The first weeks in June are big ones for Boston-area baseball fans as the Red Sox hit their stride, the Brockton Rox settle into their schedule, the Cape Cod Baseball League begins play, and the Lowell Spinners get a roster. And if that’s not enough for you, then take a drive to Portland to see the Double-A Sea Dogs, to Pawtucket for the Triple-A Red Sox, or to Worcester for the independent Tornadoes. Major, minor, indy, and college ball: we certainly have it all!
- Boston: After a horrible start, the Red Sox now playing well and are neatly tucked in behind the Yankees and Rays, who today share a four-game lead over the Olde Towne Team. Ordinarily, a deficit of that size in early June isn’t a concern. But having to leapfrog two such good teams makes a division crown unlikely, even if the wild card remains a distinct possibility. Either way, the Sox game broadcasts recently started including ads for ticket sales and the once-forgotten phrase “good seats are still available.” So if you haven’t been to Fenway Park – or simply haven’t been there lately – now may be the time to go.
- Brockton: The independent Rox began play at the end of May and are bunched up with most of the rest of the Can-Am League a handful of games behind first-place Quebec. The club features the league’s home run hitter in the person of right fielder Keith Brachold and today is coming off a loud 14-2 win over in-state rival Pittsfield. They play their home games at intimate Campanelli Stadium off Route 123 in Brockton (take Exit 17A off Route 24), and it’s worth every minute of the short ride south to see them.
- Cape League: Now in its 126th season (by official count, anyway), the Cape League is the country’s premier summer college circuit and features a very high percentage of next year’s MLB draft class. Playing a 44-game schedule, the nation’s best prospects – including the Red Sox’s third 2010 pick, Anthony Ranaudo, who has joined the Brewster Whitecaps in the hopes of earning a bigger signing bonus – compete not only for a championship, but for the attention of the scores of major league scouts who will soon be on hand. Everybody hustles, it’s as family friendly as can be, and you can’t beat the price (pass the hat). So take a drive over the bridge, and enjoy the game in its finest form.
- Lowell: And speaking of the draft … this is where most of the players taken – especially those coming out of college – will play their summer ball. It’s the first rung on the organizational ladder, and while most on the roster today won’t make it all the way to the majors, the fun (for us) is trying to figure out who will. Current Sox Clay Buchholz, Jonathan Papelbon, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis all did, as did Marlins star Hanley Ramirez and such other big league notables as Adam Everett, David Eckstein, and Freddy Sanchez. Add to this the fact that LeLacheur Field is a terrific place to watch a game, and there’s no excuse not to go. (Except maybe for the fact that tickets are extremely hard to come by!)
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