A minor field of dreams

BOSTON DOESN'T need a minor league baseball franchise to strengthen civic identity, like a Bridgeport, Conn., or to spark economic development, like a Brockton or Lynn. But there is plenty of need here for the kind of affordable family entertainment offered by independent, professional-grade baseball.

Alexander Bok, a Boston attorney, says he wants to build a 6,000-seat minor league stadium in a location with convenient public transportation and existing parking. He cites both Moakley Park in South Boston and Nickerson Field at Boston University as ideal venues, though each would pose problems. The first order of business should be to determine if a minor-league franchise makes sense in a major-league city. We think it could.

The most frugal family of four would be hard-pressed to spend less than $200 for an outing to Fenway Park, where Red Sox fans pay the highest average ticket prices in the major leagues. While a visit to Fenway remains one of the city's great offerings, Boston lacks a place where a couple of kids with a few dollars in their pockets can find decent seats to watch professional baseball.

The likes of David Ortiz won't be walking through the clubhouse doors of the Canadian-American or Atlantic leagues, home to many players released from the farm teams affiliated with Major League Baseball. But fans of the Worcester Tornadoes, Brockton Rox, and similar franchises can expect to pay about $8 for good seats and a chance to soak up some baseball while the youngest enjoy the play areas and theme nights.

The Menino administration is tight-lipped, waiting to gauge both the reaction of the Red Sox and community groups. The Red Sox (a share of which is owned by the New York Times Co., parent of The Boston Globe) could use their clout with City Hall to crush this nascent effort by a potential, albeit tiny, competitor. Such a move would be shortsighted. The Red Sox welcomed 2,847,888 fans through the turnstiles last season. The Sox sellout streak stands at 226 games. How grudging it would seem if the 2004 world champions were to block a start-up team where the payroll for an entire 22-player roster is capped at less than $100,000.

Bok may be a bit too optimistic when it comes to siting such a club. Moakley Park in South Boston poses major traffic challenges, and even bigger concerns about using public parklands for a private enterprise. Boston University, which does not even field a college baseball team, won't be rushing into any deal, either. Plus there are the usual concerns over capital and community opposition. This might be a long shot. But anyone with a plan that links affordable family entertainment with baseball in Boston deserves a chance to show their stuff.