When I walked into Longplex last winter, my first reaction was “Wowza!” If you haven’t been, make a trip out to Tiverton to check out this massive indoor sports complex. You won’t be disappointed. Great to see The RI Rays and Ocean State Makos team practices while I was visiting that day.

Bryant University vs University of Rhode Island, Saturday March 13th. Their seasons cut short in 2020, these Rhode Island and national powerhouse D1 Baseball programs were off and running and both enjoyed incredible seasons.

Call it bad timing but every time I would head over to Riverside Little League to check out the field, the front gates were locked. I happened to be in Riverside this afternoon, April 3rd, and watched a youth baseball game on the back field. So my timing was right that day!

Similar to URI, Bryant and other RI collegiate baseball programs, Salve Regina University was back playing baseball for the first time in almost a year. I stopped by and watched a game from the perimeter of Reynolds Field, as were the instructions of the school. 4 fans watching the game from a stone wall across the street snapped this photo for me, Saturday April 17th.

I absolutely love neighborhood, community ball parks. And it is especially cool for me to honor and promote the great work volunteers, like those at Warren Little League, who upgrade facilities, hang sponsorship banners, run the concession stands, and devote their free time so others can have a positive experience.

I was invited to the Pawtucket Slaterettes’ Opening Day ceremony at the Boys and Girls Club, Pawtucket Saturday May 15th. It was a bright sunny day with wonderful speeches, the national anthem sung by a former Slaterette player, and just tons of positive energy for girls and women’s baseball here in Rhode Island.

Senior Day/Night is always special and emotional. I went to an extra special Senior Night at Cranston Stadium, Monday May 31st featuring Cranston East vs Cranston West. The stadium was packed with friends and family from both schools, many of them grew up together and had played with/against each other since Tee Ball.

The Ocean State Waves, having no season in 2020, rolled into Fitch Field to play the Mystic Schooners in New England Collegiate Baseball League play, Sunday June 6th. It was an incredible night of baseball and reminded everyone in attendance how incredibly talented the NECBL players are.

With all due respect to this list of experiences, this may be #1 for me. It was the best game I saw in 2021 and it featured Coventry High School vs Central High School. An extra inning game with home runs, both starting pitchers giving their all on the mound, key defensive saves, and more heart and hustle and energy than I can even write about.

Ramon de Los Santos invited me to join him and others for a send off practice for his little brother, Anderson de Los Santos at Davis Park, Providence, Friday July 16th. Anderson had just been signed by the Atlanta Braves organization and his club team, Providence Sports and Leadership held a press conference/practice for the Central High School shortstop. Anderson was on his way to one of the Braves minor league teams that next day.

Through a parent and a co-worker, I learned about Fall River’s Axis Bat Company and owner Lou Ledoux. Lou and I chatted about baseball bats, family, the Red Sox, and so much more during my visit to his Anawan Street location in Fall River. What an incredible bat company and an ever more incredible owner, Mr. Lou Ledoux!