Summer Baseball Leagues in New England

The middle of the summer belongs to baseball. Though MLB Opening Day falls in early April, America’s pastime tends to get overshadowed early on by playoffs in other pro sports. By the end of June, though, basketball and hockey have both crowned champions. Football training camps are still a month away. Even if your home team isn’t having a stellar season (we’re looking at you, Boston), now is the perfect time to buy some peanuts and crackerjacks. These four summer baseball leagues in New England let spectators see tomorrow’s stars for free or cheap, and their games are a perfect addition to a New England vacation.

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Cape Cod Baseball League

The Cape Cod Baseball League is one of the most prestigious summer leagues in the country — players here, visiting in between Division I NCAA seasons, routinely end up on professional rosters. Keep an eye out for Cape Cod League stars to make their major league debuts 3-5 years after you see them here. With 10 teams in a pretty small geographic area, you get plenty of opportunities to catch a game. They play mostly on the Cape’s local high school fields, so high-level games still have a down-home casual feel, and admission is free. Oh, and you’re never more than a mile or two from some of the best beaches in New England. These Cape Cod lodging options make guests feel like they're on the home team.

New England Collegiate Baseball League

Like the Cape Cod League, the NECBL gives NCAA athletes the chance to play during the summer. Teams cover more ground, though, with games in all six New England states. For a chance to see the best of the best all in one spot, keep an eye out for the NECBL All-Star Game, which takes place about halfway through the league’s eight-week summer season. Players in both the Cape Cod League and the NECBL use wooden bats — for some, it’s a brand-new experience as they move toward MLB specifications from the more lively metal bats used in college.

Futures Collegiate Baseball League

The Futures Collegiate Baseball League is the newest New England summer baseball league — it was formed in 2011 and grew in size to 10 teams by 2014. They’re also the only wood-bat summer league we know of with a team on an island. With a nod to Captain Brody, the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks devour opposing teams at the high school field in Oak Bluffs. We’re excited to see this league keep growing in popularity.

Professional Minor League Teams in New England

Dreams are both made and broken in the minors — when players move on from the college level, they often spend years in the Major League farm system before a chance at a big break comes along. Players work their way up from single-A to AAA, where they’re the closest to prime time. You’ll find the following professional minor league teams in New England: Pawtucket Red Sox - AAA Boston affiliate Portland Sea Dogs - AA Boston affiliate New Britain Rock Cats - AA Minnesota Twins Affiliate New Hampshire Fisher Cats - AA Toronto Blue Jays Affiliate Connecticut Tigers - Detroit Tigers A Affiliate No matter where you go for a New England summer vacation, you won’t be far from the crack of a bat and a cheering crowd. If you’re still trying to decide which field to claim as your temporary home turf, check out these New England summer getaway spots for inspiration.

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