No trip to the Cape Cod area would be complete without stopping in Rhode Island to see the Pawtucket Paw Sox, the Boston Red Sox Triple A affiliate. With talk circling in recent years that the Red Sox are looking for a new stadium for their Triple A team, it was a priority to stop in and see McCoy Stadium while it still stands. The stadium is certainly a sight to see and pretty unique compared to the more modern parks I’ve grown accustomed too in recent years. Completed in 1946, McCoy Stadium has been the home to Bostons top minor league team since 1969.
Although I can appreciate a good classic style ballpark, it was pretty obvious to me why there is interest in replacing McCoy with a new facility. It certainly lacked the more modern amenities that are common in ballparks these days, especially those on the Triple A level. The neighboring area was pretty bland and didn’t have any kind of draw to keep you in or around the park before or after a game. It was packed in a section of Pawtucket with both residential and industrial facilities, and not much more. It was also right across the street from a middle school, and located smack dab next to a running track, which I don’t believe was part of the nearby school. It took up land which in an ideal situation, could be used for new development to make the ballpark more of a destination.
The most unique feature of McCoy Stadium in my mind was setup of the field and dugouts. The stands were probably 10 feet above the field and the team dugouts were directly underneath the stands, and not out in front of the stands and separated like most every other park. It was different, yet cool. Certainly not something that you would see built in a newer park. McCoy Stadium has seats for over 10,000 people, which is actually more than I expected. The stands on the right side of the park do not extend past first base, unlike the left field side where the stands extend down the line past third base. Their is a smaller section of stands in the outfield, and a large lawn covered berm to help pack in the fans for popular games. The stadium and seating areas are rather simple, but expected with a stadium of that age.
Overall, it was a great time at McCoy. The stadium may be old and its life expectancy as a minor league park limited, but it was great to see and fun to experience.
