Majors. Whenever you take in a game at Lowell Park, you’ll be seeing numerous future big leaguers in action.
Surrounding the plaza behind home plate is a building that houses the press box, team store, and scout's seating. Circling this area are plaques atop several posts honoring the 17 Kettleer championship teams. Identified on these plaques are the coach, MVP, and Outstanding Pitcher for each team.
Cape Cod Hall of Fame inductees are honored on the wall of the concession stand. Visiting fans will find some familiar names listed here.
The recent facility improvements which added to the Kettleer experience without affecting the natural environment of Lowell Field earn another extra point.
Final Thoughts
Lowell Park is a jewel among summer league parks. In addition to Cotuit's picturesque location, Cape League lineups are loaded with future Major League players. This combination makes a visit to Cape Cod a must for any baseball fan. Just remember to put a few dollars in the kettle when it’s passed around, and “Have a Hit!”
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