McKeon Park - Hyannis Harbor Hawks
- Paul Baker
- Jul 29
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Judy Walden Scarafile Field at McKeon Park 120 High School Road Hyannis, MA 02601
Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 2,500
50 Years of Hyannis Baseball
McKeon Park, named for longtime Barnstable School Committee member and athletic booster John McKeon, is located behind Saint John Paul II High School, within walking distance of both downtown Hyannis and Hyannis Harbor. In 2016 the field at McKeon Park was renamed “Judy Walden Scarafile Field” in honor of the longtime Cape Cod Baseball League president.
The Harbor Hawks, originally named the Mets, decided in 2009 along with several other league teams to cease sharing names with Major League teams. The team chose the new moniker "Harbor Hawks" in honor of the Ospreys who nest atop the light towers at the ballpark.
The Harbor Hawks/Mets have been a member of the Cape Cod League since 1976, and have won three championships, most recently in 1991. Some notable alumni to have played in Hyannis include Jason Varitek, Buck Showalter, Albert Belle, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Robin Ventura.
Food & Beverage 3
The Harbor Hawks operate a concession stand out of the rear of the press box building. It offers basic refreshments for hungry Hyannis fans. Quarter Pound Hot Dogs, pizza slices, walking tacos and nachos are the highlights of the menu. Of course, since we’re on Cape Cod, New England clam chowder is available as well.
Fans looking for a quick snack will have many options. In addition to the typical pretzels, potato chips (Cape Cod brand chips, naturally), popcorn and sunflower seeds, an assortment of ice cream novelties are available.
You may find a food truck on site during your visit. On Stadium Journey’s visit, a truck serving “dirty sodas” was selling their wares. Coca-Cola products are featured at McKeon Park. No alcohol is sold here.
Atmosphere 3
Fans who long for a game day experience like it used to be will certainly enjoy a Harbor Hawks game. Like all the Cape League parks, the game is the focus here. Absent are the shenanigans that have become routine throughout minor league baseball today.
Distractions are kept to a minimum at McKeon Park. Although music is played between innings, it is kept at a reasonable volume. Batters come to the plate without musical accompaniment, greeted only by a subdued PA announcer.
The Harbor Hawks do engage fans with a few promotions, including a t-shirt toss, 50/50 raffle with multiple prizes from local sponsors and appearances by Ossie the Osprey, Hyannis’ mascot.
Neighborhood 5
McKeon Park is located in Hyannis, MA, the largest of the seven villages that make up the town of Barnstable. Hyannis is the commercial and transportation hub of Cape Cod, and is the only designated urban area on Cape Cod. Because of this, it is referred to as "The Capital of the Cape." The historic downtown area is located just a couple of blocks from McKeon Park. The area is filled with restaurants, lodging options and shops.
If spending a day on the water is more your speed, head a block beyond the outfield wall, where Hyannis Harbor offers even more dining and entertainment options, including cruises of the coastline and ferries to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Spanky's Clam Shack and Seafood Saloon, Baxter's Boathouse and the Black Cat Tavern are right here on the waterfront. Visitors will find several lodging options here as well, including the Cape Cod Harbor House Inn, the HI Hyannis Hotel, and the Anchor Inn. Less than two miles from the ballpark are some of Cape Cod’s legendary beaches.
History buffs will enjoy the nearby JFK Hyannis Museum, located about a half mile from McKeon Park, which commemorates the Camelot days of the Kennedy family, who spent their summers in Hyannisport. In addition, John Kennedy’s house is located just two miles from the ballpark.
Fans 4
Hyannis usually ranks up near the top of the Cape League attendance rankings. Near the end of the 2026 season the Harbor Hawks are third in the league in attendance, drawing over 800 fans per game to McKeon Park. As is the case in all the Cape League ballparks, the crowds at McKeon Park start off slowly during June and pick up steam as the tourist season progresses over the course of the summer.
As is the case at all the Cape League parks, you can feel comfortable bringing the entire family to a game. Fans are friendly, even to those wearing the opposing colors. You’ll be sure to find a mix of families, locals and traveling baseball fans at McKeon Park taking in some quality action in a most scenic area.
Access 2
Downtown Hyannis can be a very difficult area to navigate, particularly during the height of tourist season. McKeon Park is located at the end of a dead-end street just two blocks from Main Street and a block from Hyannis Harbor. Even though the ball field is centrally located, it’s not particularly easy to get to. Parking is available in the St. John Paul High School lot, as well as on local streets. Driving is the preferred method to arrive at McKeon Park, as the Hyannis Transportation Center is almost a mile away and local busses do not access the ballpark.
The biggest drawback to the game day experience at McKeon Park is the lack of restroom facilities. There is a row of port-a-johns near the upper entrance to the park. Getting around the facility can be tough, as the grounds are not landscaped, there are no sidewalks anywhere, and nets obscure views from most points. A lot of the bushes around the field need to be trimmed, as they present an additional obstruction for fans to deal with. Fans with mobility issues will not enjoy the poor accessibility at McKeon Park. Tread carefully.
McKeon Park offers several different seating options in the form of bleachers scattered throughout the grounds. Some bleachers are metal, some are wooden. The largest set of bleachers are on the third base side of the field behind the Hyannis dugout, with a smaller set of bleachers on the first base side of the field. The “Osprey’s Nest,” a set of bleachers set up on top of the hill on the third base side, provides a unique vantagepoint. There is a small patio on the same hill for those fans requiring handicapped access.
Stadium Journey recommends bringing your own lawn chair or blanket to Hyannis and taking advantage of the many spaces to spread out and catch the action from your own preferred spot. The large hill on the third base side can accommodate hundreds of fans. Be sure to get here early, as prime spots fill up quickly.
Return on Investment 5
As is the case at all Cape League games, there is no charge for admission at McKeon Park. The team will accept a “suggested donation” of five dollars from fans, and in return you will receive a program and roster sheet. Parking is also free in the adjacent high school parking lot.
Regular attendees at Harbor Hawks games will bring their own cooler with drinks and snacks (just don’t bring in any alcohol). It is entirely possible to see a game being played by several future major leaguers without paying a cent. If you are purchasing food at a Harbor Hawks game, they are most reasonably priced.
The 50/50 raffle at a Harbor Hawks game doesn’t just offer the traditional money prize. Several local sponsors offer prizes including food, harbor cruises and other local wares. Money collected helps to defray operating costs for the team.
Extras 1
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 two hours 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.
Final Thoughts
The old saying in real estate (location, location, location) doesn’t account for everything here in Hyannis. While McKeon Park enjoys a prime spot near downtown Hyannis and Hyannis harbor, the field is listed near the bottom of most Cape League rankings. Until some serious work is done on the grounds, it will be certain to stay there.
