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McCoy Stadium, home of the
Pawtucket Red Sox, swings for the fences when it comes to old-fashioned
fun, family-friendly baseball
by Eric H.
If you long for the old
days of going to a ballpark where prices are low, the spirit
high and the chance to have fun undeniable, then consider a visit
to McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. as part of your New England
travel.
Home to the Boston Red Sox' Triple
A minor league affiliate Pawtucket Red Sox, McCoy Stadium resides
in urban, gritty Pawtucket, R.I. The ride through this mid-sized
city does not exactly remind one of, say, Cape Cod, but once
you're at the stadium, the feeling of being in a baseball oasis
resonates like the wallop of a home run.
The free parking is a breeze
if you get there early enough, thanks to the large lot surrounding
the ballpark. Your good mood can be sustained upon approaching
the ticket booth (better yet, reserve to ensure getting a ticket)
where box seats cost $9.00, general admission $6.00 and senior
citizen and children's tickets (ages 12 and under) $4.00. Therefore,
there is no need to contact your mortgage company to get a loan
to watch a baseball game.
Better yet is the inside where
the 1998-99 renovations (the ballpark was originally built in
1941) have created a spacious, family, fan friendly masterpiece
where the 10, 031 seating capacity provides comfort and good
views, easy access to the modern concession stands and get this,
clean restroom facilities. The outfield fences go no more
than 375 ft., thus creating an intimate, watchable setting.
The efforts put into making McCoy Stadium a world-class place
to watch minor league baseball was confirmed by the record-breaking
688,421 fans who attended this perfectly manicured baseball ballpark
during the 2005 season.
The glory of watching players
generally try their best -- because they want to make it to the
majors -- makes for a modern day revelation in a greedy, it's-all-about-the-money
player-agent mentality that many times impedes the major leagues
and hurts the fan's pocketbook. On the contrary, McCoy Stadium
makes you feel right at home because the emphasis is on baseball.
Imagine that!
The spirit of minor league baseball
does seem at its apex at McCoy Stadium because the layout is
well thought out, good security watches out for any bad fan elements,
and that the food is above average, as much as hot dogs, popcorn
and other beloved American food and drinks can be. Further enhancing
the experience centers on the parent Boston Red Sox' recent vision
-- under the guidance of General Manager Theo Epstein -- to build
up the farm system. Unbeknown to former Red Sox generations who
had to watch slow, white first baseball and injury prone outfielders
promoted as prospects, this era can watch some of the best prospects
in all of minor league baseball. Infielder Dustin Pedroia and
pitchers Jon Lester and Craig Hanson are prime examples of this
new Red Sox paradigm.
Family nights with different
themes abound at McCoy Stadium, and the gift shop is modern,
well laid out with reasonably priced merchandise. The great city
of Providence is minutes away, providing great after game activities
or dining, particularly a trip to the colorful Italian Federal
Hill to grab some of the best pizza in New England (Sicilia's
is the best choice here).
McCoy Stadium makes for a wonderful
family event, proving old-fashioned ways combined with modern
amenities brings the best of both worlds to baseball fans searching
for the purity of America's Pastime. It is right here at McCoy
Stadium, a New England baseball landmark and a great American
ballpark.
Pawtucket
Red Sox, Ben Monor Way,
Pawtucket, R.I. Tel. 401/724-7300.
Related articles: The
magic of Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox
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