There is a culinary specialty at Red Wilson Field — and it’s not the famous Y-D donut burger — it’s taquitos. Specifically, chicken taquitos from the kitchen of Mary Jane Brindamour whose backyard is a mere 20 feet from the center field fence. With lawn chairs set up in a row and a table in the middle filled with snacks for players and interns to enjoy across the board, the “center field lady” is a fan favorite.

But she’s not just known for the taquitos she provides to spectators, kids hunting for foul balls or players tasked with the 50/50 raffle, she’s a mainstay in the Y-D community having hosted players for years on end. Her culinary generosity is just a small fraction of her giving heart and impact on the East Division-leading Y-D Red Sox. Nestled comfortably in center field, Brindamour recalls her first season with the Y-D Red Sox, serving more as a fan simply watching the game she loved from the comfort of her home.

“We bought the house in October 2000, so 2001 was my first season. That year, I was getting a feel for what this league was all about. But that year, we got friendly with the center fielder. We were talking to him through the fence. At the end of the season, he brought me a signed bat. We wished him good luck back at school and all that. Then he got drafted the next year by the Cleveland Indians, now the Guardians. That’s what started it all.”

The year after that, Brindamour made an effort to become friendly with all three outfielders.

“They used to come over all the time after games and I would feed them,” Brindamour laughed.

And so, Brindamour's table was always set, and the players' bellies were always full of delicacies ranging from lobster to tacos, chicken, veggie platters — you name it. Word began to spread about the fine dining experience, causing more and more players to stop by.

“My parents owned a restaurant when I was a kid, and I went to school for Hotel Administration. I've always been in the hospitality business. We just started having friends over for games, and of course, you have to have snacks, right?” Brindamour laughed. “When everyone was coming by selling 50/50 tickets, we'd say, ‘Grab something on your way.’ Now, it's all about having food for the kids.”

With a small opening in the center field fence and a group of hungry interns always making their rounds, it became known that the best way to get a late-inning snack was to befriend the "Y-D center field lady.” Eventually, Brindamour's love for the Y-D Red Sox led her to take on a new role with the team. She went from feeding the players to now opening her home to a few for the summer.

Having hosted notable Cape League names in recent years, and currently hosting Phoenix Call, a shortstop from UCLA, Brindamour prides herself on ensuring that her summer sons feel the same support they would back at home. Although he’s 3,000 miles from his home in California, Call couldn't be more grateful to Brindamour for giving him a new sense of home on the East Coast. When asked for insight on what it means to live under a loving roof, Call couldn't help but smile and say:

“It’s hard being away from home, you know, but it's nice to have that support system when I'm away from my family. She makes it really easy. She's super supportive, and she's always there for me. It's nice to have her tell me how proud she is of me.”

Brindamour’s impact on the players extends beyond her own belief, serving as a friendly face that fans and interns can look forward to running into while at Red Wilson Field. Good food and great banter are expected when Brindamour is set up in her lawn chairs. Call agreed with this statement, emphasizing that it was common knowledge that her love for her summer sons extends far beyond her backyard.

“She does a lot for the team and the league, not just me. She’s a board member for Y-D and I know that she takes great pride in that. I see how much dedication and commitment she puts into Y-D, so we all know that she means a lot to the team. Myself and the team know that she's a really special person, and it's awesome to see and be a part of that.”

Brindamour's legacy in the center field of Red Wilson Field goes far beyond her culinary skills; it embodies the warmth and comfort of her home. She exemplifies the profound impact that host families and fans have on the Cape Cod Baseball League. From players and fans to interns, individuals like Brindamour form the foundation upon which the league stands, demonstrating that the league's success is rooted not just in talent, but the people off the field.

Photo by Kyndall Williams