Fields of Expertise: John Kasian Has Mastered His Role of Managing Fraser and Manning Fields

Lynn1When the Fisher College baseball team plays its first home game Thursday at Fraser Field, Lynn’s John Kasian will be front and center monitoring the proceedings on and off the field.

Kasian, 54, who works in the Lynn Office of Community Development, is the facilities manager for Fraser Field and Manning Field, meaning he is the scheduler, administrator, and overseer for the 150 events that will take place at the two fields through the summer.

This spring Kasian and the city have welcomed a new partner as KIPP Academy of Lynn has joined the four other high schools, Classical, English, Tech, and St. Mary’s, in hosting their home baseball games at Fraser Field. The North Shore Navigators will play their 30 home games at Fraser in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League.

Manning Field will begin hosting high school lacrosse games and track meets next week. There are also junior high track meets, Lynn youth flag football league games, adult soccer programs, two drum and bugle concerts, and the granddaddy of high school football all-star games – the Agganis Football Classic – on the busy schedule. The North Shore Generals semi-professional football team takes the field in late July.

Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) officials obviously like what’s been happening at Fraser and Manning Fields during Kasian’s tenure.

The MIAA hosts state tournament baseball games at Fraser and soccer and football playoff games at Manning. The Northeastern Conference will hold its freshman-sophomore and all-conference meets at Manning.

Jeffrey Newhall, director of athletics at St. Mary’s and the North Soccer tournament director, understands the importance of having a highly respected and well-organized administrator like Kasian in such a vital role for the city.

“John does a great job managing the two facilities which is such an important position in terms of high school sports,” said Newhall. “With the two outstanding facilities we have, it was crucial to have someone who has a knowledge of sports and a familiarity with the city at the helm and John was the perfect choice. Take a look at the great condition Manning Field is in. It still looks brand new and that’s a credit to John and the workers who maintain the facility.”

Kasian is well known to Lynn sports fans. He is a former president and coach in the Greater Lynn Babe Ruth baseball and softball organization and a visible figure at all Lynn high school games.

Kasian is quite proud of the two fields under his jurisdiction.

“I think they are the finest facilities in the area,” said Kasian. “We’ve seen some great regional competition because we’ve hosted post-season baseball, football, and soccer on a regular basis.”

Kasian said the city will be replacing the existing synthetic turf on the Fraser infield and expand it to include the infield dirt, baselines, and home plate area.

“It’s going to increase play in the spring and reduce maintenance costs in the long haul,” said Kasian.

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