Harrington Dedication Signals Bright Future for Baseball and Softball

Boston College fans and students know it's close to school being out for summer when the smell of Kayem hot dogs and the sound of the ball off the bat permeate through Lower Campus, at a small field just off the corner of Beacon St. and St. Thomas More Drive. But, if BC baseball and softball tried playing three-game series as early as even April last season, all three would've been cancelled. In fact, given the late spell of snow and rain that has plagued the Boston area this spring— if you can even call it spring—they would've been lucky to have any home games at all until finals.

That was the blessing and curse of Shea Field, the longtime home of BC baseball and softball teams. Lovingly known to the baseball team as "The Birdcage," Pellagrini Diamond saw the Eagles play their home game for over 60 years. It had all its quirks, from the parking garage that fans lined for a front-row view to making Atlantic Coast Conference opponents feel slightly uncomfortable, playing on fields they were not used to in the New England weather. And on grass.

That has all changed. The Eagles have a home for the future that's worthy of an ACC program. On Saturday, April 14, the programs officially dedicated its new home with a name: the Harrington Athletics Village at Brighton Fields.

Thanks to the generous donation of John Harrington, CSOM '57, GCSOM '66, among several other donors, both baseball and softball christened their new glistening new ballparks with a Saturday full of events. The festivities began with a FanFest, complete with face painting, bouncy castles and slides, and even Baldwin looking sharp in a baseball jersey. Fans got their first taste of the ballpark in somewhat passable weather—52 degrees or so at first pitch, one of the warmest days in months in Boston. The near transparent pearl-colored plaza appeared pristine to all those settling into their seats—actual seats!—for the first time, all of which have a good view of home plate. Only the shells of sunflower seeds littered the ground near the stands, fitting for any ballpark.

The mix of students and families mingling around the Village's main plaza shows the initiative put into place by the University to make the Brighton Campus a destination, according to William V. Campbell Director of Athletics Martin Jarmond. On one hand, the Village stands in as the perfect engagement opportunity between BC and the community, all part of its Boston's College campaign. But, more importantly, it represents an important step in development as BC attempts to grow on Brighton.

"This is going to be a hallmark of more growth on the Brighton Campus," Jarmond said. "This is going to be an anchor for this whole campus. This is why I came to BC—I didn't see it for what it is now, I see it for where we're going. You mark my words, in the next couple of years, you're going to see academic buildings, you're going to see dorms here on Brighton and this is going to be the anchor. So for athletics to be the anchor for more growth around Brighton is huge."

University President William P. Leahy, S.J., agreed with Jarmond's sentiment, that one of the keys to growing the University as a whole is through a strong athletics program. And Leahy, an Iowa native who grew up a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, emphasized that baseball is a huge part of that and required a facility to show it.

"It speaks to the tradition that BC has had for decades in baseball and I look at it as a manifestation of that long-term heritage but also the future for us," Leahy said. "And it's been part of us and I'm just delighted that we have this grand facility for the team. And we have a great coach in Mike Gambino and players, too, and Martin, he's really excited in engaged. ... I tell people that baseball and other sports generate a lot of interest on campus, touch the alumni base, and so together, the athletics program enhances Boston College in so many ways."

Following the FanFest was an opening dedication ceremony led by Jarmond and Leahy. They then invited Jim Healey, BC '75, P '05, president of the Yawkey Foundation and friend of Harrington. Healey listed Harrington's many accomplishments and contributions to the University. The son of Irish immigrants, Harrington came to BC at age 16. After serving in the United States Navy, Harrington worked at NASA and the Government Accountability Office before becoming a CPA. He taught accounting in the Carroll School of Management for four years, then began his journey in professional baseball. He spent many years working with the Boston Red Sox, rising to the position of CEO and general partner from 1986 to 2002.

Throughout that period, Healey said, Harrington made an effort to give back to the school that guided him morally and professionally. Harrington chaired several search committees, as well as the capital campaign to fund Conte Forum. He also served on the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association and funded many Athletics and Pops scholarships.

"Many of the alumni over the years have said that you are the one that saved baseball at BC," Healey said. "So yes, I would say you deserve this honor."

In an emotional speech on the Village's main plaza, Harrington thanked the University for being his inspiration in his professional career. He said that his experiences here gave him direction, both morally and spiritually.

"I was truly a lost soul, until the Jesuits and the teachers got a hold of me," Harrington said. "And they lit a fire under me. And they continued to light a fire under me for 65 years. So I'm particularly grateful of everyone here at Boston College."

