Lynn's Fraser Field has a long and colorful history. Currently it is home to the North Shore Navigator Ball Team. When the North Shore Navigators sailed into historic Fraser Field on June 7, 2008 to play their inaugural game, they became the seventh organized baseball club to call 68-year old Fraser home sweet home.
The New England College Baseball League team promises to be successful and as much fun as the grand old park's previous tenants: North Shore Spirit, Massachusetts Mad Dogs, Lynn Pirates, Lynn Sailors, Lynn Tigers and Lynn Red Sox. The Red Sox were the farm club of owner Tom Yawkey's Boston Red Sox back in the glorious 1940s.
Rosenfield's Navigators will be a big hit. Managed by former Mad Dogs pitcher Jason Falcon, the club consists of the nation's top college stars who will be scouted by Major League teams. Formerly the Holyoke Giants. The new Navigators will play in the highly-touted New England College Baseball League.
Fraser Field Restoration
Fraser Field, in Lynn, Massachusetts, was built in 1940 by the Works Progress Administration, part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. Fraser Field has played host to many minor-league baseball teams over the years. The North Shore Spirit of the independent Can-Am League called Fraser Field home from 2002-2007.
The infield of Fraser Field is Field Turf, while the outfield is natural grass. Fraser Field hosted the now defunct Massachusetts Mad Dogs up until 1997. The field is located next to the former Manning Bowl which was razed and replaced with the new Manning Field.
In 2006 and 2007, the opening round of the Baseball Beanpot - a college baseball tournament featuring Boston College, Northeastern University, The University of Massachusetts, and Harvard University, were played at Fraser Field.
Manning Field Dedication
Following the formal dedication ceremony on September 8, 2008, Manning Field was host to almost 200 games throughout the Fall of 2008.
The four Lynn high schools (Lynn Classical, Lynn English, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute and St Mary's) compete in Varsity Football, Boys Soccer and girls soccer. When possible their JV and Freshmen Football teams also play at Manning Field.
East Lynn Pop Warner, West Lynn Pop Warner and the Lynn Chargers share the facility on weekends, involving almost 1000 youth football players and cheerleaders from Lynn. The East Lynn C Squad captured the 2008 New England Championship and participated in the Pop Warner National Championships.
The North Shore Generals a semi pro team in the NEFL also calls Manning Field home.
Manning was host to the Northeastern Conference Boys and Girls Soccer All Star game as well as two MIAA North Soccer Semi Finals, two North Finals and two EMASS Finals.
The Thanksgiving Eve game between LVTI and St Mary's and the Thanksgiving Day game between Lynn Classical and Lynn English draws great crowds.
The first season in the completed facility culminated with two MIAA football playoff games, which matched up Gloucester vs. Masconomet and Everett vs. BC High.
Spring events include high school lacrosse and track, junior high track, youth flag football, adult soccer as well as high school graduation and other community events.
Manning Field History
Manning Field was dedicated to the City of Lynn on September 8, 2008. It is the home stadium for Lynn English, Lynn Classical, Lynn Tech and St. Mary's High Schools for football, soccer, lacrosse and track. East Lynn Pop Warner, West Lynn Pop Warner and the Lynn Chargers share the facility on weekends, involving almost 1,000 youth football players and cheerleaders from Lynn. The Field also houses youth flag football and adult soccer. The North Shore Generals, a semi-pro team in the NEFL, also call Manning Field home. Manning was host to the Northeastern Conference Boys and Girls Soccer All –Star Game, as well as two MIAA North Soccer Semi Finals, two North Finals and two EMASS Finals.
Manning Bowl was the former football and soccer stadium of Lynn before its demolition in 2004 and reconstruction of the new Manning Field in 2008. Manning Bowl served as a home stadium for the Boston Yanks of the National Football League from 1944 to 1948, the Boston Rovers of the United Soccer Association in 1967, and the Bay State Titans of the Minor League Football System in 1990.
From 1966 to 1982, The Manning Bowl was home to Drum & Bugle Corps World Open Championship and drew large crowds. In 2003, wedding bells ring inside Manning Bowl 'chapel' as two drum and bugle band members, Sara Farnham and Mike Corrigham, get married prior to East Coast Drum and Bugle Classic. The City of Lynn is excited to be hosting The 2010 Beanpot Invitational Tournament of Drums in Manning Field.
The Manning Bowl opened on November 24, 1937 for the annual Thanksgiving Day football game between English and Classical. The stadium was not yet completed and was known only as Municipal Stadium. English defeated Classical 13-6 and Henry Pazik (father of future Major League pitcher Mike Pazik) scored the first touchdown in the stadium's history on a 33-yard pass play from
Joe McNulty.
The stadium was completed on June 21, 1938 and named for Mayor J. Fred Manning. The first football game held in the completed stadium was a night game between Peabody High School and Classical with Peabody winning 27-7.
In 1948, the city of Lynn became the first to televise high school football due to an arrangement with WNAC-TV in Boston.
The Harry Agganis All-Star Football Classic was played at the Manning Bowl from 1956–1959 and again from 1965-2003.
The final game played in the Manning Bowl was on November 25, 2004 and was the annual Thanksgiving Day game between English and Classical. English won the game 28-8. The final touchdown in Manning Bowl history was scored by Mike Orfanos on a 2-yard run.
Some notable concerts include; The Rolling Stones in 1966, Ray Charles in 1976, Mötley Crüe and Aerosmith in 1985
The first official event was a city-wide dance held on a specially made dance area in the end zone. This area was also used to show night time movies during the 1930s and 40s. The Manning Bowl hosted memorials following the deaths of Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.
Some notable high school football athletes who played at Manning Bowl include;
| Bill Adams | Offensive Lineman | Swampscott High |
| Harry Agganis | Kicker/Halfback | Lynn Classical |
| Mark Bavaro | Tight End | Danvers High |
| Matt Bloom | Offensive Line | Peabody High |
| Billy Conigliaro | Running Back | Swampscott High |
| Tony Conigliaro | Quarterback | St. Mary's High |
| Boley Dancewicz | Quarterback | Lynn Classical |
| Joe DiVito | Quarterback | St. Mary's High |
| Richard Fecteau | Lineman | Lynn Classical |
| Jim Hegan | Lynn English | |
| Dick Jauron | Safety | Swampscott High |
| Greg Landry | Quarterback | Lynn English |
| Steve Lomasney | Quarterback | Peabody High |
| Mike Lynch | Kicker/Quarterback | Swampscott High |
| Doug Mackie | Offensive Line | Saugus High |
| Mike Pazik | Quarterback | Lynn English |
| Mitch Smiarowski | Quarterback | Lynn Classical |
| Art Spinney | Guard | Saugus High |
| Lou Tsioropoulos | Kicker/Tight/Defensive End |
Download the Manning Field Dedication Brochure containing some interesting historical facts and photos of this important piece of Lynn's history. Click here for the Acrobat (PDF) file.