How do you like that play on words? Wind-day/Windy, pretty good for a Monday morning, right? Well, the wind was a factor all weekend long and I felt it attending games on Sunday afternoon. And I have to say, I did not dress warmly enough for April because my face and hands were beat red from the cold temps. Despite all the windy conditions, I was able to get up to Providence’s Johnson and Wales University and out to Pawtucket’s Slater Park to watch some baseball. Here is a photo recap of the games I attended.
Game 1 of the Sunday Doubleheader featured JWU vs Lasell University.
My phone’s weather app showed 55° but with the wind it felt more like 35° to be honest. I snagged a few photos next to the visitor’s dugout behind home plate.
This cat (Wildcat) was pretty cool. He/she was banging on the fence next to the JWU dugout, encouraging the team throughout the game.
JWU players from Rhode Island making a contribution in Game 1 – Starter Jake McDonough, Smithfield went 4 innings and Nicholas Forte, Cranston West, went 1-3 with 1RBI.
Lasell University has a ton of RI baseball players on their roster. Two made an impact on Sunday’s Game 1 – Pierce Clarke, Middletown started at 1st base, went 1-4; and Vaun Larisa, Lincoln started at 3rd base, then went to the mound, pitched 2IP, and got the Save.
From the Johnson and Wales Providence campus, I took the 20 minute drive up to Slater Memorial Park in Pawtucket. A quick glance over at McCoy Stadium as I drove down Pond St to connect with Columbus Avenue, then right onto Newport Avenue, then left into Slater Park. The Ocean State Bandits 14U club was playing at Slater Park’s McConnon Field and I stopped in to check out the game. I found a spot behind home plate in the bleachers. And found out very quickly that Slater Park was just as windy as JWU’s campus.
The Bandits game was a 9 inning scrimmage against The Strike Zone. According to my GameChanger app, the 14U Ocean State Bandits start AAU league play on Sunday April 22nd vs the DirtDawgs. I watched a few innings of play from behind home plate. The sun was trying to peek through the clouds but the story of the day was definitely the wind! Still, it was great to see some top baseball talent on display up at Slater Park on Sunday.
Good rule of thumb, wear multiple layers in the Spring when attending games. The forecast may say “Sunny” or “Partly Cloudy” with temps in the 50s, but the wind can knock those temperatures down into the 40s real quick. Great to see a live game at JWU in Providence, chat with a few parents and the Wildcat mascot. And to get up to Pawtucket’s Slater Park to watch the Ocean State Bandits 14U team compete.
The Rhiter 
Great stuff Noel…You’re the hardest working guy in baseball! But, we all know it’s really not work for you…
Great information and we are lucky to have you in Rhody!
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I’ll say it was cold at Slater Park!! That wind was brutal. I don’t know how both teams played as well as they did with the wind taking the ball. Looking forward to much more baseball but warmer days!!
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