Larry Mahaney Diamond - Sebago Slammin’ Salmon

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.00

Larry Mahaney Diamond 278 Whites Bridge Rd Standish, ME 04084

Sebago Slammin' Salmon website

Larry Mahaney Diamond website

The Slammin’ Salmon

In the summer, Maine’s lakes region is a popular retreat, drawing visitors looking to beat the heat. Tucked into this scenic area is Larry Mahaney Diamond at Saint Joseph’s College, home to the Monks baseball team. During the summer months, the ballpark plays host to the Sebago Slammin’ Salmon of the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League (GNCBL).

The GNCBL is now in its second season of assigning teams to dedicated home fields. Previously, games were played at various sites around the area. In 2024 the Slammin’ Salmon split their home schedule between Mahaney Diamond and St. Louis Field in Biddeford, but now solely play at Mahaney.

Mahaney Diamond is one of the top amateur baseball venues in Maine, frequently hosting the state’s high school championship game.

Food & Beverage   0

There are no concessions available at Mahaney Diamond, but fans are welcome to bring their own food and drink to the ballpark. While this might be an inconvenience, the ability to bring outside food provides fans with the opportunity to go beyond the typical stadium fare.

Atmosphere   3

Mahaney Diamond is a rather basic facility, with three sets of aluminum bleachers encircling home plate and shaded by trees overhead. Two additional sets of bleachers sit beyond the visiting dugout, though they are not protected by netting, so it really isn’t the place to be overly distracted. Many fans choose to sit in tailgating chairs along the grassy hillside on the first base side of the field. The woods surrounding the area also truly make it a relaxing location to watch baseball.

The stadium setup is a bit interesting; a crow’s nest of sorts sits atop the visiting team’s dugout and press box, while game operations are built atop the home dugout. The school’s softball field sits beyond right field, so close that the two fields share a portion of the outfield fence. The baseball field plays a bit short at 320 feet down each line, and just 380 feet to center field. Left field is guarded by a large blue wall that makes shots in that direction a bit more challenging, but also gives the field a bit of character, rather than having just a single, uniform height fence all the way around.

There is not much here when it comes to the game presentation – no walkup music, no mid-inning games; just the game in its most basic form.

Neighborhood   2

Mahaney Diamond is located in the town of Standish, part of Maine’s western lakes region. While the field sits in Standish, most nearby dining and attractions are just up the road in Windham, along the busy stretch of US Route 302, which is lined with both national chains and locally owned favorites.

For early weekend games, Chute’s Family Restaurant is a popular spot for breakfast. Alternatively, if heading straight to the field Amato’s is a convenient stop for a sandwich or snack to bring to the game. Or, if you are looking for a post-game weekend meal or pregame weekday bite, there are several solid options along 302, including Cormier’s Dog House, Luchador Tacos, and Fire & Ice Maine’s wood-fired pizza. There is also Pat’s Pizza, a Maine institution for over 75 years, though some feel the quality has declined in recent years.

The area near Larry Mahaney Diamond is best known for its proximity to Sebago Lake, one of the largest and most popular lakes in the state of Maine. Sebago Lake State Park is about 20 minutes north of Saint Joseph’s campus; the park offers both daily beach access and camping sites. One of the larger campgrounds in the area, Point Sebago, has a beautiful resort golf course, and Seacoast Adventure on Route 302 offers family-friendly fun, including mini-golf, go-karts, and a seasonal water park.

Because the region caters more to lake tourism, vacation rentals are the more common desire, so there is not an overabundance of hotel options in the area. Of the ones in the area, most are more independently owned motels.

Fans   2

Most of the teams throughout the GNCBL are not necessarily community-based organizations, but instead centered around attracting the families of players. Attendance at Larry Mahaney Diamond tends to be modest, with most games drawing fewer than 100 fans. Slammin’ Salmon games typically are made up of mostly player friends and families, and at this point the team does not yet have much of a local following. Overall it is a relatively laid-back environment, fitting the casual nature of the league overall.

Access   3

Mahaney Diamond’s location in Standish makes it one of the more rural sites in the GNCBL. US Routes 202 and 302 provide the most direct access to nearby Windham, but both can get congested in the summer months with traffic heading to the lakes. For those coming via the Maine Turnpike, the Gray exit connects to Route 202/115, and leads into Windham as well.

Saint Joseph’s College is tucked away on the shores of Sebago Lake, and even with GPS, the entrance can be easy to miss. Access is via the main gate onto McAuley Drive, with an immediate left turn into a dirt parking lot, a turn that can be easy to second-guess despite what your GPS directions say.

From the lot, it is a short walk down a mild incline to the seating area. While most of the field is easily accessible, the third base side is more limited due to the presence of batting cages and field maintenance equipment along the fence line.

Return on Investment   3

There was no charge to attend the most recent game I attended. The field’s open layout – with no exterior fencing and a hillside next to the parking lot offering clear views – makes it difficult to restrict access to only those seated in the bleachers.

Online ticket prices for the Slammin’ Salmon are listed at $11.75, which appears to be the standard rate across the league for the 2025 season. That price feels steep, however, compared to teams like the Sanford Mainers of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, who play at a higher competitive level and charge nearly 25% less for admission.

Extras   1

Saint Joseph’s College has a 2-mile walking trail that runs through campus, around the school’s athletic fields, and through the woods along the shores of Sebago Lake.

Final Thoughts

Summers in Maine bring with them a more relaxed way of life, where time seems to slow down, which perfectly complements the games here. There is not going to be a wow factor in the experience at Larry Mahaney Diamond, including no wacky mid-inning contests, nor sound effects following every pitch. It is the drone of boat motors in the distance mixed with dugout chatter, the pop of a mitt, and the crack of the bat, all perfectly overlaid to create a combination of nature and baseball that truly gives all the vibes of summer baseball in Maine.