
### _[2026: New Venue #25](/26in26list)_

_\*For more on USL2, [here's an overview](usl2_overview)._

FC Copa is one of New Jersey’s bigger youth soccer academies, and also one of its oldest. From what I could find, the academy was started in 2004, and in 2016, a NPSL side was established. This team spent four seasons in the NPSL, then moved to USL2 in 2020 (but had to wait until 2021 to make their USL2 debut). They haven’t qualified for any league’s playoffs since their second season (in the NPSL), which also saw them play a U.S. Open Cup opening round match.

Originally, this was NOT going to be a "First Visit": when the USL2 schedule came out, this game was listed as being at Saint Joseph High School (where I saw [NJ United](2026-05-24_njunited)). However, when I went to check their schedule for 2026, I found out that this game had been moved to where the team played USL2 games last season (i.e. their more traditional "home"): a club sports field on Rutgers University's Busch Campus (the same campus as [SHI Stadium](2025-08-26_rulacrosse_mens)). I can't exactly pin down an exact name for this place: Google (and Rutgers navigation signs) list it as "Sports Club Field", signs outside the parking lot reads "Scarlet Knight Club Field" and "Sport Club Field", and the USL2 website lists it as "Rutgers Sportsclub", so I have no idea what to call this place. In fact, I was hesitant to count it as a venue for my "\_26 in 26 count", but given that I got [Cape League](ccbl_overview) vibes from the fact that people brought lawn chairs to watch the game (as there's ample "spectating areas" around the field), I felt that it was fine (that and I had already counted the other USL2 games).

![Soccer being played at Rutgers Sports Club Field](/images/2026/0711-njcopa.jpeg)

As a club sports field, there REALLY isn't much to say about the field: it's INTENTSELY basic, and only features one very small set of stands (though there's also a field house and a gazebo in one corner). What is interesting, however, is that not only is this the rare example of a multipurpose stadium WITHOUT American Football lines (though [Virtue Field](2025-08-21_vgfc) and [Ranger Stadium](2026-05-17_fcmotown_npsl) also fit this bill), it's one of the few fields I know of with markings for rugby (or at least I THINK those plus signs on the field are rugby lines).

NJ Copa is unique amongst the USL2's Metropolitan Division clubs in that they're the only team that has games in the early afternoon hours (or morning games, as this one started at 11 AM). I'm guessing this is due to various arrangements with the fields they play at (plus the fact that St. Joe's lacks lights), but it should be noted that the Sports Club Field does have lights. This game saw them end their relatively disappointing season on a high note, as they came back from a halftime defecit with two goals after the 80th minute to beat the Westchester Flames 2-1 - Westchester being the only team with fewer points than Copa heading into the game[^1].

Some other notes:

1. I feel like seen a lot of FC Copa items at various thrift stores (as I like going to thrift stores to look for old jerseys). I get the sense most of it was for their youth academy (as a lot of it was smaller sizes), but I've never really had any interest (as I’m pretty sure everything was ironed on). At this match, however, there was no merch for sale
2. I wrote the "Copacabana" title for this post before going to the game, and interestingly, the team played it at halftime. It's definitely something I wouldn't expect to hear at a sporting event - mainly as Copacabana (and, by extension, most of Barry Manilow's catalog) does not really fit the mood of a sporting event IMO...
3. I accidentally wore a shirt which prominently featured BOTH teams' colors (red for Copa, blue for Westchester).
4. It started raining pretty much one minute after the final whistle blew - so it's rather fortuitous that the game ended when it did.

---

Alas, this is the final USL game I'm going to this year. There are other teams which I didn't get the chance to visit but had SOME thoughts about trying to see them (both near and far), so I decided to talk a little bit about [them](2026-07-12_therest)

---

[^1]: Copa came into the game tied on points with [Staten Island ASC](2026-05-25_simonarchs) and [Morris Elite](2026-06-05_morriselite) - two teams I just so happened to see lose at home to [FC Motown](2026-05-22_fcmotownsta).


