Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BROCKTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Thousands of Brockton elementary and middle school students spent a sunny, warm day at the ballpark Wednesday enjoying a baseball game instead of hitting the books.
The stands at Campanelli Stadium were nearly full for the matinee game between the Brockton Rox and the Down East Bird Dawgs, the first game in a scheduled doubleheader.
The Rox and the Bird Dawgs play in the Frontier League, a professional North American baseball league composed of 18 teams: 15 in the U.S., and three in Canada.
It was the first time many of the educators and students had ever been to a professional baseball game.
West Middle School teacher Ethan O'Rourke said kids and teachers have been looking forward to the game for a long time.
"A lot of them haven't been to a baseball game or a professional sports game before," he said. "They've really been looking forward to it."
Rox player Trey Ciulla-Hall is a former Brockton public school student.
He said playing this game was extra special for him. "It was really cool," he said. "I remember those days like it was yesterday. Me and my Dad, and my Mom. Coming to these games and enjoying myself. So, it's really humbling. It's a full circle moment for me to be out here playing ball for the kids and not just watching."
Sponsored by Eastern Bank, the game featured educational components including anti-bullying video messages from Rox players and lessons about how math and science relate to the game of baseball.
The game also unveiled a brand new Rox team mascot who appeared alongside the current team mascot K.O.
Brockton beat Down East 8-2.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.