He moved the crowd most when discussing his wife of 60 years, Maureen, who sat beside him in the first row.

"(Maureen) was the captain of many of our cruises. So I truly share this recognition with her and the rest of my family, it's such an honor," Harrington said.

He ended his speech with a chance to make those in attendance laugh.

"Coach Gambino has assured me that I'll be able to throw the ball over the plate," Harrington said. "Because he has arranged to have the catcher standing there with the glove in one hand and the plate in the other."

Fortunately for Harrington, that wouldn't be necessary. His first pitch at the softball field—from the mound—reached ceremonial catcher Chloe Sharabba, even if it was a little wide. Over at the baseball field, this time from the lip of the mound, he reached the plate on one hop. All things considered, two pretty good pitches.

For head baseball coach Mike Gambino, the dedication of the Harrington Athletics Village represented the culmination of a long journey.

"This facility was not a foregone conclusion; it took however many years to happen, but it's not like you knew it was coming," Gambino said. "There was a worry it might not come. It took a lot of people a lot of work and a lot of commitment and care and so much about this program. And for me, that responsibility to those donors, to the families that helped, to the administration, to Fr. Leahy, that responsibility for us to make them proud with our play on the field, to make them proud with who we are off the field, and to make them proud with how we serve our Jesuit mission is really, really important."

Head softball coach Ashley Obrest echoed the feelings of a renewed energy in the program, which were evident by a recent, history-making 13-game win streak.

"The Harrington Athletics Village at Brighton Fields has allowed our program to have a true home," Obrest said. "There is a new sense of energy, passion, and pride simply by walking onto the field. This is without a doubt, a game changer, for us."

Even with these facility-related obstacles, the baseball team has produced big league prospects over the last several years. That includes two first-round draft picks, Chris Shaw and Justin Dunn, as well as a wealth of talent scattered across the minor leagues. The program also reached the NCAA Super Regionals as recently as 2016.

"To have our players know that, you know you're going to be able to play at home, to know you're able to practice, to know you're able to work every day, you looked at this program as just an uphill battle all the time," Gambino said. "And now we're close to leveling the playing field thanks to the commitment of the University and the donors."

Senior baseball captain Carmen Giampetruzzi, was in awe of the new ball park the first time her saw it and he understands the impact it will make.

"Just seeing it come into play, seeing the beautiful facility here, it's a huge step up for our program," Giampetruzzi said. "It now competes with all the other teams in the ACC facility-wise and we already have a great institution. With the facilities, we can get some top recruits throughout the country. It can really bring our program up to an elite level."

Obrest echoed what it will do for recruiting.

"Our student-athletes now have a stadium to train at any time of the day and any day of the week," Obrest said. "We have always expressed to our recruits that if you decide on Boston College, you will be attending one of the most prestigious universities in the country and compete in an elite conference. Now, we are fortunate enough to add that you will be playing, practicing and training in a multi-million dollar stadium. It doesn't get much better than that."

Of course, the game is just as much about the fans as it is the product on the field. Both Gambino and Jarmond think they can emulate the wholly unique experience that came with playing at Shea Field.

"We're going to make this a destination: We're working on the concession area; we've got some other things, but from a fan engagement perspective, we've got to make it easy for fans to do their thing and comes," Jarmond said. "We want to make it a desirable place, a comfortable place, with seating, lighting and a great atmosphere. That's all part of it."

Gambino believes the fans themselves made Shea Field—what he calls in retrospect one of the most difficult places to watch a ballgame—what it was because of the tailgating and party atmosphere that lived on that parking garage ramp. With potential for picnic areas in the outfield and a pavilion where fans can roam around while still getting a view of the game, Gambino thinks the Harrington Athletics Village can recreate Shea's magic and charm.

"We want to create cool memories for our fans and the students here," Gambino said. "Martin uses the saying, 'creating great moments and experiences.' We want to be a part of that; it's important to us."

The day wasn't all perfect for the Eagles. Both teams couldn't come up with a victory on the field after celebrating the huge victory earlier in the day of garnering a new home. The fact that both teams could even play at all, with rain and snow throughout the week that would otherwise have forced them to go on the road, represented a crucial step for the programs.

And as Jarmond said, if they can play, they have a shot to be great.

"What you want to do is give them a platform to reach their potential, from recruiting to development, and this facility, this complex, allows them to do tremendous things, Jarmond said. "And you want to invest in programs that have a chance. And they have a chance to be great."

Harrington Dedication Signals Bright Future for Baseball and Softball

Players Mentioned

Carmen Giampetruzzi

Chloe Sharabba

Related Videos