Going "sport clubbing" to end the USL2 season

New Jersey Copa FC (USL League Two) @ Rutgers Sports Club Field (Piscataway, NJ)


You may remember from back in May that I visited my local soccer team for the first time - twice!

However, I haven't been able to make it back to see more games. However, since I had a few nights where I was doing nothing (and, again, they're LOCAL), I decided to make a few more visits to FC Motown - one per "squad".

## [NPSL (7/1/2026)](2026-05-17_fcmotown_npsl)

The NPSL's Keystone Division can be divided into three groups: the top four, the next three, and Hershey (don't ask how their season has been going)[^1]. As I understand it, the top four enter the playoffs for the divisional title - and FC Motown is part of the top four (though they are in fourth place).

This game represents Motown's final game of the NPSL regular season against division leading Jackson Lions (from the same town as Six Flags Great Adventure), and in a show of "apparently there's quite a bit of parity in this top four", Motown won 4-1 on the back of three early goals.

Also, the team gave out free drinks to fans but had no food (as they mostly sell candy that wouldn't have lasted in the heat).

## [USL2 (7/2/26)](2026-05-22_fcmotownsta)

FC Motown STA was cruising atop the Metropolitan Division and widely regarded as one of the best teams in ALL of USL2 - having won all but one of their games (a 0-0 draw against the Long Island Rough Riders). However, the team saw an undefeated streak that stretched back all the way to 2024 come to an end when [Ironbound SC](2026-05-31_ironboundsc) beat them 1-0 last week (in a game which was played IN the Ironbound), and so Motown find themselves looking UP at another team for the first time in a while.

This game was the "reverse fixture" of the [Morris Elite game](2026-06-05_morriselite) I saw a month ago, and FC Motown somehow managed to DOUBLE the number of goals from that night (winning this game 8-0) - though it helps that one guy got FOUR of those goals.

The team has two games left - one home and one away. Alas, I have a commitment that will prevent me from being able to go, and the away game is a touch too far (and late) for my liking...

(Also, I forgot to mention this last time, but Motown STA is the only USL2 side that sells jerseys specifically to FANS - a few other ones appear to have "online uniform sales", but they're intended for players only)

## \-\-\-

With this being the final time I see FC Motown this year, it's interesting to note that not only did they win EVERY one of their games I went to (both home AND away)[^2], they did so rather convincingly (to the tune of a 30-2 goal differential).

Having a "local soccer team" to watch is definitely something I like, as it lets me watch a team without having to pay for too much (i.e. free parking and inexpensive tickets) and not have to worry about getting home after 10 PM (though I did get home after 10 PM after the STA games, as they started at 8).

I realize that this post is WAY shorter than what I normally post on here, and it represents something I'm struggling to figure out how to "deal with": repeat visits in the same season. It's likely that I'm going to see WAY more FC Motown next year (when I'm not so busy with vacation and trying to get out to a bunch of new venues), but having gone over what little there is to say about the stadium and the team, I don't know how I can stretch posts on them - but this is a problem for next year.

![An image of a banner featuring the FC Motown logo](/images/2026/fcmotownbanner.jpeg)

---

[^1]: Motown's 5-0 win represents one of Hershey's _closer_ games...

[^2]: These two games, the two games I went to in May, the aforementioned game at Morris Elite, and a game in [Staten Island](2026-05-25_simonarchs).

An update on the goings on down the road

FC Motown DOUBLE FEATURE


I've already gone over [the Hartford Yard Goats and their history in Connecticut](2026-06-29_hfdyardgoats), but today, we're going to talk about the team's original Connecticut home: Bristol (yes, THAT Bristol)! However, I do want to note one thing before I start talking about the Blues:

It's a little crazy to think that this post marks the (live) debut of the New England Collegiate Baseball League on this blog (given that I've already discussed New England's other two summer collegiate leagues[^1]). Yes, it has been featured on this blog before, but I was too busy waxing poetic about the league's [last team to fold](2026-04-11_wpsmuskrats) that time. That aside, the league was founded in 1994, and at one point, it was one of the top summer leagues in the country (just behind the [Cape League](ccbl_overview)). However, I'm not sure where it stands nowadays with NIL and the transfer portal kinda sorta wrecking summer ball altogether - though the fact that no teams have been added or subtracted since 2023 feels like a good thing. Anyhoo...

