Campanelli Stadium - Brockton Rox
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
Campanelli Stadium 700 Belmont St Brockton, MA 02301
Brockton Rox website Campanelli Stadium website
Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 4,750
A Campanelli Comeback
Campanelli Stadium is named for Alfred Campanelli, who donated two million dollars to the City of Brockton for a project that would “substantially benefit the people of Brockton.” The city used this money to build the ballpark that would bear his name in 2002.
Campanelli Stadium serves as home to the Brockton Rox, who played for ten years in the independent Can-Am League and its predecessors. Since 2012 the Rox have played in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, a wooden bat summer league featuring primarily players with New England ties. The Rox were originally planning to play only a single season as an amateur team while they straightened out their finances, but 2023 marks the team’s twelfth season in the Futures League.
The name “Rox” is a derivative of the nearby Boston Red Sox, as well as Brockton native Rocky Marciano’s name.
The Futures League has given new life to many abandoned ballparks throughout New England. In addition to Brockton, former professional ballparks in Burlington, Nashua, New Britain, Norwich, Pittsfield and Worcester are part of the circuit.
Food & Beverage 3
Concessions at Campanelli Stadium have undergone many changes over the years since the team left the professional ranks, mostly in the form of downsizings due to the smaller crowds present for summer college ball. The 2023 season has seen massive improvements to the concessions experience, with the addition of new equipment, a POS system and the hiring of a new executive chef.
There are concession stands on either side of the ballpark, but for most Rox games, only the stand on the third base side is open. All your ballpark basics can be found here, including hot dogs, burgers, sausage sandwiches, pizza slices and chicken fingers. Assorted snacks, including nachos, french fries, peanuts and popcorn can be found here as well. Ice cream is sold from a small stand next to the main concession stand.
Bottled Pepsi products are featured at Campanelli Stadium. Fans looking for adult beverages can select from a wide variety of drinks, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light and Truly Hard Seltzers. Craft beer fans will find a nice selection of brews from nearby Brockton Beer Company.
Atmosphere 3
The centerpiece of the gameday experience at a Rox game is undoubtedly the brand new, state of the art video board, which sits in left-center field. While it may be underutilized compared to other similar boards of its type, staff are integrating it more into the gameday presentation as they get more comfortable with its use. Game stats, videos and graphics are shown throughout the game. The Rox employ a PA announcer who really leans into his work as well as an on-field emcee who coordinates the on-field shenanigans.
The game day experience at Campanelli Stadium will feel familiar to anyone who has visited minor league ballparks. The Rox market themselves as a family-friendly entertainment option, and crowds consist primarily of families out to enjoy an affordable night of entertainment. There is a mascot, K.O. the kangaroo, who roams the ballpark throughout the game interacting with fans and participating in promotions. Between innings Rox staff hold contests for the younger fans in attendance, including races with the mascot, the dizzy bat race and the popular shoe race.
Neighborhood 2
Campanelli Stadium is located in a business district in the small, hard-scrabble city of Brockton, MA, located 25 miles south of Boston. Campanelli Stadium is located adjacent to Brockton High School, Marciano Stadium, and the Brockton Fairgrounds. Despite the presence of many businesses in the immediate vicinity of the ballpark, nothing here would qualify as an attraction to an out-of-town traveler.
There are several fast-food restaurants near Campanelli Stadium for hungry fans to visit before or after the game. Fans looking for something more substantial should check out Brach’s Grill and Tap or Stoneforge Tavern. Both are located a short drive from the ballpark near Stonehill College.
Fans 2
Local baseball fans are getting the word that after years of stadium and team neglect, Campanelli Stadium is the place to be. Attendance, which was non-existent for several years, is starting to rebound. While the 2023 average of around 600 fans per game still ranks the team near the bottom of the Futures League, crowds are improving over the course of the season, particularly on the weekends.
Crowds of under 1,000 make cozy Campanelli look cavernous. The team is marketing itself as an affordable alternative to expensive ballparks in Boston and Worcester, and as a fun place to bring the family. A look around Campanelli shows their efforts are working. With the compact footprint of the Futures League, it’s not unusual to see a nice turnout from visiting fans.
Access 3
Campanelli Stadium is located approximately a mile off Route 24 in southeast Massachusetts. Fans traveling to Brockton will take exit 31A off Route 24 (Belmont Street). Campanelli Stadium is located on the right, just beyond Brockton High School.
Parking is available in lots at the adjacent Brockton High School, either behind the stadium or a short walk from the main entrance. Other businesses along Feinberg Way allow fans to use their lots for games. Even though local busses stop at the High School next door to the ballpark, service ends at 9 pm, making driving the only way to get to Campanelli Stadium. The walkway from the lots to the ballpark is in need of some attention, as it is overgrown with plants and strewn with garbage.
The main entrance to Campanelli Stadium is located behind home plate. A pair of staircases lead to the ballpark’s entrance. The concourse at the top of the seating bowl stretches from deep right field to shallow left field. The field is visible from all points on the concourse. With small crowds in attendance, getting around is not an issue.
Seating consists of are red folding plastic individual seats with plenty of leg room. Rest rooms are more than large enough for typical crowds at Campanelli Stadium, but they are in need of some attention.
Return on Investment 5
Before heading to Campanelli Stadium, be aware that the facility is totally cashless. Tickets for Rox games are priced at $7 for outfield seats, $10 for upper infield seats and $12 for lower infield seats. Parking at the lots in the adjacent Brockton High School has traditionally cost an additional five dollars, but it does not appear that they are still charging in 2023. Most fans opt for the closer, free parking on Feinberg Way. Concessions are priced similarly to other area facilities.
Extras 3
Boxing fans may want to take a walk behind Campanelli Stadium to Champions Park, where a statue of legendary boxer and Brockton native Rocky Marciano is located.
The Rox have retired two numbers in honor of notable local athletes who never played for the team. Brockton residents Rocky Marciano (#49) and Marvin Hagler (#62) have numbers retired matching the number of victories each man recorded in his boxing career. Their jerseys hang on the outfield wall.
A third extra point is awarded for the massive renovations being done all over Campanelli Stadium, which have turned this ballpark from one ready for the wrecking ball into a place the city of Brockton can once again be proud of. In the past two seasons the facility has received a new video scoreboard, new playing surface, new clubhouse and lounge for players, a new sound system, new concessions equipment and POS system and a new management team. Even more improvements are in the works.
Final Thoughts
After years of neglect from previous ownership groups and city officials, which included a raccoon infestation, Rox fans are experiencing a comeback at Campanelli. New ownership is committed to improving the fan experience here, with changes made both in fan areas and behind the scenes. Brockton officials have matched this commitment with funding for improvements in the stadium, with more to come. Longtime visitors can’t help but notice the improvements being made all over the facility. It’s almost like something big is on the horizon in Brockton…
Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.