Diego D.V.

St Peter’s Field of Dreams

Diego D.V.
Anglophone South School District Regional Heritage Fair – Hampton
Hampton, NB

St. Peter’s Field has been part of the Saint John community for more than 100 years. Through my research, I learned that baseball was played on the grounds as the early 1900s and that the field became an important gathering place for youth, families and athletes. One of the most interesting discoveries was that the Cuban National Baseball Team played at St. Peter’s in 1976. My father’s childhood baseball idol came with the team and played in that game. The field also hosted community events and generations of local baseball players. 

Key people in my project included Father William Hogan, who helped establish the field, members of the Friends of St. Peter’s Field volunteer group, local historians, and community leaders working to save the ballpark today. This project is also my contribution to the current revitalization project. 

My final answer to the main question is that St. Peter’s is much more than a baseball field. It is an important part of Saint John’s history and identity. Preserving it helps to protect the local heritage and ensures future generations can create their own memories there.

What sources and evidence did you consult for your project? What different perspectives did they provide on your topic?

I used historical newspaper articles, photographs, maps, city documents, church archives, baseball records and interviews with local historians. It helped me understand how the field was used over time and highlighted important events. Photographs showed how the ballpark and surrounding community changed through the decades. Historians and local residents provided personal stories and memories that brought the history to life. 

These sources offered different perspectives. Some focused on sports history, others on community life and others on the challenges of bringing it back to life after 10 years since it was decommissioned in 2016.

What is the historical significance of your topic?

St. Peter’s Field provided young people with a place to play different sports and it was also a gathering place for the North End over the last century. In the short term, it served as a community space and home to many local teams and events. In the long term, it became a symbol of neighbourhood pride and an important part of Saint John’s sporting and cultural heritage. 

Thousands of players, families, and community members have been impacted by the field over the past century. As time went by, the field faced challenges and risked being forgotten. However, the current revitalization effort is helping restore the site and ensure it remains available for the future. The project is an example of how communities can come together to protect important historical places. 

Why did you choose this topic? 

I chose this topic because I am part of the group: Friends of the St Peter’s field, and I wanted to use this opportunity to help raise awareness about our current efforts. By diving into the history of the field, I was surprised to discover how much important events have happened there.