Father Gartland Field - Stonehill Skyhawks
- Paul Baker
- 22 hours ago
- 5 min read
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29
Father William Gartland C.S.C. Field
111 Belmont St.
S. Easton, MA 02375
Year Opened: 1997
Capacity: 500
_________________________________________________________________________________
Stonehill Skyhawk Softball
On April 5, 2022, tiny Stonehill College, a private Catholic school located in Easton, Massachusetts, with an enrollment of 2,500 undergraduate students, announced it was moving all of its athletic teams to the NCAA Division One level, effective in the fall of 2022. Before 2022, Stonehill was a member of the Northeast-10 Conference in NCAA Division Two. Upon its elevation to Division One, Stonehill joined the Northeast Conference.
The home of Stonehill’s softball team, Father William Gartland C.S.C. Field, is named in honor of Stonehill’s first athletic director. Reverend Garland served at Stonehill College for 33 years before his passing at the age of 64.
Stonehill’s athletic teams competed for years as the Chieftains. In 2005, the school officially changed its nickname to the Skyhawks. This name has no connection to a bird but does have a connection to the school’s history. After the school’s property was purchased by the Congregation of Holy Cross, an airfield on site was leased to the Navy during World War II and to private companies afterwards. The airfield was closed in 1955 as the college grew, but the Navy continued to use the land for training exercises and would employ the Skyhawk aircraft between 1954 and 1995.
Now in their fourth year competing in Division One, Stonehill has yet to see much success at the sport’s top level. A member of the Northeast Conference (NEC), Stonehill has compiled a record of 41-141 in D-1 as of this writing, which occurred in mid-April of 2026. Stonehill has finished no higher than 7th in the NEC standings thus far.
Food & Beverage 0
There are no concessions available at Father Gartland Field. Fans are able to bring their own drinks and snacks to enjoy during the game. You’ll be sure to see lots of coffee from the nearby Dunkin’ on chilly spring afternoons here at Stonehill.
Atmosphere 2
The game day atmosphere at Father Gartland Field is a fairly basic one. The Stonehill staff does a nice job with the tools they have. The first thing you will notice while at a Skyhawk game is that the sound system needs to be replaced. The music sounds fuzzy over some blown speakers, and the PA announcer can be difficult to understand, although he does a good job sharing game information.
As is the norm at a college softball game, much of the energy and noise created at the game comes from the dugouts. The teams themselves come armed with a repertoire of chants and songs, and their antics can be as entertaining as the action on the field.
Neighborhood 3
Stonehill College’s 375-acre, treelined, suburban campus keeps it hidden away from the hustle and bustle happening on the busy roads just beyond the campus borders. Stonehill is located on the Brockton/Easton town line, with State Routes 123 and 138 intersecting at the southwest corner of campus. Both roads are pretty busy commercial routes, lined with businesses, strip malls, and dining options for visiting fans. Stadium Journey recommends checking out Stoneforge Grill or Brach’s Grill and Tap for your pre- or postgame meal. While you’re at Father Gartland Field, you may notice the local outpost of 99 Restaurant located right across the street from the field.
While you may not find many attractions in the immediate vicinity of Stonehill, Boston is located just a half-hour drive to the north. Visiting fans will find no shortage of things to do there. Fans looking for lodging options closer to campus should check out the Residence Inn by Marriott, located just off Route 24, just a mile from Father Gartland Field.
More information about local accommodations, restaurants, and attractions can be found here.
Fans 2
The crowd at Father Gartland Field is what we at Stadium Journey often refer to as a “friends and family” type of crowd. Typically ranging in size between 100 and 200 fans, almost everyone in attendance seems to have a personal connection with the players on the field. As you would expect, the fans in the stands have great knowledge of the teams and are enthusiastic in their support. With Stonehill’s schedule consisting exclusively of teams from New England and the northeast, it’s not unusual to see many fans of visiting teams in attendance as well.
Access 3
Stonehill College is located in suburban Easton, MA, just across the Brockton city line, 25 miles south of Boston. The campus is easily accessible, as both Interstates 495 and 93 lead to Route 24, which runs north-south barely a mile from campus. Father Gartland Field is tucked in right behind Skyhawk Field near the front entrance to Stonehill College on Belmont Street. Stonehill’s other athletic facilities, including Merkert Gymnasium, W.B. Mason Stadium , and Lou Gorman Field, are located close by.
Parking for the softball field is located a short distance away at an unpaved lot on Blessed Basil Moreau Drive, or in some parking spots near the Shields Science Center beyond the left field fence. Seating at the field consists of a pair of bleachers located far down either foul line. There is room all around Father Gartland Field for fans to set up their own lawn chairs and watch the action.
There are no permanent restroom facilities on site. A pair of porta-johns is set up down the left field foul line.
Return on Investment 5
There is no charge to attend a Skyhawk softball game. With free parking nearby and no concessions on site, you will not have to reach for your wallet even once while visiting Father Gartland Field.
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Extras 1
Stonehill honors figures from the softball program’s past at Father Gartland Field. A plaque near the bullpen honors Coach Ken LeGrice, who coached the softball team for 17 years, including a stint as head coach from 2004 to 2021 until his passing after a long battle with cancer in May 2021. A small plaque on the Stonehill dugout honors Dr. Fred C. Petti, Stonehill’s first softball coach.
Final Thoughts
Father Gartland is a basic facility that suits the needs of this fledgling Division One program. Much like the rest of the facilities at tiny Stonehill College, there is plenty of room for growth here.
Comments