BPL Legends Immortalized on Local Ballfields
Did you know? Boston’s amateur baseball tradition spans nearly a century, and within the City of Boston there are three baseball diamonds named in honor of Boston Park League Hall of Famers. Fans have been enjoying Boston Park League baseball for 97 consecutive years – the league was founded in 1929 and is recognized as America’s oldest amateur baseball league. Over the decades, many local legends have left their mark on the game. In tribute, the city has dedicated fields to three of the league’s most influential figures:
- Fallon Field (Roslindale) – home to the Bill Stewart Jr. Diamond
- Town Field (Dorchester) – home to the Dick Casey baseball diamond
- Ryan Playground (Charlestown) – home to the Phil Kelly baseball diamond
Each of these fields carries a rich history, intertwining Boston’s community heritage with the legacy of Park League greats. Below, we explore the stories behind each ballfield and the Hall of Famers they honor.
Fallon Field, Roslindale – Home of the Bill Stewart Jr. Diamond
Fallon Field in Roslindale has been a centerpiece of local baseball since the early 20th century. The park itself is named for John Thomas Fallon, a Roslindale native who was the second soldier from that neighborhood killed in World War I. While the name “Fallon Field” honors a WWI hero and has remained unchanged since 1920, the baseball diamond within the park now honors Boston Park League legend Bill Stewart Jr.
In 1990, then-Mayor Raymond Flynn (a Park League alum himself) officially dedicated the Fallon Field diamond to Bill Stewart Jr. in recognition of Stewart’s lifelong contributions to the league. Bill Stewart Jr., inducted into the Boston Park League Hall of Fame in 1982, was a driving force in amateur baseball as a player, umpire, and league official. He even served as BPL President in 1985, guiding the league during a pivotal time. A long-time umpire-in-chief and respected coach (notably at Boston English High School), Stewart earned a reputation for dedication and leadership. The naming ceremony in Roslindale – with Mayor Flynn and Stewart’s family in attendance – cemented his legacy for future generations. Today, locals refer to the diamond at Fallon Field as the “Bill Stewart Jr. Diamond,” a living tribute to a man who helped shape nearly every facet of the Boston Park League.
Fallon Field itself has seen countless historic games. During the Park League’s early years, it drew massive crowds; one 1933 playoff game at Fallon Field attracted an estimated 18,000 fans to watch Roslindale’s team win a championship. Now, with the Bill Stewart Jr. Diamond at its heart, Fallon Field links Roslindale’s community war hero namesake with a Park League Hall of Famer who devoted his life to Boston baseball.
Dorchester’s Town Field – Honoring Park League Legend Dick Casey
Dorchester’s Town Field, located at 1565 Dorchester Ave in Fields Corner, is another storied ballpark with a special dedication. Part of Doherty-Gibson Playground, it is officially known today as Dick Casey Town Field, the baseball diamond here is named after Richard “Dick” Casey, a charter member of the Boston Park League Hall of Fame. Dick Casey’s impact on the Park League is monumental: he won more games than any manager in Park League history and was a founding father of the league’s success.
In the 1930s and 1940s, Casey managed the famed “Dick Casey Club” of Dorchester, which became a powerhouse team. Under his leadership, the club dominated the league – at one point capturing six straight league crowns by 1945, and in total Dick Casey’s teams won eight Park League championships during that era. This incredible run made him the winningest manager the league has ever seen.
Beyond the diamond, Dick Casey was a well-known community figure. He served as a local representative, earning him the nickname “Rep. Dick Casey,” and tirelessly promoted youth athletics in Dorchester. His dual legacy as a public servant and baseball manager endeared him to the community. To recognize his contributions, the City of Boston formally dedicated the Town Field diamond in his name decades ago.
For generations of players, Dick Casey Town Field has truly been the heart of the Boston Park League. League games have been played at this Dorchester park since the league’s inception – it has long been described as the hub of the Park League. Today, a visit to Town Field reveals not just a neighborhood ballpark but a living museum of Park League history. A commemorative sign bears Dick Casey’s name, reminding players and fans that they are walking in the footsteps of a local legend. Every time a Park League team takes the field here under the lights, they continue the legacy of excellence and community spirit that Dick Casey began so many years ago.
Charlestown’s Ryan Playground – Dedicated to Phil Kelly
In the Charlestown neighborhood, Ryan Playground features a baseball diamond dedicated to Philip “Phil” Kelly, another Boston Park League Hall of Famer whose life in baseball left a lasting impact. Phil Kelly grew up in Charlestown – a true “Townie” – and became an integral part of the Park League’s golden years. In the 1940s he was the star third baseman for the Dick Casey Club, the very team that ruled the league. Kelly’s playing days were filled with success: as part of that premier club, he won 8 league titles in an 11-year span, contributing to the Casey dynasty.
Phil Kelly’s leadership went beyond just playing. He later took on the role of player/coach, leading his hometown Charlestown teams to championships in 1958 and 1961. His dedication to baseball extended into the youth ranks as well – for many years, Kelly poured his heart and soul into coaching Charlestown’s youth baseball programs. He was known for mentoring kids and teaching the fundamentals of the game, ensuring the next generation would share his love for baseball.
In recognition of his lifetime of service both on and off the field, the City of Boston honored Phil Kelly by naming the Ryan Playground baseball diamond after him. This gesture, which took place while Phil was still alive, celebrated a community hero in a fitting way. Now the diamond at Ryan Playground proudly bears Phil Kelly’s name – a daily reminder of Charlestown’s baseball heritage. Phil Kelly was inducted into the Park League Hall of Fame in 1984, and even late in life he continued to be a presence at local games and events. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Kelly stayed active in sports officiating and community clubs well into his senior years.
For Charlestown’s ballplayers, stepping onto Phil Kelly’s field is an inspiration. They play on a diamond that symbolizes decades of devotion to the game: every base hit or diving catch echoes the passion of the man whose name graces the field. The Phil Kelly Diamond at Ryan Playground ensures that Charlestown’s youth baseball tradition remains intertwined with the legacy of one of its most faithful advocates.
Celebrating a Lasting Baseball Legacy
It’s remarkable that Boston’s public parks pay tribute to these three Boston Park League legends – Bill Stewart Jr., Dick Casey, and Phil Kelly – by name. Each field dedication is more than just a sign on a fence; it’s a piece of living history. For the amateur adult players in the Boston Park League today, knowing the story behind the field can be a source of pride and motivation. These parks remind us that the Boston Park League’s legacy isn’t only in record books or trophy cases, but also etched into the very diamonds where games are played.
The next time you’re at Fallon Field in Roslindale, Town Field in Dorchester, or Ryan Playground in Charlestown, take a moment to appreciate the names they honor. These Hall of Famers exemplify the spirit of the Boston Park League – competitive fire, community leadership, and a love of the game passed down through generations. As the Park League approaches its centennial, these three fields stand as open-air monuments, ensuring that new generations of Boston ballplayers remember the giants who came before them and the rich history of local baseball in our city.
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