01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, July 15, 2004

Notes from yesterday's Triple-A All-Star Game festivities:

Martinez impressed

Former major-league manager Buck Martinez was in town the last few days covering the All-Star games for ESPN2 and was "floored" by the way the PawSox and Providence area elevated the status of the event.

"I've been lucky enough to be involved in many major-league all-star games in my career and with ESPN and from the moment I got here, this was a similar feeling," Martinez said. "They turned this area into a baseball shrine. People greeted you at the airport, at the hotel, at the park. Everything was first-class."

Martinez said he'd never been to McCoy Stadium and was looking forward to calling the game with Sean McDonough before a packed house. However, he was a bit nervous, too. Martinez is a native of Sacramento, Calif., which just happens to be the city that has to follow Pawtucket's lead and host this event next July.

"I sure hope Sacramento had someone here taking notes," he said. "It will be tough to match all this. They'll be challenged to make it any better."

Deserving tribute

When Ted Williams was still alive, he helped lead a futile crusade to get former teammate Dominic DiMaggio elected to the Hall of Fame. At yesterday's All-Star luncheon at the Convention Center, Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr went out of his way to push both DiMaggio and another teammate, Johnny Pesky, for the Hall. DiMaggio was the preeminent defensive outfielder of his day and hit .298 for his career. Pesky hit .307 in his 10-year career and was also a top defensive player as a shortstop. Both players missed the 1943-45 seasons to serve in World War II.

"Dominic and Johnny are as good a ballplayer as I was," said Doerr, who was inducted into the Hall in 1986. "They gave up three years in their prime. I feel guilty that I'm in and they're not."

Pesky drew a laugh from the crowd when he said, "Dom's not in the Hall of Fame and he never made a mistake."

Said DiMaggio: "It would be nice if they took Johnny and I into the Hall of Fame.

-- KEVIN McNAMARA

Luncheon wows Kapstein

The Boston Red Sox have been well represented at the Triple-A All-Star game and festivities this week. Senior advisor and Rhode Island native Jeremy Kapstein worked with the PawSox to help organize Celebrity Monday.

Kapstein was thrilled with the Teammates Luncheon yesterday featuring Bobby Doerr, Dom DiMaggio and Johnny Pesky.

"The luncheon was an event that I think all of us will remember for many years to come," he said. "It was an extraordinary baseball event, but more than that, it was an extraordinary event for our country because we had the privilege of listening in a very relaxed environment to three of baseball's great people."

Kapstein and Pawtucket owner Ben Mondor go way back, and the two witnessed a pretty special week at McCoy Stadium.

"These three days have been a great gift to all Red Sox and PawSox fans," said Kapstein. "This is the apex of everything Ben Mondor has given to all of us. Ben is held in the highest regard by the baseball community and he is truly a great and special American."

Sights for sore eyes

Pawtucket native and Colorado Rockies scout Art Pontarelli knows all too well what the PawSox mean to the city and the state of Rhode Island. The former CCRI and RIC baseball coach has traveled around the country and has witnessed plenty of baseball at many different ballparks. Still, there's no place like home.

"It's been well documented the improvements that were made since Ben took over in 1977," Pontarelli said. "The conditions that existed at that time, the obstacles that were in his way that he had to get around to get to where we are today. For someone who was born, went to school, played ball and coached in this city . . . and to see something like this come about is just amazing."

Scouts from all over the country have been in town the last couple of days and Pontarelli has kept most of them up to date with the history of the ballpark, city and state.

"I'm proud to be associated to with (the PawSox)," said Pontarelli. "The last couple of days leading up to the game have been phenomenal. I've said to many people that it's just like a major league event. All of us who know the operation are not surprised by it."

The most thrilling aspect of the three days for Pontarelli was actor James Earl Jones reading "Casey at the Bat" on Monday night. Pontarelli has been to the actual field in Iowa where Field of Dreams was filmed. Seeing Jones in person was a real treat.

The PawSox All-Stars walked in through a row of corn during introductions on Monday, recreating the a scene from the movie.

"That was tremendous," said Pontarelli. "I don't know who was responsible for that, but they need to receive unlimited accolades."

-- JOE McDONALD