Thad Ward’s Red Sox journey began on a field in Fort Myers, Fla.
Long before his name was called in the Major League Baseball Draft, before he had discovered then honed a power sinker that would serve as the key to his dreams, Ward was a Bostonian for a day amid the sun-drenched palms.
Having friends in high places is a blessing, no matter the age. When a childhood pal asked Ward if he’d like to try his hand as a bat boy at the Red Sox’ then-spring training facility at City of Palms Park, the youngster was hooked.