Whether it be living and dying with the Red Sox, or basking in the warm summer sun during a minor league matinee, baseball is an enduring summer tradition in New England. You’re bound to find the unmistakable ambiance of the game at the following spots.
Cape Cod Baseball League — Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023, this collegiate, wooden-bat league is a great way to witness rising, baseball talent (there are more 350 active Cape Cod Baseball League alumni playing in the major leagues each season, and more than 1,600 all-time) in a relaxed setting. The intimate nature of the games allows spectators to get up close to the action and interact with the players. Pop a lawn chair in y Orleans, Harwich, and Chatham this summer. Season begins on June 12. See web site for a complete schedule of games. Admission, as always, is free. www.capecodbaseball.org
Polar Park, Worcester, Mass. — It’s been a few years now since the Red Sox moved their Triple-A team from Pawtucket, R.I. to Worcester’s Polar Park, a state-of-the-art facility with a vibrant atmosphere. If you’re in town when the “WooSox” are away, a visit to Polar is still a worthwhile endeavor. Tours of the ballpark are available on both game days and off days. Polar is the latest ballpark to come from the minds of Larry Lucchino and Janet Marie Smith, whose resumes both include Fenway Park’s renovations in addition to beloved stadiums such as Petco Park in San Diego and Camden Yards in Baltimore. Tickets start at $9. www.polarpark.com
Centennial Field, Burlington, Vt. — Centennial Field is one of the oldest baseball fields still in use. Located on the campus of the University of Vermont, the field officially opened in 1906 and has been the home to a number of baseball teams over the decades, including its current occupants, the Lake Monsters, a team that plays in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. The historical experience here is worth the price of a ticket alone, allowing fans to be able to enjoy the game from a close perspective. Grandstand tickets are only $9. Sit right behind home plate for $10. www.lakemonsters.com