Cape Cod Baseball League

The holiday season brings lights to the Hyannis Mets

The Holiday Season Brings Lights to Hyannis Mets!

story and photos by Peter Robbins

If you build it, they will come goes without saying. McKeon Field, home of the Hyannis Mets of the Cape Cod Baseball League, has been hosting future stars for years, always during the daylight hours.

That changed earlier this month, despite 20-degree temperatures and blustering winds, with the installation of a state-of-the-art lighting system by the Hyannis Athletic Association its team of volunteers.

Under the watchful eye of John Brewer and HAA board member Everett Martin, the poles were lifted into place by Brewer's expertise and crew. Once the poles were placed over the piling, Brewer took up position on his back at a pre-determined point and directed the crane for proper alignment of each bank of lights.

The field that day resembled an outdoor skating rink, requiring some to wear ice spikes over their shoes.

The Mets unofficial mascot has long been the osprey, thanks to a family of them that took up residence atop an outfield pole, offering a birds' eye view of the action, and providing some action of their own for the fans, their comings and goings sometimes rivalling the game itself for attention. Construction of a permanent platform on top of one of the new poles is underway, a testament to the role of the osprey in the team's plans for the future.

The Cape Cod Baseball League's slogan, "Where the stars of tomorrow shine tonight," will be even more appropriate next summer in Hyannis. A ceremonial lighting is planned for the near future. 

Visit the Mets' homepage for more images and information here.

A family man, former deputy sheriff, boat captain, carpenter, private investigator and avid photographer, Peter Robbins is a longtime supporter of the Hyannis Mets.