It's been a few days since I posted because of a crazy week at work. To be honest, the last thing I want to do after staring at a computer for 11-12 hours is come home and stare at a computer.
I thought I would spend the next few days talking about one of my favorite topics, ballparks. I have been to something like 40 major and minor league ballparks. I'll talk about a few per post and give you a few brief impressions of each.
McCoy Stadium, Pawtucket Red Sox: If there was a ballpark I would call home, it would be McCoy Stadium. I grew up about a mile and a half from the home of the Pawsox, and my first vivid memory of a professional baseball game is seeing Jim Rice hit a long home run there in 1974. I was too young to realize that McCoy had gotten a bit run-down when I first started going, but I now appreciate the glittering jewel of a ballpark the late Ben Mondor, Mike Tamburro and the rest of the Pawsox staff have turned it into.
Alumni Stadium, Lowell Spinners: The Spinners started out at the UMass Lowell ballpark until LeLacheur Park was built. Alumni Stadium didn't have a lot of fancy amenities, but it was a nice enough place to watch a ballgame on a summer evening.
Wahconah Park, Pittsfield Mets: I have a personal history with this ballpark, which you can read about in great detail if you search my old blog during 2004. Or check out Jim Bouton's book Foul Ball: My Life and Hard Times Trying to Save an Old Ballpark plus Part II. I'm mentioned on page 434.
Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field, Worcester Tornadoes: A charming little ballpark at Holy Cross College, it has great sightlines, a fine beer selection and a fun team to watch. It won't be the same without Rich Gedman managing the Tornadoes this season, though.
More tomorrow!
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