Photo Courtesy of Marists Athletics
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71
McCann Baseball Field
3399 North Rd
Poughkeepsie, NY 13601
Marist Red Foxes' website
Year Opened: 1992
Capacity: 300
Outfoxing the Opposition
Marist College is an independent liberal arts college perched on the east bank of the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York. It was founded in 1929 as a training school for Marist Brothers and has become an academic powerhouse with a student population of more than 6,000. Marist offers more than 44 bachelor's programs, 12 Masters' programs, and 21 certificate programs.
One of its most unique degrees is in the area of Sports Communications. This program is designed to produce graduates who will go into the fields of sports journalism, sports information, and sports branding and marketing. The athletic teams at Marist are known as the Red Foxes and they compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) with schools such as Iona, Canisius, Niagara, Rider, Siena, Fairfield, Quinnipiac, and St. Peters.
McCann Baseball Field serves as the home to the baseball program and is hard to miss as it is the first thing you see on your left as you enter the campus through the main gate. Built in 1992, the stadium seats 350 on wooden bleachers located on berms lining both the first and third base sides of the field.
Unlike many of the surrounding schools, Marist has a natural turf field with a sand base, which allows it to drain quickly. Dimensions of the field are 390 feet to center and 317 feet down the first and third base lines. Over the years the Red Foxes have won five MAAC championships and made six NCAA tournament appearances.
Food & Beverage 1
There is no onsite concession stand at McCann Field, but vending machines are available in the McCann Recreation Center immediately next door to the field. The restrooms servicing the ballpark are also located in this building.
Atmosphere 2
A baseball game at McCann Field is a pretty basic experience. The bleachers surrounding the field are wood and they are very weathered, so make sure you bring a seat cushion. Along the third baseline, you will also want to make sure you do not have an obstructed view of the action as the bleachers are set amongst some trees, some of which are in front of the bleachers. For these reasons many people decide to bring lawn chairs, camping chairs, or a towel to sit on as they watch the game from the berms lining the field.
A tent is set up behind the backstop for the PA system and scoreboard controls, and the announcer does a good job of updating you on the game. The Red Foxes do have a competitive team so if you just focus on baseball you can have a good time at Marist.
Neighborhood 3
Marist College has a beautifully landscaped campus to tour before a ball game, with some terrific views of the Hudson River from anywhere on the college property. Downtown Poughkeepsie is just a few blocks south of Marist, with a wide variety of dining options.
These include the Bluestone Bistro, River Station, Mahoney’s Irish Pub, and the Ice House on the Hudson. Many of these restaurants are owned by or utilize graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, which is located in nearby Hyde Park. Nightlife in town seems to center on the Blue Collar Brewery, just a few blocks from campus. Almost any hotel chain you can think of at any budget level will be available to you in Poughkeepsie.
Fans 2
A majority of the fans you will see at the games will be students. Attendance at a game will fluctuate greatly depending on who the opposing team is, and the weather, which can be raw in the early spring. A majority of the MAAC teams are either New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut-based so the visitors travel well.
Often Marist fans will know players or fans from the opposing team. The students who do come out to the games are very knowledgeable, as many are enrolled in the Sports Communication major at the school.
Access 3
Marist is very easy to get to as it is located just off Highway 9 in Poughkeepsie. It is located 75 miles north of New York City and 75 miles south of Albany. Marist is approximately 15 miles north of I-84 via Highway 9. It has frequent commuter rail service, with direct connections to the campus on a regular basis. Once on campus, parking is available immediately adjacent to the baseball field in the McCann Center lot. Dutchess County Transit offers several in town routes that service the university.
Return on Investment 3
Going to a baseball game at McCann Field is not going to empty your wallet. There is no charge to park your car or to attend the game. The concessions available are at a vending machine cost, and you are welcome to bring in food from any of the many fast food locations along Hwy 9 that runs right in front of the school. Add to that the easy access and you can have an enjoyable day trip in Poughkeepsie at a reasonable cost.
Extras 3
Marist and the surrounding area offer several extras, many of which relate to its location immediately adjacent to the mighty Hudson River. An extra that is hard to miss as it towers above both the campus and the town is the 1.28-mile-long Walkway over the Hudson. This former railroad bridge has now been converted to a pedestrian walkway/bikeway and it offers stunning views of the Hudson River Valley below while providing a unique exercise opportunity for both residents and visitors alike.
Another “must do” while at Marist is to visit the museum, home, and library of FDR located just 4 miles from the campus in Hyde Park, NY. Managed by the National Park Service, the Roosevelt complex is accessible via shuttle bus from the downtown railroad station in Poughkeepsie. Those enjoying the great outdoors may want to try one of the many cruises on the Hudson options available along the waterfront.
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