In 1994 (about a decade after the Red Sox moved to New Britain and while ESPN had become the behemoth it...used to be), the NECBL put a team in Bristol for its inaugural season, but the team folded almost immediately. In 2010, the same league gave Bristol a "second chance" when a team moved in from historic but apparently unlucky Pittsfield, MA, but that team only lasted a year before moving to Mystic (where they are now). Then, in 2015, the Futures Collegiate Baseball League expanded into Bristol when the Bristol Blues started playing at Muzzy Field. They made the Futures League’s championship finals in their first year, but eventually fell in three games. In 2020, the Blues changed leagues and Bristol (the city) rejoined the NECBL. While they still haven’t won a league title since changing leagues, they did make the NECBL’s championship series in 2023 (where they lost). Despite this churn of teams and leagues, one thing has remained constant in Bristol: Muzzy Field.

![An image of Muzzy Field](/images/2026/0628-muzzy.jpeg)

Muzzy Field was opened in 1914 - it’s technically not the oldest stadium in the NECBL (that would be Newport's Cardines Field), but it is up there. Built and named in honor of the city commissioner’s sons, a fire in 1939 necessitated massive renovations, which is when (I believe) the brick grandstand was built.

This grandstand has several interesting features: the "main" seating area runs down the third base line and features two press boxes: one which is rather large and modern behind home plate, and one high above the third base end (with no seats underneath) which looks FRIGHTENING to get to (though I'm not actually sure it's still in use).

![An image of Muzzy Field from the first base stand](/images/2026/0628-highview.jpeg)

There is also the first base stand which features a concession stand and the visitor's dugout. These two are at "concourse level", so seats here are WAY above field level (in essence, they're on the "roof" of the building), though it should ALSO be noted that if you're handicapped, this stand appears to be wholly inaccessible. There's also a set of metal bleachers on the third base side (past the press box), which represent the only seats in the park not covered with netting (the entire grandstand has nets, which does affect the view).

Outside of all of this, a large "sidewalk area" serves as a concourse. It's SUPER big and features plenty of room to walk around (especially on the third base side), and personally, the makes this one of my more favorite NECBL stadiums (though admittedly the bar isn't very high). However, as a bit of an aside, I must note that downtown Bristol was oddly...quiet: there were certainly signs that the city is trying to build something, but there were SEAS of empty parking spaces.

![An image of the Muzzy Field grandstand from the concourse. The words "MUZZY FIELD" can be seen](/images/2026/0628-concourse.jpeg)

<figcaption>In case you forgot what field this post is about</figcaption>

I'd been thinking about coming back here for a while (I visited once in 2023), but at two-plus hours from home, it's a bit too far for a "day trip" (and they typically don't have any games that start before 5 PM). However, other teams in their area (i.e. the Hartford Yard Goats and one other team I might check out later this year) have earlier start times, and since I was already in Hartford earlier in the day, I figured "why not?".

This game marks another "first" for this blog, but it is a rather unfortunate one: the first incomplete game. Bristol led 3-0 after three innings, but during the fourth, a torrential downpour came down, and as the "grounds crew" (aka the players and interns) were unable to fully cover the infield (as it's supposed to be covered with a tarp during rain delays), a puddle emerged behind third base that rendered the field unplayable (games need to go at least five innings to be "official"). I do not know when the "rest" of this game will be played, and I'm also not sure if I'm going to update this paragraph with the "final" result. Wildly enough, this game was against another team I once saw play a partial game once: the (defending NECBL champion) Keene Swamp Bats (more on THAT later this year).

