Clem Spillane Field - Wareham Gatemen
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Clem Spillane Field 54 Marion Rd Wareham, MA 02571
Year Opened: 1963
Capacity: 3,000
The Gatemen of the Cape
The town of Wareham, Massachusetts has sponsored teams in the Cape Cod Baseball League since 1927. When the league entered its “modern era” in 1963, which included the start of collegiate competition and sanctioning by Major League Baseball, Wareham placed a team in this newly reorganized circuit. The team was christened the Gatemen, in recognition of Wareham’s longtime slogan as “the Gateway to Cape Cod.” Wareham is located on the mainland side of the Cape Cod Canal.
The Gatemen play at Clem Spillane Field, adjacent to the Wareham Middle and High Schools. Clement S. Spillane was a teacher and coach at Wareham High from 1947-1960. In the 13 years that Spillane served as coach of the school’s baseball, basketball and football teams, he never had a losing record. In fact, during the 1955-56 school year all three squads went undefeated during their regular seasons. Spillane is inducted in the Massachusetts Coaches Hall of Fame in all three sports.
The Gatemen have won eight championships during the Cape League’s modern era, which began in 1963 with Major League subsidies. Wareham’s most recent championship came in 2018. Notable alumni include Lance Berkman, George Springer, Chuck Knoblauch, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Swisher, Mo Vaughn, Barry Zito and Paul Skenes.
Food & Beverage 4
Spillane Field has two concession stands, one in left field adjacent to the football bleachers, and one on the ground floor of the press box building behind home plate.
Hot items are sold at the left field stand, including hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders and sausage sandwiches. Fans can pick up snacks and sides at this stand as well. The home plate stand operates as a snack bar, selling fried dough, popcorn, ice cream treats and slush puppies.
Operating behind home plate from a portable tent is a BBQ stand operated by Wyandotte Smokehouse. Hungry fans can pick up some ribs, steak tips, wings, pulled chicken or pork belly. The smell wafting over the ballpark makes this a most popular spot night in and night out.
Coca-Cola products are featured at Spillane Field. Alcohol is not allowed. Fans can bring their own food and drink to enjoy at Gatemen games.
Atmosphere 3
The atmosphere at Spillane Field is typical of most Cape League ballparks. Going to a Cape League game is a bit like stepping back in time. Absent is much of the noise and distraction present at so many ballparks today. The game on the field is the focus. Music is only played between innings, and PA announcements during the game are limited to lineup details and sponsor announcements.
One exception to this old-time philosophy is the video board in right-center field. One of the few of its kind in the Cape League, this board can hardly be considered intrusive. The Gatemen use put it to good use with graphics, videos and sponsor ads in addition to posting game information.
Fans who haven’t been to Spillane Field recently will be most surprised at the renovations that have changed and improved the fan experience here. The old bleachers on the third base side of the field have been removed to make way for the new, larger dugouts (unfortunately, the rickety old bleachers on the first base side of the field remain standing), and there is now room behind home plate for fans to bring their own chairs to the park to sit and watch the action. There is also a small social area complete with some games for fans to play while taking in the game.
Neighborhood 3
There is little in the immediate vicinity of Spillane Field to attract the visiting fan. Just a short drive from the ballpark on Main Street is Wareham Village, which features several excellent neighborhood restaurants, including The Pour Farm Tavern, Minerva Pizzeria, El Miriachi and RWND Restaurant & Arcade. Visiting fans looking to stay off-Cape will find a TownePlace Suites by Marriott at the intersection of I-195 and Route 25.
Downtown Wareham is located a short drive from the ballpark along Route 6, and features several excellent restaurants and attractions for visiting fans. Families coming to the area may want to check out Water Wizz, best known as the site of the water park scene in the Adam Sandler movie “Grown Ups.”
Fans looking for an authentic Cape Cod experience while not actually on Cape Cod can head over to Onset Beach or Buzzards Bay. Many excellent seafood restaurants are located in these areas. Visitors wanting to mix in some history with their baseball can check out the old Whaling town of New Bedford, located twenty minutes to the east, or Plymouth, located a half hour to the north.
Fans 2
Wareham annually lands near the bottom of the Cape League attendance rankings. In the 2025 season the team drew just over 800 fans per game. This may be due to the team’s location off-Cape, which makes it more difficult to get to for the many tourists who descend on Cape Cod every summer.
As is the case at every Cape League ballpark, the fans in attendance are a mix of locals, tourists and those with a connection to the team, either as host families or volunteers. Crowds here are laid back, but extremely knowledgeable about the game and players on the field. Respect is given to players on both teams, with good plays applauded no matter who makes them.
Access 3
The town of Wareham is located on the Massachusetts mainland, just on the opposite side of the Cape Cod Canal from Cape Cod. Spillane Field is located on Route 6, not far from either Interstate 195 or Route 25. As the only Cape League franchise located off-Cape, it’s easy to get to from the mainland, and visitors coming during the heavier tourist times won’t have to deal with the legendary traffic in the area.
Visiting fans can park in the lot adjacent to Town Hall or along Viking Drive. Depending on where you park, you’ll enter the field in deep left field or behind home plate. Unlike most parks in the Cape League, there’s not a lot of open green space at Spillane Field. The ballpark is located just a few feet from the adjacent school.
The old bleachers on the first base side of the field remain, and unfortunately are in need of some TLC. The old boards have a lot of give to them in spots, and don’t feel like the safest place to sit. The football bleachers beyond the left field fence are made of aluminum and located some distance from home plate, but are still preferred by many fans. As mentioned earlier, recent renovations have opened up the third base side of the ballpark for fans who want to set up their own chairs. Nets and fences obscure views from all seats in the infield.
Restrooms inside Wareham Middle School are available to fans. There are also a pair of Port-a-Johns located down the third base line.
Return on Investment 5
As is the case with all teams in the Cape League, Gatemen games are free to the public. The team will accept donations from fans in exchange for a roster sheet. Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the ballpark. Concessions are reasonably priced, making a night at a Gatemen game a most affordable entertainment option for southeastern Massachusetts sports fans.
Extras 3
The team runs a 50/50 raffle during each game, proceeds of which help fund the team’s operation. In addition to half of the cash collected, fans can win a variety of prizes, including cruises to Martha’s Vineyard, harbor tours and gift cards to local establishments. A good variety of Gatemen and Cape League merchandise is available at the merchandise stand behind home plate.
In 2025 over 400 Cape Cod alumni played in the Major Leagues. This factors out to one out of every six players to suit up in the majors last year. The Cape Cod League is without a doubt the premier summer collegiate league in the country. All ten teams in the circuit are located within an hour of each other, meaning you can spend a week seeing future Major Leaguers compete up close for free in one of the top tourist destinations in the nation. It’s an epic Stadium Journey.
A final extra point is awarded to the renovations to Clem Spillane Field that have provided major upgrades to the facility for both players and fans. Gone is the old stone dust infield, present are new dugouts, padding, netting, seating areas, and more. A total of $1.8 million went into improving the facility over the past 18 months.
Final Thoughts
The Cape Cod League’s one mainland ball field is rarely mentioned among its best parks, but it has a charm of its own. With the recent upgrades to the facility, the gate has been swung open for a repeat visit to Wareham.
