A Season on the Rox (2006)

“I think there are only three things that America will be known for 2,000 years from now when they study this civilization: the Constitution, jazz music and baseball. They're the three most beautifully designed things this culture has ever produced”. 

— Gerald Early, Scholar 

I had no idea what I was in for when I ran into my baseball buddy, writer Bill Chuck in the winter of 2005. I knew Bill from our days together at Fenway Park. He mentioned that he was doing work with an unusual independent league baseball team, the Brockton Rox, and he thought that the Rox and I might hit it off. I had been searching for a photographic project for some time, and a few weeks later met with Bill and Jim Lucus, the president of the Rox. I liked Jim immediately; he had great enthusiasm. The Rox as an organization were doing some very exciting, innovative, and even risk-taking things. During the first three years of the club’s existence their mascot was a pile of rocks. 

At the time we spoke, Jim had visions of black and white photographs from the 1930’s and ‘40’s, of the photographer on the field next to the umpire and catcher, photographing the action taking place at home plate. He thought I might be the right photographer to document the minor league game today in all it facets, and was enthusiastic enough about the idea to offer me complete access to photograph anything and everything at the ballpark that captured my interest. I liked the way he was thinking.

We were still months away from opening day and I hadn’t yet committed to spending an entire season with the Rox. I told Jim and Bill that as long as I was enjoying myself and excited by the photographs I was making I would stick with it for the season. I photographed the hot stove dinner in February, and met a few of the players and fans, as well as the new manager of the Rox, Chris Miyake. With a season photo credential in hand, I marked opening day on my calendar.

As I walked across the field of Brockton’s Campanelli Stadium on opening day, the light was streaking through the grandstands; one could feel the excitement and energy of the new baseball season in the air. When Guye Senjem hit a walk off home-run to win the game for the Rox in the ninth inning, I was hooked.

A baseball team is an extremely tight circle. It is tough for an outsider to break into that circle and become an accepted part of the players’ world. The players live, eat, and travel together for the entire season. From the start, I made an effort to provide each of the players and coaches with photographs, in an attempt to connect, to show them what I was doing, and to be accepted into their circle. I spent every game day arriving before batting practice and stayed until the post game rituals had ended. As the season progressed I became as much a part of the Rox landscape as the hot dog vendors or the grounds crew.

I photographed over ninety games during the 2006 season. I went on numerous road trips with the team, often riding the bus with the players, and spent time at host families and coaches’ houses. I was hit by flying baseballs, had numerous practical jokes played on me, drank beer with the diehard fans, and even participated in batting practice. My excuse for being there was to document the season, but like many of the ballplayers I was looking for community, and to be a part of something larger then myself. 

In the end, the goal for the Rox was winning a championship, and my goal was to put together a photographic essay that would speak to all of the dimensions of that summers’ experience. But as they say “the journey is the prize”. And it was quite a journey. The Rox’s championship dream ended within one inning of winning the championship. My journey was filled with personal experiences and discoveries that I will never forget. Even now, I can still feel the sunlight and rain of that summer, the smell of the dust and grass, and the sounds of the game. 

(For image data, click thumbnail and hover cursor over enlarged photographs)