![A photo of a large puddle on the dirt of a baseball diamond](/images/2026/0628-puddle.jpeg)

<figcaption>That giant pool by the railing probably didn't help either...</figcaption>

Since the game was not finished, the team gave out tickets which can be redeemed for any game this season, but SPOILER ALERT: a return to Bristol is almost certainly not possible for me this year due to the distance and just how busy my schedule is this summer (there is ONE DAY that works for me but NOT for the team), so I gave my ticket to some other folks.

### MERCH

The merchandise tent is basically underneath the press box that connects left field to the main grandstand. While it largely carries nothing out of the ordinary for a baseball game, I did get a hoodie here with contrasting sleeves, which looks cool. While the Blues do not sell jerseys, they did have shirts the players typically wear for training/warmups, and I actually managed to snag one RIGHT as the store was shutting down (post-rain but before the announcement that the game was cancelled - there was a delay between the two).

I should mention, however, that I distinctly remember seeing information about the team running a physical retail store in "downtown" Bristol. I don't know if they still do this, however, as it's been SEVERAL years since the last time I saw anything about it. I DID see that they had a pop-up at some point in 2025, but I visited the place where said pop-up was and they had nothing (which honestly isn't too surprising given how small summer collegiate operations tend to be).

---

[^1]: There is (at least) one other summer league up in Maine (a member of [The Players League](2026-06-16_shashallywags)), but I've yet to see or hear much about it - though it's currently operating out of one singular stadium this year.

ESPN's HYPERlocal sports team - and a sad first

Bristol Blues (New England Collegiate Baseball League) @ Muzzy Field (Bristol, CT)


### _[2026: New Venue #24](/26in26list)_

Our story for today begins a few miles west of Hartford in Bristol, CT in 1973 (although it technically starts before this, but that part’s mostly irrelevant and kinda confusing). Six years before ESPN was created to broadcast Hartford Whalers games (look it up), the Boston Red Sox established a Double-A franchise - the Bristol Red Sox - at Muzzy Field. In 1983, the team moved east to New Britain, CT and became the New Britain Red Sox.

In 1995, faced with a substandard stadium and the opportunity for newer facilities for their prospects, the Red Sox moved their Double-A operations to Trenton, NJ ([the modern-day Thunder of the MLB Draft League](2025-08-15_trethunder)). Meanwhile, back in New Britain, the team was renamed to the "Hardware City Rock Cats" and became an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. In 1996, a new stadium was built for the Rock Cats adjacent to the old one (and "Hardware City" turned back into "New Britain"), and it became their home until 2015 - the same year the team switched affiliation to the Colorado Rockies.

In 2016, the team moved again - this time heading up Interstate 84 from New Britain to Connecticut’s capital: Hartford[^1]. I’m not fully sure why the team decided to make this move (though my guess is that it's either due to outdated facilities again or to try and attract fans from east of Hartford), but it came with a brand new stadium: Dunkin’ (Donuts) Park.

...or at least it was supposed to. However, the park wasn’t ready for 2016, so the Hartford Yard Goats spent that whole season as a traveling team with no home (as well as causing legal battles between the city of Hartford and the stadium builders). However, on April 13, 2017, the Yard Goats finally played their first game in Hartford, and things have been largely the same ever since. Despite the Rockies being...the Rockies, the move to Hartford seems to have worked, as the team has been in the top three of attendance every year since their stadium opened (including a few years as the league leaders), and in addition to the Yard Goats, the stadium has hosted a few [Cape Cod Baseball League](ccbl_overview) games (among other things).

