Goodall Park - Sanford Mainers

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43

Goodall Park 38 Roberts St Sanford, ME 04073

Sanford Mainers website

Goodall Park website

Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 950

Antlers Up

The Sanford Mainers have played in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL), a summer wooden bat league, since 2002, calling Goodall Park in the small southern Maine town of Sanford their home.

Built in 1915, Goodall Park predates Fenway Park and has hosted some of baseball’s biggest names. In 1919 Babe Ruth visited here as a member of the Boston Red Sox, hitting three home runs in an exhibition game against the Sanford Professionals, his final appearance in a Red Sox uniform. In addition, in 1922, following his MVP season, George Sisler was part of a barnstorming tour that played a local team here, headlined by Sanford native and Red Sox shortstop Freddy Parent.

The park’s original grandstand stood for over 80 years before it was destroyed by arson in 1997. Recognizing its place in the community, Sanford rebuilt the grandstand, reopening it in 1998 with its classic charm preserved and modern updates added.

While there is a tie to the legends of the game, the venue has also been the starting point for Major League careers; Mainer players Jason Mott and Adam Duvall are just two of the players who have gone on to enjoy careers in Major League Baseball.

Sadly, in 2018 Goodall Park was also the site of a tragedy, when Douglas Pankhurst was struck and killed by a woman experiencing a mental health crisis, who had driven onto the field – the incident and its backstory were chronicled by ESPN’s E:60, The Hero of Goodall.

Food & Beverage   4

There are several concessions options at Goodall Park, including the traditional stand under the grandstand that offers much more than most.

Main food items here include slices of cheese and pepperoni pizza (the kind with crispy, cupped pepperonis), along with sandwiches like meatball and chicken parm subs, ham and turkey, and pulled pork. Fans can also choose from classic hot dogs with natural casings, or Maine’s own signature red snapper dogs. A food truck also often provides more elevated options beyond the typical ballpark fare.

For something sweet, there is no shortage of choices – in addition to the always-popular Kona Ice truck, the concessions stand serves a fan favorite, namely strawberry shortcake ice cream bars, as well as locally made Moose Pies from Shaker Pond Ice Cream.

Beverage options include Coca-Cola products, pink lemonade, raspberry tea, Gatorade, and Celsius energy drinks, in addition to specialty offerings like slushies and the park’s own Moose Juice, which is Red Bull mixed with peach or raspberry syrup.

Alcohol is available as well, though the selection is somewhat limited. Fans will find Bud and Coors Light, Blue Moon, Baxter Coastal Haze, White Claw seltzers, vodka iced tea, and a house drink known as the Mainer’s Margarita.

Atmosphere   4

Goodall Park is a throwback in the best sense, being a stadium that captures everything nostalgic about old-school ballparks while mixing in a few modern comforts. The covered grandstand seating keeps fans protected from the elements, and the quirky field dimensions add to the park’s character; at 321 feet the left field line is on the short side, while dead center is a deep 404 feet. Thanks to the nearby Goodall Brook that borders the outfield wall, right field is a snug 283 feet.

In true summer league fashion, players not in the lineup walk the stands selling 50/50 raffle tickets, a small gesture that goes a long way in connecting the team to the crowd. In-game promotions, usually held at the bottom of each inning, are simple but fun, tied into an ongoing raffle throughout the night. On-field events are kept minimal, but favorites include kids racing to dress in oversized uniforms or getting a ride onto the field in the fan-favorite Mainer Mobile.

Neighborhood   3

The town of Sanford, Maine, is a recovering mill town that was once a hub of industrial production. Like many towns along the Mousam River, it faced a difficult transition when the mills shut down. Today, Sanford is in the early stages of a rejuvenation effort, with signs of revitalization visible throughout the community.

Goodall Park sits just a short walk from Central Park in the heart of town, making it easy to pair a game with a local meal or stroll. Nearby dining options include Azul Agave, Moe’s Italian Sandwiches of Sanford, and Richie’s Jerk & BBQ, all highly rated. While Sanford’s entertainment options remain modest, visitors will find a few laid-back ways to spend time, including Pine Hollow Little Par 3 golf course and several scenic walking trails that wind along the river and past the town’s old mills.

If you are looking to explore beyond town, Sanford is just a 30-minute drive from Maine’s southern coast, making it a convenient home base for a weekend of baseball and beach time.

Fans   3

Maine’s local communities by nature are a supportive bunch, nearly unconditionally, and even more so when it comes to its small-town teams. For example, banners touting the Sanford Mainers hang along Main Street, celebrating the town’s pride in the team.

The Mainers average just over 500 fans per game, putting them in the lower half of the league.

Fans for the most part remain engaged, but are more on the quiet side, creating typical stadium murmurs. A closer listen to the chatter, however, reveals that much of the talk centers around the frustration of the play of the Red Sox.

Access   3

The town of Sanford can be a bit of a trek to get to; it is most directly accessed by US route 202 that feeds into town from the north and south, or State Route 109 that runs east to west from Interstate 95. Parking is available in a lot across the street from the facility, but it fills quickly, meaning late arrivals may need to park along nearby streets.

Fans enter through the main gate along Rogers Street to the ticket booth, before arriving at a paved plaza area where they will find souvenir and community outreach tents, a food truck, and inflatable games for kids.

A single access point at field level behind home plate includes space for wheelchair/companion seating. Fans can reach the upper walkway via stairs located behind home plate and at the end of the first-base grandstand. An elevator behind home plate is also available for those needing assistance.

The walkway above the seating area is wide enough for two people to pass comfortably, though it can become congested when fans stop to socialize or linger during the game.

Return on Investment   5

Tickets cost just $7, or $5 for children, and parking is free. Concessions are kept affordable as well, so even grabbing a bite to eat is not going to put a major dent in the wallet. Overall, prices for an evening with the Sanford Mainers is an extremely affordable night out.

Extras   2

Boomer, the Mainers friendly moose mascot, roams the stands during games, interacting with fans and posing for photos.

A display on the back of the grandstand shows photos of the aftermath of the fire that destroyed the original grandstand, as well as the process to rebuild it.

Final Thoughts

Summer nights at Goodall Park are a community tradition, where young and old come together to enjoy America’s pastime. It is everything you want from small-town baseball: simple, welcoming, and full of character – the perfect mixture of college athletes chasing their big-league dreams while kids chase foul balls, and fans in the stands chasing their baseball memories of the past.