Polar Park to Provide Fans with 5 Scoreboards and LED Sideboards to Inform, Entertain, and Interact

PRESS RELEASE – Polar Park will have high-technology full-color videoboards in Left Field and Right-Center Field, as well as a large, traditional, electronic alphanumeric scoreboard on the Worcester Wall in Right Field, plus a pair of LED Matrix boards behind First and Third Base, all supplied and integrated by experience design and execution company, ANC.

Polar Park Construction Costs Exceeding Budget

Construction costs for Polar Park have increased by $9.5 million over initial estimates, while costs to acquire the properties needed for the ballpark, relocate businesses and prepare the site for development have run roughly $20 million more than what was anticipated.  Read more here.

Worcester Red Sox Unveil ‘WooSox’ Branding

On Monday evening, Boston’s Triple-A affiliate announced that, beginning in 2021, it will be known as the Worcester Red Sox. But while that’s the International League team’s official moniker, its “WooSox” nickname promises to be more prominent.  Read more here. See more logos here.  See gear here.

Going Cashless at Polar Park

A store with snacks, drinks, and souvenirs at Polar Park in Worcester (MA) will enable customers to shop without scanning or stopping to check out, according to Standard Cognition co-founder and COO Michael Suswal.  Read more here.

PawSox Attendance Drops

Attendance at Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) games has dropped as the team prepares to depart Rhode Island for Massachusetts.  The PawSox are averaging just 5,254 fans a game (as of Sept. 3), which is a drop from 5,982 in 2018.  It’s the third-lowest attendance in the International League.  Read more here.  The team was at 6,406 in 2017.  Doing business as the Fightin’ Quahogs last Friday probably didn’t hurt.

Polar Park Groundbreaking Tomorrow

The city of Worcester (MA) is breaking ground on a new ballpark for the relocating Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) on Thursday, July 11.  Read more here.

Worcester Using Eminent Domain to Acquire Final Properties Needed for Ballpark

The Worcester Redevelopment Authority has filed an eminent domain order of taking to acquire the MedStar Ambulance properties the city needs to build a $101-million stadium for the relocating Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League).  Read more here.

 

Polar Park Capacity Details Revealed

Since the Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) announced the team would be moving to Worcester (MA), fans in New England’s second-largest city have known a stadium is coming their way for the 2021 season, expected to have 10,000 seats.  But, there will only be 7,200 to 7,500 traditional seats in Polar Park.  The rest of the space, to allow for 10,000 fans, will be in gathering places.  Read more here.

Worcester Gets Rolling on Property Acquisition, Parking Garage

The Worcester Redevelopment Authority board unanimously voted Friday to take the first three properties needed to assemble the footprint for the construction of a minor league ballpark off Kelley Square.  The board also voted to spend $23 million for the design and construction of a structured parking garage that will be built on the south side of Madison Street.  Read more here.

Worcester Ballpark Construction/Design Team in Place, Properties Being Targeted

The final piece of the construction/design team for Worcester’s (MA) ballpark project is now in place, as the city’s redevelopment authority has awarded the construction manager at risk contract to Gilbane-Hunt, a joint venture.  In a related matter, offers are being made for acquisition of properties in the area of the proposed ballpark site.  Read more here.

Construction Manager Recommended for Polar Park

The Selection Committee for Polar Park has recommended to the Worcester (MA) Redevelopment Authority that Gilbane-Hunt, a joint venture, be construction manager for the ballpark project.  Read more here.

Talking Ballpark Design in Worcester

On Tuesday, Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) President Dr. Charles Steinberg, Paw Sox Chairman Larry Lucchino, ballpark designer Janet Marie Smith, and City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr., welcomed some of the other people who will sit around the ballpark-design table, including D’Agostino Izzo Quirk Architects and Sasaki Associates — leaders of the design effort for Polar Park and its surroundings. Read more here and here.

City of Worcester Introduces D’Agostino Izzo Quirk Architects and Sasaki Associates to provide ballpark design https://t.co/7ZGKmTNScf

— Polar Park (@PolarPark2021) January 29, 2019

Ramping Up New Ballpark Utilities Work in Worcester

A significant amount of infrastructure work is planned in the Canal District, Kelley Square and Green Island in Worcester (MA) in the coming months to prepare for the construction of the new home of the Boston Red Sox’s top minor league team.  Read more here.

Worcester Ballpark Board Picks Firm to Design Polar Park

The Worcester Designer Selection Board will recommend Somerville (MA)-based D’Agostino Izzo Quirk Architects, Inc. (D’AIQ) to City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. for the design of Polar Park, the stadium which will house the Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) come the 2021 baseball season. D’AIQ worked on the renovation and expansion of Boston’s Fenway Park.  Read more and view rendering/photo gallery here.

WooSox Ballpark Financing Plan Approved

With council approval of the plan, the city of Worcester can proceed with plans to go to market Wednesday to raise about $30 million through a bond sale.  The offering is expected to be the first in a series of bond sales that will raise the $100.8 million needed to build a new ballpark for the relocating Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League).  Read more here.

Moody’s Gives Worcester Ballpark Bonds High Rating

The credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service has assigned a high quality rating to $27.5 million in bonds the city of Worcester (MA) plans to issue to pay for costs associated with a new city-owned baseball park for the relocating Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League).  Read more here.

Worcester Interviews 7 Architects for Ballpark

Worcester’s (MA) Designer Selection Board wrapped up two days of interviews Thursday with seven prospective architects for the city’s minor league ballpark project.  After interviewing three firms Wednesday and four on Thursday, the board went behind closed doors late Thursday afternoon to discuss the merits of the proposals.  Read more here.

