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Springfield mayor: We’re open to Triple-A ball

Pawtucket Red SoxAnother Massachusetts mayor is interested in pursuing a new ballpark should the Pawtucket Red Sox (Class AAA; International League) leave Rhode Island, as Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno says he’s open to discussions.

Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. has already gone on record that his city would be willing to work with the PawSox on a “creative idea” for a new ballpark, but is against public funding or financing at this time.

Now Sarno is on record as being open to discussing new ballpark with the PawSox ownership as well:

Sarno said Monday that any chance for the Red Sox to bring the Red Sox Triple-A team to Springfield would be contingent on addressing financial and location issues. There have not been any discussions with Red Sox executives and the city has not pursued talks, officials said.

“I would love to have a Triple-A Boston Red Sox team here,” Sarno said. “If they want to foster some formal discussions, obviously I’m open. Financially, logistically, it would have to make sense.”…

Sarno had no comment regarding any local or state subsidies that could come with a professional baseball team considering Springfield as a location.

In addition, New Bedford officials have expressed interest in a new PawSox ballpark as well.

The talk is no surprise: we reported interest from Massachusetts cities last May. As it’s increasingly unlikely the PawSox will remain at McCoy Stadium when the team’s lease ends in 2021 and a Providence ballpark out of the mix, the logical landing spot for the team is Massachusetts. We expect to see other suburban Boston cities (perhaps Framingham) express an interest in landing the PawSox as well. It’s not every day that an International League team is looking for a new home, especially one with ties to the Red Sox.

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