![An image of Dunkin' Park](/images/2026/0628-dunkinpark.jpeg)

This is far and away the newest of the MiLB stadiums I've been to (it's the second newest in the Eastern League behind Richmond's shiny new stadium that just opened this year), and it's rather impressive IMO. The main concourse wraps fully around the field, but I must admit: it feels narrow in a few spots. I won't go over every single one of the party areas and beer in the stadium, but there are quite a few of them, and the seat I got for this game ended up being in a row ON the concourse. Several of the infield sections have a row on the concourse, and behind some of these rows are long "high top" seats which also have a table (I am NOT sure if these are typically "sold" however)

One thing here that I've not really noticed in MiLB: EXTENSIVE outfield seats. There's seats down both the left and right field lines, and while a decent, there's also upper deck seats that stretch essentially from center field towards the right field foul pole (which I don't think I've seen a Minor League stadium do). I thought about getting a seat here, but the lack of cover made me opt for a shaded seat (though I just so happened to scoop a t-shirt from the t-shirt toss in this area)[^3].

Similar to [Delta Dental Stadium](2026-04-06_nhfishercats) up in Manchester, this was a stadium where I’d been to the team store several times, but never been able to catch a game. It’s kinda sorta inconveniently far from BOTH Boston AND North Jersey, and Hartford...isn’t known as the best place in the world (fun fact: before settling on Trenton, the Red Sox almost moved to Springfield, MA - another city with a very much less-than-stellar reputation). However, since I’ve decided to try this whole _26 in 26_ thing this year, I felt it was FINALLY time to check out more than the team store.

Originally, this trip and the Fisher Cats game I went to back in April were going to be part of a full weekend trip to New England, but something came up that made the trip unfeasible (and I should note that this was NOT the weekend I ended up seeing the Fisher Cats). I thought about just going on the day I intended anyway (it's about two and a half hours, which is far but not the worst), but rain ended that idea, and after I was unable to go to a different game WHICH I BOUGHT A TICKET FOR[^4], this ended up being the game.

The good news for the Yard Goats: they only left two men on base!

The bad news: those two men left on base represented the ONLY two Yard Goats to reach, as the team's offense was shut down (no walks and 13 strikeouts) by the pitching of the visiting Portland Sea Dogs - proud Eastern League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox (2026 notwithstanding). As Hartford more or less sits on Connecticut's "Boston/New York dividing line", I should also note that there were seemingly a LOT of Red Sox fans in attendance, with Red Sox hats/shirts/jerseys VASTLY outnumbering Yankees and Mets ones (though I may have to eventually see the [Patriots](2026-04-17_sompatriots) visit to see how that flips when THEY'RE in town - but maybe not this year)[^5].

Also, since a lot of fans left early (again, 6-0 with only two baserunners on a fairly hot day) and there was more shade in the stands towards the end of the game, I saw the final inning from HERE:

![A photo of Dunkin' Park from behind home plate](/images/2026/0628-dunkinpark-frontrow.jpeg)

<figcaption>This goes FIRMLY against my "don't end up on a broadcast" rule, but I can't deny this is COOL</figcaption>

### MERCH

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been to the team store here several times - scooping several jerseys, a few hats, and a logo baseball. Notably, however, I have never bought a flex fit hat here in the Yard Goats’ main color scheme (blue and green); the flex fit Yard Goats hats I have came from local malls, and any flex fit hats I've gotten here are alt identities. Speaking of alt identities, I ended up getting a hat for a "new" one the team introduced this year: the Hartford Rock Cats (which feels like a slap in the face to New Britain in several ways).

The main store here is right next to the main gates of the stadium (which, again, are in right field). Unlike the Fisher Cats, it's on the concourse itself, so it's a bit easier to get to (one thing I have yet to mention: the main concourse is at STREET level, and the field is sunk into the ground). The team also has two other kiosks on the main concourse (one in the outfield, and another behind home plate) - though I feel like it's worth noting that I don't recall seeing jerseys or fitted hats at the kiosks (or any alt identity stuff).

---

One FINAL final note: on some level, this game was "unnecessary", as I have plans to come back in about a month's time. However, I still wanted to talk about the stadium PRIOR to that visit, as I REALLY want to focus on the game next time - partially as it involves a certain former Portland Sea Dog[^6]...