Worcester Picks Firm to Manage Ballpark Project

Worcester (MA) officials are set Friday to select New York-based Skanska USA, a subsidiary of Swedish construction firm Skanska, as the owner’s project manager for the $90-million Worcester Red Sox stadium project.  Read more here.

Firms Line Up to Design, Build New Worcester Ballpark

Seven firms have submitted bid proposals to the city in response to a Request for Qualifications issued by the Worcester Redevelopment Authority for design and construction administration services for a professional minor league baseball park with a maximum seating capacity of 10,000.  Read more here.

Worcester Approves Ballpark Financing

The Worcester (MA) City Council Tuesday night approved a loan authorization of up to $100.8 million for the construction of a 10,000-seat ballpark that will be home to the relocating Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) beginning with the 2021 season.  Read more here.

New Renderings Released for New Worcester Ballpark

Fans will have to wait three years to step foot inside Polar Park, the 10,000-seat stadium that will house the Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A, International League).  But for now, new renderings released by the city give a glimpse into what the stadium and its surrounding development will look like.  Read more here.

Council Committee Approves Worcester Ballpark Package

The proposed deal and financing package to bring the Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) to Worcester (MA) cleared its first local legislative hurdle Wednesday night, winning the approval of the City Council Economic Development Committee.  Read more here.

Now that the PawSox are Coming, Developers Come Calling

Since Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) officials and the city of Worcester (MA) signed a letter of intent about 10 days ago to build a new ballpark and bring the franchise to town, there has been heightened interest in the city from private developers.  Read more here.

What’s Next for McCoy Stadium, Apex Site?

What’s next for McCoy Stadium, now that the Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) ownership has decided to relocate the franchise to a new ballpark in Worcester (MA).  Read more here.

MiLB Baseball Done in Pawtucket? Maybe Not

Minor-league franchise owner Art Solomon said he would personally try to bring a Single-A team to McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket (RI) to replace the Worcester (MA)-bound Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League).  Read more here.

PawSox Moving to Worcester, Bravehearts Stand Strong

The Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) are moving to Worcester (MA) and will be building a new 10,000-seat ballpark, team and city officials announced Friday. Red Sox chairman Tom Werner was first to confirm the swirling rumors, saying that the Paw Sox, will be moving to Worcester.  Read more and watch news report here.  Upon hearing the news, the successful Worcester Bravehearts (Summer Collegiate, Futures League) say they aren’t going anywhere and “don’t back down from a challenge.”  Read more here.

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— Worcester Bravehearts (@WooBaseball) August 17, 2018

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WooSox? PawSox Tour Possible Ballpark Site in Worcester

As rumors swirl the Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) are leaving for Worcester (MA), team leadership confirmed they toured a potential stadium site in Worcester on Tuesday.   This comes days after the team applied to trademark, “WooSox,” the speculated name of the team should they move and re-brand.  Read more and watch news report here.

PawSox Keeping Worcester in the Field of Options

Despite Rhode Island lawmakers passing a bill calling for the building of an $83-million ballpark to keep the Pawtucket Red Sox in the state, conversations between Worcester and the team continue.  Read more here.

Pawtucket Mayor Offers Plan B to Keep PawSox

Pawtucket (RI) Mayor Donald Grebien on Tuesday urged state legislators to consider a “Plan B” if they’re not willing to vote on the current stadium-financing plan to build a new ballpark for the Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League).  Read more here.

Rhode Island vs. Massachusetts, Urgent Call to Save PawSox

Pawtucket (RI) Mayor Donald Grebien has issued a “now or never” call for action on new ballpark to keep the Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) in the city, as Worcester (MA) tries to lure the team across state lines.  Read more here.

Worcester Looks to Expand Property for Potential PawSox Ballpark

The Worcester Redevelopment Authority is exploring the expansion of the boundaries of vacant redevelopment property that could serve as a location for a new ballpark for the Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League), should negotiations with the team proceed.  Read more here.

PawSox Visit Worcester

Just how productive it was remains to be seen, but top brass from the Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) were in Worcester (MA) Friday, July 21, for what one city official said was a tour of the city, mostly in the Canal District.  Read more here.

Deadline Ends for Exclusive PawSox Ballpark Talks, Back to Worcester Chatter

The Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) are officially interested in talking to other cities that might be equally interested in having the minor league baseball team in their community, including Worcester (MA).  Read more here.  Read Worcester background here.

The Bravehearts: A Worcester Success Story

When it comes to sports, Worcester hasn’t exactly hit a home run.  The repeated failures of teams to survive – Tornadoes, Sharks, Surge, IceCats, Marauders, Bombardiers, et al. – have left many sports fans feeling jilted and alone.  But the Worcester Bravehearts are drawing record crowds, placing 10th in the country in average per-game attendance for a summer collegiate baseball league this year.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Bravehearts to Host 2016 Futures League All-Star Game, Unveil Logo

PRESS RELEASE – The Worcester Bravehearts have won back-to-back championships and broken multiple attendance records in their short existence, but the best is yet to come. In 2016, the organization will bring a premier baseball event to Worcester as the city has been selected to host the 2016 Futures League All Star Game.

Worcester, New Bedford Realistic Backup Options for PawSox?

If the deal being discussed in Providence (RI) to build a downtown baseball stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) falls through, officials in Worcester (MA) and New Bedford (MA) have expressed interest in getting in the PawSox relocation game.  Read about Worcester here.  Read about New Bedford here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the links.

Worcester Baseball Creates Local Advisory Board

As part of their community outreach effort, the the owners of the yet-t0-be-named  summer collegiate Futures League expansion franchise in Worcester (MA) have created the Worcester Baseball Advisory Board made up of local sports, business and civic leaders.  Read more here.