Babson College soaks up World Series lessons

Red Sox nation has long spanned to the borders of all six New England states and far, far beyond, but there is no doubt that those involved in the local baseball community took especially great pride in watching the hometown Major League Baseball team win a franchise-best 119 games en route to its fourth World Series championship in 15 years.

However, few people in the region have had a closer view of all the action at Fenway Park than Babson College head coach Matt Noone. The Beavers’ 17thyear boss has served as an assistant to each Red Sox coaching staff since 2004.

"I try to go in for most home games during the summer and help the hitting coach (Tim Hyers) and the other coaches with whatever they need," said Noone, who serves as a left-handed batting practice pitcher in addition to, among other duties, hitting fungos and working with players in the batting cage. "Babson obviously takes precedent, but it’s an unbelievable opportunity for me to learn and grow as a coach at the highest level of baseball, so I make an effort to be there as much as I can."