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There's nothing better, on your summer vacation, than spending a generous amount of your free time, and hard-earned money, at one of the best baseball parks in the United States.

On June 21, I had a chance to take in a Pawtucket Red Sox game in Rhode Island while on a break from my regular duties as your sports editor.

This was my second PawSox home game and, just like the first time I went to see them eight years ago, I enjoyed every minute of it.

My love of pro baseball started at an early age, but my appreciation for minor pro ball only began a quarter-century ago while a member of one of northern New Brunswick's most beloved senior baseball squads.

When I was a teen, I suited up, and (mostly) rode the bench, for two seasons for the Restigouche Intermediate Baseball League's now-defunct Belledune Mooseheads.

I loved the Mooseheads because we would always give the fans their money's worth – just like a minor pro squad.

Since the Moose, as we were nicknamed, only garnered cash from passing the hat midway during our home games, we considered ourselves on a par with pro teams who would have to rely on those who passed through the turnstiles to stay afloat.

The PawSox, the AAA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, regularly draw big crowds for its contests at McCoy Stadium, which is affectionately called Little Fenway.

The atmosphere at a PawSox game is best described as a combination of the feeling diamond fans received at the old home of the Blue Jays – Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, which had some of the best cheap seats in MLB history – with some of the flair of (Big) Fenway Park in Boston.

Minor pro ball, especially in New England, is best observed on a warm night with family, newly-minted friends, and a lot of great, and cheap, ballpark food and collectibles at your fingertips.

They say the sun always shines in Pawtucket, but especially on the PawSox.

My father-in-law – who drove me to the contest – told me before he arrived he was not only hoping for a great game, but also free parking, as the stadium provides no-charge spots if you get there early enough.

However, we ended up out of luck, but gladly paid our $2 lot fee in hopes of successfully getting inside an hour before the first pitch.

Luckily, the baseball gods did favour us as we entered.

Much to our happiness, and utter shock, a generous fan of the PawSox was there at the turnstiles giving out free general admission tickets – which saved us a combined $12 on what we were planning to spend.

All told, between parking, food and collectibles, we dished out $20 each to the PawSox's "hat."

It would have been a bargain at $50 each, but who was I to complain?

On the evening, the first place PawSox faced the Columbus Clippers – the main farm team of the Washington Nationals – and won the match with some great hitting and timely fielding.

The PawSox sent everyone home with memories to share and tales to tell about yet another big victory.

Before I left the park – in an effort to thank the baseball gods with the money I saved via the free tickets – I bought a program and a PawSox ball.

These items, as well as the stub from my free ticket, will be added to my ever-growing collection of sports memorabilia.

If you get a chance to visit R.I., don't forget to pay tribute to the PawSox and its nation of fans.

Something tells me the next World Series hero for the BoSox could be in Pawtucket eager for his chance in The Show.