There’s a lot going on in Massachusetts this month for sport fans. And if you’re taking a trip to the area or live close to Boston you should be excited as here’s what’s coming up this spring month of April…

Red Sox Return to Fenway Park

The beloved Boston Red Sox have finally swung into town with the home seasonal opener at Fenway Park. Like many fans I don’t feel spring is really here until the Boston Red Sox baseball team have played in town, and with a lot of new faces on the team it’s a chance to warm up to the off-season additions and trades.

Johnny Damon broke a lot of hearts by moving away – especially to the New York Yankees! What was he thinking? It’ll be interesting to hear the sort of reception he gets when he steps out on the field at Fenway when the Yankees play here.

Continuing with the theme of baseball…

The 100 Innings Baseball Fundraiser

A few years ago a couple of mates were trading emails and one had an idea for a 100-innings baseball game – his mate thought it a great idea and soon Brett Rudy and Mike Lembo were in the midst of transforming their idea into a money-spinning fundraiser for newly arrived Curt Schilling’s ALS program to aid in the fight against Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The first two 100 innings baseball spectaculars were held in the Boston area parks, but the 3rd Annual 100 Innings Baseball Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, April 22nd through Sunday April 23rd 2006 at Fitton Field at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Central Massachusetts. Times are… well about 31 hours, so arrive when you want and stay through the night if you wish. Should be a blast!

For more information and directions to the event check out the official website here.

The Historic Boston Marathon

Perhaps the biggest sporting event in April is reserved for running. Following close on the Red Sox heels opening day at Fenway is the 110th Boston Marathon – which starts at precisely Noon in Hopkinton on Monday April 17th this year. The oldest marathon in the world is by no means the easiest. Pounding the one-way 26 miles 385 yards between Hopkinton, a small town on the fringe of Eastern Massachusetts, to Copley Square in downtown Boston, the terrain covers the infamous Heartbreak Hill, and a few other undulating areas.

Viewing the marathon is a big activity to do in the Boston area on Patriots Day, and you should avoid traveling anywhere close to the route during the early to late afternoon of race day. The route starts in Hopkinton at Route 135 taking the runners through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, and Wellesley to Route 16. Route 16 takes the runners through Newton Lower Falls to Commonwealth Avenue onto Route 30. The route then follows the twists and turns through Newton Hills, Chestnut Hill Avenue, Cleveland Circle, Beacon Street, and to Kenmore Square. From Kenmore the runners follow Commonwealth Avenue once again, taking a right on Hereford Street, and then left on Boylston Street before the final straight into Copley Square.

I’ve personally run two marathons. My marathons were more an adventure (like can I finish in one piece) than a race, or even a run – yeah, I walked a lot on both. And most people need help getting through and to the end. So get out if you can and cheer these brave souls that are mostly racing against themselves.

New England Revolution Opener at Gillette

Gillette Stadium in Foxboro is better known as the home of New England Patriots Football. But on Sunday April 30th the New England Revolution team has its opening home Soccer game at Gillette.

Coming off a spectacular 2005 season where they were finalists in the MLS Cup and beaten out from the Championship by just a single goal, you can bet that Coach Steve Campbell will be going all out for the cup again this year.

I’m a season ticket holder as my boys love the game, and I’ll be sitting through the usual cool April temperatures to see the Revs take on the Chicago Fire and win! Plenty of parking and seating make this an easy in and out sports event for the whole family.

For more details on Massachusetts sports and to purchase Boston Red Sox or New England Revolution game tickets you can visit my special Massachusetts sports section at the web site by clicking here.

More events and news same place next week.

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Attractions Guide

Related posts:

1. Get Out and Enjoy Outdoor Boston Sports in April
2. Boston Harbor Islands – Baseball Georges Island Style…
3. 2009 Guide to Summer Vacation Baseball Fun in New England
4. April 2009 at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Connecticut
5. Don’t Miss Super Athletes in Boston for One Day Only!