Movies used to be considered a cheap date. But with 3-D showings and reserve seating, now in many theaters, going to a flick with isn’t what it used to be.
No, movies are are no longer the easy choice for a night out these days.
Minor league baseball, however, still is and in the northern suburb of Rockland County, the Boulders are the team of choice.
Now in their seventh year, the Boulders remain one of the strongest teams in the Can-Am League, which in independent baseball, is a step below the Atlantic League, where the Long Island Ducks and Somerset Patriots play.
The Can-Am League consists of six teams, with three in Canada and two in Northern Jersey and of course, Rockland. The level of play would be comparable to High-A or Double-A, whereas the Atlantic League is more Double-A to Triple-A.
Because of that, there are less “name” players in the league, but you still get a former big leaguer or two. In fact, current Duck Eric Gagne played in for the Canadian teams before moving to Long Island this season.
However, at the end of the day this less about the baseball and more about “affordable entertainment,” according to general manager Shawn O’Reilly, where a family of four can come to the ballpark with a $100.00 bill in the father’s pocket and come home with change. You don’t get that in Major League Baseball anymore. Heck, you may not get it in the movie theaters, when accounting for the overpriced popcorn and sodas.
So this should obviously be a layup for families. But with six independent teams in the area and two affiliated short season teams, Rockland needs to differentiate itself and the one thing it has going for it is the ballpark.
Palisades Credit Union Park may be the nicest minor league ballyard in the area. With a 360-degree concourse, on the field bars and lounges and a choo-choo train for the children, the Boulders home dwarfs the piles of nondescript parks in the area. Sure, all of them are clean and nice in their own way, but this one just has more going for it.
So, there you have it. If you are up in Rockland, going to a game is a layup and if you are a minor-league baseball fan, the Boulders should definitely be on your bucket list of places to check out.
Or if you are just looking for something to do, the Boulders these days beats going to the movies.
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