220 nshoremag.com August 2014
SKATING RINK
Brooks School
1160 Great Pond Rd., North Andover,
978-725-6300, brooksschool.org
➡
The rink at Brooks School is well
maintained and even a bit warmer in-
side than most other ice rinks. Plus
it's attached to the school's athletic
center. "It's a fun place to play home
games," says Brooks's director of ath-
letics Lori Charpentier. But the rink
isn't just a popular venue for Brooks
students and fans, but also for the
surrounding community. Charpen-
tier says the rink—which is open
September through mid-March—is
available for youth hockey pro-
grams, men's leagues, and even the
town uses the rink every Sunday
night for an open skate.
Since 1973, the Graf
Rink has provided peo-
ple with an outstanding
range of year-round
ice skating programs,
like figure skating, ice
hockey, and learn-to-
skate lessons. Classes
are appropriate for all
ages and ability levels.
RECREATIONAL SPORTS
Essex Base Ball Club
Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, 5 Little's Ln., Newbury, essexbaseball.wordpress.com
➡
Under tireless researcher (and high school histor y teacher) Brian "Cappy" Sheehy's
guidance, this league plays baseball by 1863 rules, meaning no gloves, more than a few
quirky outs, and some really cool uniforms. The six teams—named for squads like the
Clamdiggers and Live Oaks that actually played in the area in the 19th centur y—have
about 60 players, with newbies inquiring, and welcome, all the time. For all the attention
to histor y, these are not reenactments: the teams field a competitive nine between the
lines. More than a few "cranks" are on the sidelines cheering for their favorite team (at
least 5 ,000 people attended games last year). Players strive for a gentlemanly, family
atmosphere, so there's no cursing, modern or other-
wise. Playing on a farm means chickens or a friendly
goat sometime wander onto the field or swipe specta-
tors' popcorn. But that just adds to the authenticity.
Henry
Graf Jr.
Memorial
Skating Rink
28 Low St., Newburyport,
978-462-8112, grafrink.com
READERS' CHOICE
GORILLA FLAG FOOTBALL
Peabody
PHOTOGRAPH
BY
MATTHEW
MUISE
Old-school
baseball is
played at
Spencer-
Peirce-Little
Farm.
READERS'
CHOICE
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