Campanelli Stadium - Brockton Rox
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71
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 as they straightened out their finances, 2022 marks the team’s eleventh season in the Futures League.
The name “Rox” is a derivative of the nearby Boston Red Sox, as well as Brockton native Rocky Marciano.
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 4
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. For the 2022 season, the team hired a local catering company to handle their concessions, with positive results overall.
All food and beverage are sold from a single concession stand on the third base side of the ballpark. Lines form at times but are generally not an issue. 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.
Bottled Pepsi products are featured at Campanelli Stadium. Fans looking for adult beverages can select from a wide variety of adult beverages, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light and Truly Hard Seltzers. Craft beer fans will find a nice selection of brews from nearby Shovel Town Brewery.
Atmosphere 3
New team ownership has expressed their desire to make a Rox game an affordable entertainment option for southeastern Massachusetts baseball fans, as evidenced by their new slogan “Way cheaper, way more fun.” They have brought a great deal of energy and excitement to the ballpark, reversing several years of bare bones gameday presentation. The presence of the children of former big-leaguers David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Pedro Martinez, Keith Foulke and Gary Sheffield on the 2022 Rox has been a draw for many local baseball fans.
Between inning games and interactive activities are back during Rox games, highlighted by the team’s owner entering the stadium on his custom Harley motorcycle. A pair of on-field MCs, dubbed the Flamingo Brothers, coordinate the typical on-field games with fans, including the mascot race, the dizzy bat race, the bubble bounce and more. The public address announcer and sound effects team lean into their work well, helping to create a lively experience. The “Dog of the Day” promotion, where every fan gets a free hot dog if a designated player strikes out has proven to be popular.
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, there is nothing near the ballpark that 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.
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 had bottomed out at an average of under 400 fans per game, is starting to rebound. While the average of 722 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 St.) and follow it approximately one mile. Campanelli Stadium is located on the right.
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 Brockton 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. Fans will climb a set of stairs to reach the entrance to the ballpark. 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 no portable carts anywhere in the ballpark and small crowds in attendance, getting around is not an issue.
All of the seats here are red folding plastic individual seats with enough leg room even for taller fans. Rest rooms are more than large enough for typical crowds at Campanelli Stadium, but they are in need of some serious attention.
Return on Investment 3
All tickets for Rox games are priced at $10. Parking at the lots in the adjacent Brockton High School will cost an additional five dollars. Concessions are priced similarly to other area facilities. While a Rox game feels a little more expensive than other summer college league games in the area, it’s pretty much in line with other Futures League ballparks.
Extras 2
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.
Final Thoughts
After years of neglect from previous team ownership 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 noticeable improvements already in the food and gameday atmosphere. Brockton officials have matched this commitment with $4 million dollars of improvements in the stadium, with more to come. Ownership, with their background in running local comedy clubs, has expressed a desire to become the “Savannah Bananas of the north,” so expect things to only get zanier from here.
Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.