Conaty Park - Bryant Bulldogs
- Paul Baker
- May 11
- 5 min read
Updated: May 12
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43
Conaty Park 1150 Douglas Pike Smithfield, RI 02917
Year Opened: 2000
Capacity: 500
Bulldog Baseball
Bryant University is a private university located in the Providence suburb of Smithfield, RI. Founded in 1863 as Bryant College, the school was traditionally known for its business programs. The school now boasts an enrollment of over 3,700 students in 27 majors.
Conaty Park is named for Bill (class of 1967) and Sue Conaty, benefactors of the university’s baseball and softball programs. The part of campus where Conaty Park and many of Bryant’s athletic facilities are now located was the site of the New England Patriots’ training camp from 1976-2002.
Baseball has been played at Bryant since 1969, before the school was even located at its present location in Smithfield. For several decades the team played in Division Two, qualifying for five NCAA tournaments and reaching the College World Series in 2004.
Bryant elevated their entire athletic program to Division One in 2009. After initially competing in the Northeast Conference, the Bulldogs moved to the America East Conference in 2023. Since changing divisions, the baseball team has qualified for the NCAA Tournament four times (2013, 2014, 2016 and 2024) Three Bryant alumni, Keith MacWorther, James Karinchak and Mickey Gaspar have played in the Major Leagues.
Food and Beverage 0
There are no food or beverage options at Conaty Park. Fans are welcome to bring their own items to enjoy during the game. This being New England, you can expect to see lots of Dunkin’ coffees on those cold spring afternoons.
Atmosphere 2
As you might expect at a small ballpark like Conaty Park, there is not an elaborate gameday presentation here at a Bulldogs game. If you are a fan who enjoys being able to hear managers barking instructions to their players, the chatter going on down on the field and being able to talk to your neighbors in the stands, you’ll enjoy your time here.
There’s not much going on at Conaty Park to distract one’s attention from the game. Music plays on an excellent sound system, but it’s not turned up too loud. There’s a surprising abundance of country music played for this part of the country. A scoreboard in right field displays basic game information. The PA announcer does his job unobtrusively.
Neighborhood 2
Bryant University is located in Smithfield, RI, about a twenty-minute drive from Providence. Although Smithfield is a very nice place to live, it’s certainly not a destination location. The area near campus has built up a bit over the years, and there are now a few solid dining and lodging choices in the immediate area for visiting fans who prefer to stay local.
Parente’s Restaurant, Blackies, and Laura’s Bar and Grill are popular dining spots near campus. Stadium Journey recommends J’s Deli for their impressive variety of grinders (that’s what we call sub sandwiches here in Rhode Island). Several national chain restaurants and shopping options are located about a 10-minute drive away on Route 44. Fans visiting from out of town may opt to take the 20-minute drive to Providence, which has no shortage of top-notch restaurants and lodging options.
Speaking of lodging options, the story here is similar if visiting Bryant. There is a Holiday Inn Express, a Hampton Inn and Suites and a SureStay Plus right near campus, but visitors may opt to stay in nearby Providence or even Boston, only an hour’s drive to the north. Twin Rivers Casino is in nearby Lincoln just a few minutes from Bryant. If spending time in a casino is on your agenda, the twin resorts of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun are located an hour away just over the Connecticut state line.
Fans 2
As you would expect at a college ballpark in New England, the size of the crowd at a Bulldogs game can vary greatly depending on the time of year, day of week, or opponent playing on any given day. A perusal of box scores on the Bryant baseball webpage shows attendance ranging from 100 fans in March/April to around 750 fans in May. Stadium Journey’s most recent visit occurred on a gray, overcast Saturday afternoon. While the announced attendance was 740, the eyeball test showed an actual crowd of 250-300 fans. While not an overwhelming number, this is a larger crowd than most teams in the area enjoy.
At Stadium Journey, we often refer to smaller crowds such as this as a “friends and family” type of crowd. Many of the fans in attendance have a personal connection with the players on the field, and as a result are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic in their support. With many of Bryant’s opponents located near Bryant, it’s not unusual to see many visiting fans taking in the action. There’s usually only a modest turnout from the student body. The Bulldogs will often invite local Little League teams to participate in pregame activities.
Access 4
Bryant University is located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, 13 miles from downtown Providence. The campus is most easily accessed by car. Visitors to Bryant will simply take exit 15B off Interstate 295. The campus is just over a mile away from the interstate on Route 7. Fans using public transportation to arrive at Bryant will find a Rhode Island Public Transportation (RIPTA) bus stop on the Bryant campus, offering service every 40 minutes to downtown Providence.
Conaty Park is located on the northern edge of the Bryant campus adjacent to many of the school’s other athletic facilities, including Bierne Stadium, Cowen Stadium and Conaty Softball Field. Parking is available in large lots a short walk from the ball field. Bryant was once primarily a commuter school, so there is a lot of room for parking here. With all the construction going on around the ballpark right now, fans have to walk through Bierne Stadium to get to Conaty Park.
Seating at Conaty Park is contained in an attractive brick grandstand that seats 500. Center sections consist of molded plastic seats, with metal bleachers in the outer sections. All seats are behind netting, but still have excellent views of the action. There is a terraced area down the right field line where fans can set up lawn chairs and take in the action. Some fans opt to hang out on the hill beyond the outfield fence in left field. Rest rooms are located in the Conaty Field House and in Bierne Stadium, both a short walk from the field. The grounds are very nicely maintained and easy to traverse.
Return on Investment 5
There is no charge to attend a Bulldog baseball game. Parking is also free in the large lots near Conaty Park. With no concessions at the ballpark, you won’t spend a single cent during your visit to Bryant.
Extras 2
Bryant’s conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances are commemorated on the outfield walls at Conaty Park. The team’s Division One and Two titles are posted.
A second extra point is awarded for the expansion and modernization of the athletic facilities all around Conaty Park. Since our last visit to Bryant just a year and and a half ago, there were a pair of new facilities plus a major construction project going on at Bierne Stadium.
Final Thoughts
Bryant's athletic program is growing by leaps and bounds. While Conaty Park is one of the older facilities in the Bryant complex, it remains one of the nicer college baseball parks in the northeast.
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