Nice start for the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League): despite controversy and lawsuits surrounding the team’s new home, Provident Bank Park opened last night with a sellout crowd, a Boulders win and lots of happy fans.
It sounds like a typical opening for the ballpark: almost everything was completed in time for the season opener, save some small things (like distance markers on the outfield home-run fence). And, in typical fashion, all the acrimony that had split residents over the funding method for the ballpark — the city’s economic-development agency pushed construction after city voters rejected ballpark funding in a referendum — pretty much disappeared when the first pitch was thrown. Baseball is a sport that can bring people together, and it sounds like that’s exactly what happened last night at Provident Bank Park.
And, of course, a 3-1 win over the Brockton Rox didn’t hurt, either.
RELATED STORIES: New for 2011: Provident Bank Park; Ramapo ballpark construction resumes; city faces fines; State shuts down Ramapo ballpark construction — again; Lawsuit filed to prevent new Ramapo ballpark; Opponents of Ramapo ballpark to file suit; Ramapo ballpark moves forward; lawsuit threatened; Meanwhile, in the Can-Am League….; After voter rebuke of public funding, Ramapo looks to private sector; Consultant: New Ramapo ballpark has good chance of turning profit; Ownership emerges for Ramapo Can-Am team; Citizens seek public vote on new Ramapo ballpark; Miles Wolff: Can-Am Association eager for Ramapo team; New ballpark pitched in Ramapo for Can-Am team
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