---

[^1]: New Britain's stadium was not left empty, however - more on that later.

[^2]: These two plus Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester represent the only Eastern League ballparks opened in the 21st century - and I don't believe any Eastern League teams are planning new stadiums right now.

[^3]: I also saw a t-shirt go OUT OF THE STADIUM and onto the nearby street.

[^4]: The ticket I originally got was part of the same deal I got my [2001 NYPL Ring Night](2026-06-26_bkncyclones3) ticket from.

[^5]: The Yard Goats' next home opponent after this game is the Mets' Eastern League affiliate FWIW - though I don't know how many Met fans exist in central Connecticut (I've largely been under the impression that it's mainly Red Sox/Yankees, with Met fans more likely to be near the coast/in [Bridgeport](2026-01-12_bptislanders)). However, I did see like three or four Yankees jerseys and exactly ONE Mets jersey at the game.

[^6]: It's also good that I found out how narrow the concourses are, as this game was apparently an overflow sellout, and my next visit is likely to be another...

Minor League Baseball in the "Hart" of Connecticut

Hartford Yard Goats (Eastern League) @ Dunkin’ Park (Hartford, CT)


I alluded to it back when I visited [Brooklyn FC’s women’s team](2025-11-09_bkfc), but the Cyclones won the South Atlantic League title last year (2025). However, I should probably go back a bit more - especially as one part is relevant.

As I mentioned when I talked about [my first visit back in April 2025](2025-08-09_bkncyclones), the Cyclones began playing in Brooklyn in 2001. However, the franchise was established (in the New York-Penn League) in St. Catherines, Ontario (on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls) in 1986 as a Blue Jays affiliate, then the team moved to Queens in 2000 (a year prior to what is now Maimonides Park opening) and spent a year at the baseball stadium of St. John's University. Another thing I forgot to mention last time: the Cyclones were consistently first in NYPL attendance - part of that likely due to their prime location in a summer tourist destination (as well as only playing in the summer months).

The last thing I should mention before talking about this game: the Cyclones won the final New York-Penn League title in 2019, but another thing I forgot to mention is that the team made the championship series in their first year in Brooklyn, won game one of the series...and then September 11th happened. All MiLB playoffs were cancelled, and the Cyclones were declared co-champions along with their opponent for that series (the Williamsport Crosscutters, who are now in the [MLB Draft League](2025-08-15_trethunder)). This is important because _this_ game was apparently the celebration of the first ever Cyclones season (on the 25th anniversary of the team's first game, which occurred on June 25, 2001). I say "apparently" because in all honesty...it didn't seem all that different from a "regular" Cyclones game. However, to commemorate the 2001 season/championship, the team gave away replicas of their NYPL championship ring from that year[^1], which is why I decided to go to this game - and thanks to a promotion back in late April, I got my ticket for just ten dollars![^2]

One thing that made getting here quite tricky, however: a very large soccer tournament whose name I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say legally (yes, I know this is more of a "personal" thing, but if I want to do any cool stuff in the future...). Due to said tournament, NJ Transit informed riders that if they didn't need to be on their trains when games were scheduled at ~~Metlife~~ New York/New Jersey Stadium, then they really should stay off the rails, as HIGH volume ridership was expected...and guess what was going on the day of this game? Because of this, I ended up opting to drive over - but unlike last time, NY Rush Hour was involved (aka the time when the Belt Parkway goes from "not great" to "NIGHTMARISH").

To my surprise, the drive over wasn't actually all that bad (home was a bit of a different story however), and I (intentionally) arrived about an hour BEFORE the gates opened. This allowed me to walk around a bit, and while there are aspects of the Coney Island boardwalk that I found kinda cool, the big thing I should mention the Wall of Remembrance: a monument to (what I think are) fallen 9/11 responders on the walls OUTSIDE Maimonides Park (that I forgot to get a photo of). Inside the stadium, it seemed that there were a few new concession changes, including the addition of something I don't recall seeing in my three visits last year: PIZZA. How they managed to not have that (seemingly) for YEARS is beyond me...

