Perhaps 1999 will be the year area sports fan develop an even deeper
appreciation for minor league sports – an industry that thrives in the
Ocean State.
After all, Mo Vaughn is gone. Robert Kraft is moving the New England
Patriots from Foxboro – a 20-minute drive from the Rhode Island border –
to Hartford. Kenny Anderson, the starting point guard for the Boston
Celtics, is distraught because he may have to sell one of his nine
luxury cars to tighten his budget during the National Basketball
Association work stoppage.
Looking for professional sports sanity? Try Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Yes, it appears that southern New England baseball fans will again be
turning to an old friend for comfort in 1999, Ben Mondor and his
Pawtucket Red Sox.
While the Boston Red Sox have been deconstructing – the Pawtucket Red
Sox have been busy building a new McCoy Stadium – one that will be ready
for the team’s home opener, Wed., April 14 against the Rochester Red
Wings.
The bad news coming out of Fenway Park this off-season has been that
ticket prices are going up dramatically. Vaughn plays for the Anaheim
Angels and Red Sox management is convinced that Troy O’Leary, Trot Nixon
and Jose Offerman will strike fear into opposing pitchers. The good news
out of Beantown was not available as this issue of PBN went to press.
The bad news out of Pawtucket this off-season is that the Pawtucket Red
Sox are increasing ticket prices by $1. Box seats will now cost $7 or
less than a movie at the Showcase, and general admission for adults will
be $5. Children and senior citizens will pay $4 to see a game.
The good news out of Pawtucket this off-season is that the team is busy
rebuilding McCoy Stadium.
The $16 million renovation project will help the Pawtucket Red Sox
comply with a Major League Baseball mandate that all AAA Class clubs
play in stadiums with a seating capacity of at least 10,000. McCoy
Stadium was built in 1942, although the Pawtucket Red Sox didn’t start
playing there until 1973. The new stadium will have more seating,
parking, concessions and an assortment of modern amenities.
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait until spring for professional sports
excitement in Rhode Island.
Minor league hockey is also soaring. After a less than spectacular
season last year, the Providence Bruins have a new coach — Peter
Laviolette — and a new attitude. As the holidays arrived, the team was
in first place in its division and on at least two occasions in recent
weeks, sold out the Providence Civic Center.
