Parsons Field - Northeastern Huskies
- Paul Baker
- May 19
- 6 min read
Updated: May 30
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14
Friedman Baseball Diamond at Parsons Field 178 Kent St Boston, MA 02446
Year Opened: 1930
Capacity: 3,000
Baseball in the Shadows of Fenway Park
Older ballparks throughout New England boast “Babe Ruth played here” much in the same way that older hotels throughout the colonies boast “George Washington slept here.” It’s a badge of honor for any ballpark to have stood the test of time and to have witnessed the talents of one of baseball’s all-time greats.
Back in the early 20th century, it is rumored that the public playground known as “Kent Street Field” was often frequented by a young professional ballplayer by the name of George Herman Ruth. In the 1920s Northeastern University began using the park for their baseball, soccer and track teams. The school eventually purchased the lot from the YMCA’s Huntington Prep School in 1930. The university dedicated the field after former athlete, coach, and athletic director Edward S. Parsons in 1969, and renamed the baseball diamond the Friedman Diamond in 1988. Northeastern built the John “Tinker” Connolly seating pavilion and press box in 2015.
The ball field was originally configured with the baseball diamond at the east end of the football field (which would place home plate in what is now the right field corner). This setup placed the houses located just beyond the outfield fence at great risk, so when artificial turf was installed in 1972, home plate was moved to its present location.
The first team to represent Northeastern played in 1921, and early teams played their home games on the site of the old Huntington Avenue Grounds on campus. The Huskies began playing their games in Brookline in 1925. The Huskies have qualified for ten NCAA tournaments and made it to one College World Series, in 1966. Eleven Husky alumni have played in the major leagues.
Food & Beverage 1
During Stadium Journey’s latest visit, a student was set up at a folding table hawking an assortment of candy bars, potato chips and bottled water. Hey, it’s not much, but it earns a point. In addition to the snacks, there were Northeastern ball caps and t-shirts available for purchase. Fans are welcome to bring their own snacks into Parsons Field to enjoy during the game. Fans who have their own water bottles can get a refill at the water fountain located at the Zabilsky Field House.
It's also not unusual to see fans tailgating in the small lot adjacent to the field, or to see an alumni group enjoying a nice spread out in the party area.
Atmosphere 3
You wouldn’t expect an over-the-top game day presentation here at a small, historic venue such as Parsons Field, and you won’t get one. What you do get is a laid-back, comfortable atmosphere that hits all the right notes.
Music plays between innings and batters over an excellent sound system. The PA announcer does his job without being too intrusive, and the fans, many of whom have a personal connection to the players on the field, are into the game. Great plays by both teams are met with applause and support. The old scoreboard, a relic from the football days of the facility, provides basic game information in an unusual setup.
Northeastern has enjoyed a lot of success in recent years, and while you don’t see a lot of support from the student body, those students who do show up make their presence known, and even try to bring some of the rowdiness over from the Dog House at Matthews Arena. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), it doesn’t fully translate to baseball. You can also expect a good turnout from local alumni and locals out to enjoy some of the best college baseball in the area.
There is a lot of activity going on around Parsons Field. A small grassy area behind the grandstand gives the kids some room to roam and is stocked with some tailgating games such as cornhole. A large sectioned-off area serves to house groups, and the schedule is dotted with promotions and theme days, a true rarity in this part of the country.
Neighborhood 4
Parsons Field is located in the town of Brookline, which borders the city of Boston on the west. Situated almost two miles from the Northeastern campus, Parsons Field is set in the Muddy River section of the Emerald Necklace in the shadows of some of Boston’s largest and most prestigious hospitals. While near a bustling area, Parsons Field itself is in a quiet residential neighborhood.
Fans will find little in the way of dining or lodging options within immediate walking distance of Parsons Field, but with all those hospitals, universities and even Fenway Park close by, there are plenty of options for someone visiting for a Northeastern baseball game. The proximity of Fenway Park makes for an easy baseball doubleheader day during April and May, with plenty of time to explore the Kenmore neighborhood in between games.
Beyond the immediate neighborhood, Boston offers an almost endless variety of shops, restaurants, historic sites and things to do. It’s one of the country’s top tourist destinations for a reason.
Fans 2
A Northeastern baseball crowd can accurately be described as a “friends and family” type of crowd. You can expect to see between 100-250 fans per game at Parsons Field, although you may see a crowd of around 500 later in the season when the weather is nicer. Many of the fans in attendance have a personal connection with the players on the field, and are therefore very much into the action and very supportive.
Since Parsons Field is located off campus, you won’t see very many students at a Husky baseball game. Some of the students that do show up try to continue the traditions of the infamous Dog House that rules the roost for hockey games at Matthews Arena, although on a scaled-back basis.
Access 4
The city of Boston has a robust public transportation system, the MBTA, known locally as “The T.” Visitors to Boston will be able to access the T to reach Parsons Field. The Green Line’s D-train Brookline Village stop is less than a half mile away. The 60 and 65 buses stop on Brookline and Aspinwall Avenues, about a quarter mile from the ball field.
While driving is not the best method for getting around Boston, fans who drive to Husky fans will find it fairly easy to park in the neighborhood around Parsons Field on the weekends. On-street parking is plentiful, and most amazing for Boston, FREE! If visiting for a weekday game, pay attention to the signs regarding parking restrictions. Northeastern has recently allowed more cars to park on-site, but space is still very limited, and the danger to your windshield is real. On-street parking is still the recommendation here.
The only entrance to Parsons Field is now on Kent Street, as the Harrison Street entrance is locked to allow for more parking. Seating in the Connolly Pavilion consists of both individual stadium seats and metal bleachers. The old football bleachers, which run from the right field foul pole to center field, are also open during baseball games. In addition, there is standing room available at several points around the field, including at the top of the seating pavilion.
Getting around the Parsons Field grounds is easy. Rest rooms are located in the Zabilsky Field House on the right field side of the facility. They are clean and large enough for a typical Husky baseball crowd.
Return on Investment 5
There is no charge for admission to a Northeastern baseball game. Parking is free both on-street and in the small lot at Parsons Field. You will not spend a cent going to a Husky game, unless you pick up a snack or a hat.
Extras 3
The sense of history around Parsons Field earns an extra point. Displays honoring Huskies’ conference titles, tournament appearances, Beanpot championships, retired numbers and Husky alumni to reach the major leagues are located on the back side of the Connolly Pavilion and behind the bullpens in left field.
A husky statue is located in the front of the Zabilsky Field House. It’s a great spot for a photo opp while visiting Parsons Field.
Through the years Husky football, field hockey, track and women’s lacrosse have played at Parsons Field. Today the Northeastern men’s and women’s soccer teams, as well as local high schools, play here. A few features around the facility remind fans that this field has been in use for over a century. The old scoreboard in left-center field and the football bleachers harken back to games of yore. The way multiple sports are accommodated here is quite impressive.
Final Thoughts
Parsons Field is a very interesting place to catch a college baseball game. It’s historic and modern at the same time. It’s big-time baseball in a small-time setting. It’s a quiet neighborhood ballpark just blocks from one of the busiest parts of Boston. Somehow here, at this sleepy little park in the shadows of Fenway Park, a regional baseball power has emerged.
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