![A photo of Maimonides Park](/images/2026/0625-coneyisland.jpeg)

<figcaption>I gotta say: the lights of the attractions around the stadium are fun to watch at night</figcaption>

Sadly, the Cyclones have cycled from "SAL champions" to "kinda sorta bad" this year; they had the second worst record in the league heading into this game. In fairness, win-loss records aren't SUPER important in the Minor Leagues (given that the playoffs are viewed as more of a BURDEN than a reward), but with the Mets being...the Mets, it's not exactly great that the "alternative" is also struggling - and that after four good innings, their starter kinda sorta came apart and the team ended up losing to another team celebrating their 25th anniversary: the [Jersey Shore Blueclaws](2026-04-08_jsblueclaws2)[^3].

One final note: 

### MERCH

The team appears to have made some slight updates to their team store - either that or it's a bit better organized now. There was a special 25th anniversary jersey listed as the "item of the day", but if you were looking to get one in anything bigger than a size large, they were seemingly out (and they didn't have many larges either).

Also, they had an older version of their home jersey with "twill letters" (i.e. the ones that are raised above the jersey as opposed to sublimated into it). Alas, these were only available in 2XL and 3XL, plus the letters were not fully stitched onto the jersey.

---

[^1]: There was a separate night where the team was giving away 2025 championship rings, but that was during my week in the Carolinas (otherwise I would've STRONGLY considered going).

[^2]: I got a ticket to another game through this promo, but [I wasn't able to make it to the game](2026-06-29_hfdyardgoats). Alas, these were the only two games I ended up going for via this promo, as the other MiLB games I've been to this year either weren't listed as part of the promotion ([Myrtle Beach](2026-06-15_mbpelicans)), or happened prior to the promotion being announced (i.e. [Jersey Shore](2026-04-08_jsblueclaws2) and [Somerset](2026-04-17_sompatriots)).

[^3]: Fun fact: the BlueClaws are now 4-1 in games where I've seen them live (a doubleheader split [at home back in 2025](2025-08-08_jsblueclaws), a win over the [Hudson Valley Renegades last year](2025-08-10_hvrenegades), and then two wins this year - both against Brooklyn, who are 1-3 now when you consider THEM losing to the Renegades [near the end of last season](2025-09-01_bkncyclones2)).


A (supposedly) special night on Coney Island

Brooklyn Cyclones 2026 Edition


If you couldn't tell from the past few posts, collegiate summer baseball has expanded greatly in the Cape Fear area (i.e. southeastern North Carolina) in the past few years with the Old North State League adding a trio of teams: the [Shallotte Shallywags](2026-06-16_shashallywags), [Cape Fear Ghost Crabs](2026-06-17_cfghostcrabs), and [Oak Island Loggerheads](2026-06-19_okiloggerheads). However, these three don't represent the entire story of summer league baseball in this part of North Carolina, as there is one more team in the area - with much more history than the others.

The Coastal Plain League is another summer wood bat league (y'know, like the ONSL and the [Cape Cod Baseball League](ccbl_overview)) that was founded in 1997 by an executive who wanted summer baseball closer to his home (somewhere in the South I guess). Named after a former minor league, it has grown considerably in its almost three decades of existence, and for long time readers, I've actually mentioned it quite a few times around here already, as its teams have also spawned two “alternate” forms of baseball: Banana Ball (which has been featured on this blog [four](2025-08-23_bananaball_bos) [different](2026-04-25_bananaball_ny) [times](2026-04-27_bananaball_ny2) [before](2026-06-12_bananaball_js)) and [Cosmic Baseball](2026-05-15_cosmicbaseball).

Six teams were founded alongside the league: one of them being the Wilmington Sharks. As one of the founding members of the CPL, you may not be surprised to learn that they’re tied for the most championships in the league; however, what may surprise you is the years those titles were won: 1998, 1999, and then 2024[^1].

