Boys of summer help save winter
A crowd of die-hards donned red and white jerseys, Red Sox beanies and painted faces, braving frigid January temperatures yesterday to get a shot at batting practice with two fan favorites: outfielder Daniel Nava and third baseman Will Middlebrooks.
With spring training two weeks away — and a heartbreaking New England Patriots loss in their rear view — Boston fans geared up for the spring by adding another layer and hitting Fenway Park for Red Sox Kid Nation Winterfest.
“Thank God,” said 29-year-old Brittany Bang. “With the Patriots, you need something to look forward to. I just need to focus on something else.”
On the other side of Fenway, rosy-cheeked 10-yearold Max Vinciguerra of Winchester was just leaving batting practice with Nava.
“That was amazing!” Max told his dad, Keith Vinciguerra, after hitting a few line drives into the net.
In addition to face painting, train rides, video games and a bouncy house, Nava and Middlebrooks took turns giving batting tips to a lineup of tots and teens who were eager to show off their skills to their heroes.
For some, the day was a welcome retreat from both the cold weather and the devastating end to the football season.
Aimee Schecter, 15, of Lexington, a Kid Nation captain from 2010-12, stood in line for batting practice in her Kid Nation jersey, Sox necklace and earrings, counting down to spring training — “15 days now.”
Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 10.