Ed Harvey Field - Mystic Schooners
- Paul Baker
- Jul 5
- 6 min read
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57
Fitch High School Field 101 Groton Long Point Road Groton, CT 06340
Year Opened: 1954 Capacity: 1,000
Into The Mystic
The Mystic Schooners are one of the two oldest franchises in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The franchise has played in Willimantic, CT, Pittsfield, MA, and Bristol, MA before settling in southeast Connecticut in 2011. While playing in Mystic, the team has won one NECBL championship, in 2016.
The Schooners have played their home games at the baseball field at Fitch High School in neighboring Groton since moving to southeastern Connecticut, with the exception of two seasons. For the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the Schooners played at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, which proved to be unsuccessful due to competition for dates with the Norwich Sea Unicorns of the Futures League and distance from their home fans. The team moved back to Groton for the 2024 season.
Ed Harvey graduated from Fitch High School in 1969 and became the school’s baseball coach in 1979. He was the team’s coach for 27 years, winning 440 games. Ed’s son, Matt, was drafted by the Mets and pitched in the Major Leagues for nine seasons. The field was dedicated in Harvey’s honor on May 8, 2025.
The original Fitch High School was built in 1928 next to Groton’s Town Hall and was funded by the will of a local merchant, Charles Fitch, with the stipulation that it be named after his son, Robert E. Fitch. By the 1950s enrollment became too large for the facility to handle, so the school district built a new school in its current location. The schools were named Robert E. Fitch Junior and Senior High School.
Food & Beverage 2
There is a table set up in deep right field by the entrance to Ed Harvey Field which serves up snacks for visiting Schooner fans. There isn’t much to the menu here, but if you need a drink or a snack while you’re here, you’ll find something to tide you over. There are hot dogs, assorted candy treats, and cold drinks sold at the concession table here. Unfortunately, you won’t find any of the excellent Schooner Beverages sold here (more on them in the extras section).
The Schooners also sell team merchandise here. Your basic hats, t-shirts and sweatshirts are available, as well as the new “City Connect” shirsey, which debuted in 2026. This was a big seller at the game Stadium Journey attended. This author may have even picked one up himself.
Atmosphere 2
The game day atmosphere at Ed Harvey Field is a pretty bare bones one. This basic ballpark just does not possess the infrastructure to create an intricate experience. Still, the Schooners staff does the best they can with the tools at hand. Music plays between innings over an excellent sound system. The PA announcer keeps things moving with a professional delivery, and the Schooners staff make the rounds of the stands selling 50/50 raffle tickets. There’s a simple scoreboard in right field that displays basic game information.
Harvey Field is one of those small-town ballparks where you can feel comfortable talking to your neighbors in the bleachers, even if you just met them, and where you can feel safe even when sporting the opposing colors. There is plenty of room for younger fans to play catch and chase foul balls around the grounds.
Neighborhood 3
There is nothing in the immediate area of Robert E. Fitch High School to attract visiting baseball fans, but given the school’s location just off Route One and Interstate 95, the many summer attractions of Mystic and Groton are within a 15-minute drive of the ball field.
Mystic is a popular summer destination which offers a mix of maritime history, scenic waterfronts and family attractions. Among the most popular destinations here are the Mystic Aquarium, the Mystic Seaport Museum and Olde Mistick Village. For more information on attractions, lodging options and dining choices in the area, check out the This Is Mystic website. Groton is known for its Naval Base and submarine making history. Some attractions here are the USS Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum and Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park.
Fans looking for the closest options to Ed Harvey Field may want to look up the Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa or the Hampton Inn Groton for lodging, or if looking for some local flavor, Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough and Costello’s Clam Shack are located nearby.
Fans 2
Mystic draws what we at Stadium Journey like to call “friends and family” crowds to Ed Harvey Field. What we mean by that is it seems that virtually every person in the stands has a personal connection with the players on the field. As a result, the fans are very knowledgeable, supportive, and invested in the success of the home nine. Stadium Journey’s most recent visit to Mystic took place on the Fourth of July with some serious storm clouds on the horizon. Still, there were about 100 fans in attendance. This appears to be a smallish crowd for the Schooners, especially for a Saturday night.
With the Schooners’ schedule loaded with games from nearby teams, it’s not unusual to see a good turnout from visiting fans as well. If you’re visiting Mystic from out of town, you’ll be welcomed by the home fans and staff. The bleachers at Harvey Field are a place where you can feel comfortable, have a great conversation with your neighbors, and enjoy the shared experience of some quality, affordable baseball.
Access 3
Robert E. Fitch Senior High School is located in the Poquonnock Bridge neighborhood of the town of Groton. Located close to downtown and the waterfront, this residential area enjoys easy access to I-95, the major highway through the south coast of Connecticut. Route One, the major business thoroughfare in the area that runs the entire south coast of the state, runs directly to the north of the Junior/Senior high school complex.
The ball field is located behind the high school. Ample parking is located just beyond the centerfield fence, as well as a little farther from the field adjacent to the school’s other athletic facilities. Seating consists of a large set of metal bleachers that runs along the third base side of the field. Many fans will set up their own chairs atop the hill beyond centerfield and take in the action from there. Despite the fact that there is no fan access to the first base or right field areas of the field, there is plenty of room for fans to roam and take in the action from different spots.
There are no permanent restroom facilities at Harvey Field. There are a few port-a-johns set up for fans to use. Lines are not an issue here, or at the concession stand.
Return on Investment 5
There is no charge for admission to a Schooners game. Parking is also free of charge in the lot located beyond centerfield. If you plan to stay in your car, be aware that your headlights may distract the players, and you may be admonished over the PA to turn off your lights. Even worse, you may find yourself the subject of angry stares from every person and player at the game. Very embarrassing…
Concessions are inexpensive, making a trip to see the Schooners play a very inexpensive entertainment option for southeastern Connecticut sports fans.
Extras 1
The Schooners have their own beverage company, Schooners Beverages, proceeds from which go to funding operations of the team. Unfortunately, the beverages were not available at the game attended by Stadium Journey, but they have been in the past. Check out the Schooners Beverages website for more information.
Final Thoughts
Ed Harvey Field is one of those small-town ball fields that make Stadium Journeys so worthwhile. Placing a team in the summer tourist destination of Mystic was a masterstroke by the NECBL. It’s unfortunate that there isn’t a better facility closer to the town’s many attractions for the Schooners.
