Campanelli Stadium
Brockton, MA
Review by Gary
Campanelli Stadium is the home of the Brockton Rox of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. Beginning in 2024, the ballpark became a two-team venue, hosting both the longtime resident amateur team and the professional New England Knockouts of the independent Frontier League.
While Brockton native Alfred Campanelli’s contribution to build a baseball stadium for the locals was generous, it appears on the surface that very little funds have been allocated for its upkeep since it was built in 2002. Peeling fence paint, cracked steps, a closed gift shop and missing Hall of Fame monument signs all indicate neglect. To see what plaques WERE on the HOF wall, visit our friends at intheballparks.com for a look.
A recent coat of Green Monster-colored paint on the main press box with the slick Rox logo nicely accents the mostly red individual seating found in the stands below, but lacked the cool Knockout logo. The Rox and Knockouts monikers refer to Brockton’s favorite son, heavyweight boxer Rocky “The Brockton Rock” Marciano and adopted pugilist, “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, both of whom called the “City of Champions” home at some point in their lives. The two fighters are honored on the centerfield wall with retired jerseys showing their birth years as their numbers.
The Knockouts were originally (and very temporarily) going to be called the Chowdahheads after winning a fan vote, but apparently the fans and business owners who did not cast the same ballot took umbrage with the winner and a new name was quickly chosen. So much for democracy.
Residents of Campanelli Stadium have been known as the Rox since their inception, despite playing in three different leagues since 2002 when they joined the Northern League. The Rox moved to the Northeastern League (2003-2004) followed by the Can-Am League (2005-2011) and have played in the FCBL since 2012.
Free parking can be found at the adjacent high school where Marciano’s fenced in statue greets the students. All fans must scale a nearly 2-story staircase or take elevators to reach the main concourse of Campanelli Stadium before descending back down to their individual fixed seats as the playing field is on the same level as the grounds outside the seating bowl.
A shuffleboard court is painted on the concourse on the third base side with a small picnic area, but none of the dozens of fans in attendance on this steamy June Sunday afternoon seemed to be interested in anything but the game. After all, most of the folks were parents of the college players competing on the diamond.
2024
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