Page 26 - North Haven Magazine Issue 28 Spring 2023

by Mike Proto

ack in the late 1950’s when North Ha- ton Field, I never once remembered him
Bven was a rural community on the missing a game. And, what a voice he had.
precipice of becoming a thriving suburb, a It was like listening to Mel Allen and Jack
group of businessmen who lived in town Buck, two Baseball Hall of Fame announc-
decided to put their minds together and ers who were popular at the time. He was a
combine their resources to build a baseball true role model that everyone admired and
stadium for their children. The field was looked up to, the quintessential gentleman.
built with funds from selfless donations of Years later, in a sign of the utmost respect,
countless people, and numerous men and the Officers of the Little League named our
women gave freely of their time, talent, town wide baseball program after him. To
and treasure in creating a unique, one-of- this very day, it is still referred to as the
a-kind, treasure – a true field of dreams. It Max Sinoway baseball league.
was called Heaton Field and was located
in the middle of town. It quickly became a ness. It was a time of innocence which has My first experience with Heaton field was
gathering place where the aspiring baseball long since passed away. when I was 9 years old and playing in a Mi-
players and their parents would meet each nor League championship game. I don’t re-
weekday at 6:00pm and all day on Saturday In retrospect, it may not have been like member much about the game itself, only
beginning in the spring and extending into Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park, but to us, that we lost 9-3. However, I do remember
the summer. It is where the games would the youngsters who played on its field, it how entranced I was about playing on the
be played, and legends would be born. Lit- was every bit as Majestic. To begin with, it field and being introduced before I hit. I
tle League baseball was in its infancy in had sunk in dugouts. Sure, there was the really felt like a Major League player on
those days, and there was palpable excite- stench of stale urine in each dugout, but that day. The feeling of exhilaration never
ment that surrounded each game. There that didn’t bother anyone. The outfield left over the next three years.
would be kids yelling encouragement to wall was covered with the names of var-
their teammates, fans cheering from the ious businesses from town that had been
stands, and umpires calling out balls and donors when the field was constructed.
strikes and making safe and out calls. Par- The infield was nicely cut out and had real
ents would talk about the politics of the clay that had a slightly reddish tint. The
day while watching the games. Their chil- mound was built up so that you felt like
dren would be playing with one another. you were pitching off of a mountain. Best
Joe, the Ice cream man, would be making of all, the field was surrounded by cov-
sale after sale. The consummate salesman, ered stands which gave it the appearance
he would cajole the children, making them of being a stadium. Of course, there was
laugh. The concession stand was open, and a concession stand that was built directly
people would be buying hot dogs, ham- behind home plate, and above the stand
burgers, potato chips, and cracker Jacks, was a place where the announcer would
and washing their food down with soda. introduce each of the players when they
The smell of freshly cooked hotdogs and came up to bat. The man who served the
hamburgers filled the air. The sun would Little League in this capacity was named
smile down on us all, parents and children Max Sinoway. He was a retired Attorney
alike, and the wind would caress our faces in town. In all the years I played at Hea-
as we experienced some carefree timeless-

North Haven Magazine - Spring Issue 2023
26