For the love of the Hearts of Pine! | Opinion
Maine’s Hearts of Pine draw record crowds at Fitzpatrick Stadium, even as the team struggles on the field
Portland, Maine – The Hearts of Pine, a professional football club in its second season, are turning up in force at Fitzpatrick Stadium this year, even though the team has lost the majority of its games. The club’s growing fan base has outpaced attendance figures from the franchise’s 2022 playoff run, according to a statement released by club spokesperson Dr. Dora Anne Mills, a public‑health physician and long‑time resident of Maine.
A season of losses but steady support
The Hearts of Pine finished the regular season with a record that left them off the playoff picture. Despite the lack of victories, the club’s average attendance was higher than the record set during the 2022 season, when the team’s unexpected run to the playoffs drew a surge of new supporters. Dr. Mills told Maine News Now that “if you want a measure of a community’s health, you can’t find a better one than a city that packs the stands for its team through thick and thin.”
Fitzpatrick Stadium, a 5,300‑seat venue that opened in 2010, has hosted the club’s home games at the end of the season and during the winter months when the team does not play. The stadium’s location in downtown Portland has made it a central gathering place for local fans, and the club reports a steady increase in ticket sales since its inaugural season in 2022.
A name rooted in local heritage
The club’s name – Hearts of Pine – is derived from the heartwood of the pine tree, a symbol of resilience and strength. The term “heartwood” refers to the dense, inner part of a tree that is built up over years of growth and weathering. Club founders said that the name was chosen to reflect the character of Mainers and the community’s ability to persevere through challenges.
The nickname “Hearts” also pays tribute to Portland’s “Valentine’s Day Bandit,” a local figure who has distributed paper hearts around the city each February for decades. The bandit’s tradition, according to club officials, is meant to remind residents that love and community are present even in difficult times.
An anthem that echoes history
At the start of each game, the team sings “The Ballad of the 20th Maine.” The song, an ode to the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment that fought at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, is performed by a choir of fans and players alike. The club’s leadership has said that the anthem was chosen to honor Maine’s military heritage and to instill a sense of pride among supporters. The 20th Maine is remembered not for the initial conditions of the battle but for their determination and the way they finished the fight.
Community and resilience in the face of adversity
Dr. Mills compared the Hearts of Pine’s perseverance to that of the Boston Red Sox, who endured 86 years of losing seasons before breaking the “Curse” in 2004. “We are learning that the lessons of losing seasons are where the real growth happens,” she said. “The heartwood of a tree is built over hard seasons, and the Hearts of Pine are still growing, ring by ring.”
In an interview, Dr. Mills also noted the emotional resonance that the club’s culture has generated among the community. “We’re seeing people who come from all walks of life, bringing scarves and voices and neighbors who’ve never attended a game before,” she said. “That is a sign of a community that cares about more than just wins and losses.”
Looking ahead
The Hearts of Pine are entering the offseason with a renewed sense of purpose. While the club does not yet have a championship on the horizon, the management and players remain focused on building a strong foundation for future success. Dr. Mills said, “We are hoping to bring the same love and enthusiasm to the next season and perhaps, one day, lift a trophy. But the sweetest part will be that we were there for all of it, singing the ballad in the rain and holding the line together.”
As the club continues to grow its fan base and deepen its ties to Portland’s heritage, the Hearts of Pine look set to remain a staple of Maine’s sporting landscape for years to come.