Like a lot of summer baseball teams, the Sharks play at what is essentially a community field. I couldn’t find any information on when Buck Hardee Field actually opened, but apparently it received its current name back in 1981. In all honesty, there isn’t much to say about the place as it’s very similar to other community fields (y’know, like the ones on Cape Cod), but one thing that is different from the Cape: I believe alcohol is available at a bar area down the right field line (in other words, it's very similar to [Bill Smith Park](2026-06-19_okiloggerheads)).

Unlike Oak Island, however, there is a very large reserved grandstand behind home plate, and while general admission seating is available, I THINK this grandstand is reserved seating only (i.e. you're not supposed to sit here on just a GA ticket). One other interesting note: similar to [Shallotte](2026-06-16_shashallywags) and Oak Island, the first and third base paths are part of the infield grass and not dirt basepaths.

If you've been reading the last few posts on this blog, then you're already aware of how my family does vacations down to the Carolinas every other year; however, what I didn’t mention is that the last two trips, I’ve done a day at a Sharks game. In fact, I WANTED to see the Sharks face the Bananas in 2022, but was unable to for multiple reasons (one of them being weather)[^2]. This year, I had a game during our week lined up for a visit, but then I found out about the Old North State League and the [Cape Fear Ghost Crabs](2026-06-23_cfghostcrabs), and since Wilmington is a bit of a hike from where we stay (among other things), I felt that only one trip would be feasible (that plus the game was at 10 AM on a rain-threatened day).

![A photo of Buck Hardee Field](/images/2026/ilmsharks.JPG)

Both times I’ve seen the Sharks live...they’ve lost. I can't recall too much of what happened in the first game, but the second game (from which the photo above was taken) ended early due to mercy rule. Had I gone to the game I intended to see, I would've seen a THIRD loss, as the Sharks lost to a team of players from a small summer league based in Myrtle Beach (the Beach Collegiate Baseball League - don't look them up on Yelp). However, I found out that they had a game at the same time as the Loggerheads game I went to, but I didn't even know about it until I was already at that game - though I felt fine skipping the Sharks for various reasons (even though Wilmington did win their game against the team that I saw beat them in 2024)[^3].

### MERCH

As I recall, merch is based in a small shack on the concourse. While it doesn’t stray far from your standard fare of hats, shirts, and baseball novelties, some of the more interesting things I've found here include a broken bat and a special anniversary shirt.

There is one unfortunate situation with the Sharks that I have to mention: I’ve found that hats are oddly hard to come by here. One year, I was told they were waiting on some players from the College World Series to arrive before they would sell hats, and the other time, only the largest size was available (which SORTA works for me, but I'm not a fan of it personally). Like some other summer league teams (i.e. several teams in the Cape League), the Sharks have the habit of changing their hats every year, which makes trying to pin them down more annoying. In fact, this difficulty in getting hats even extends to their online store: I tried ordering a hat one time only for them to email me saying the hat I ordered was sold out. However, I found out after I got back from the Loggerheads game that player hats were available online, so I decided to order some[^4].

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[^1]: It should be noted that the Savannah Bananas also have three CPL championships. That’s right: The Savannah Bananas were founded, won three league championships, and then LEFT the CPL between the Sharks’ second and third championship.

[^2]: According to one of the Ghost Crabs interns, the Sharks actually won a CPL marketing award in 2019 over Savannah.

[^3]: There was a Loggerheads game on the day after I COULD have gone to, but between being out basically every night plus the fact that it was our last night of vacation, I felt it wouldn't have been right (plus, again, I've seen the Sharks before).

[^4]: The Sharks have a couple of hat designs, but when I looked prior to the Loggerheads game, I only found one type of hat available, and it was only in size XL - slightly bigger than what I typically like.

Sportventures

Mo' Motown

Feeling Blue

The Kids in the Yard

25 Years

Wilmington Sharks