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Futures League lands Worcester ballpark lease

Fitton Field

After the demise of a Can-Am League team and a season-long hiatus from organized baseball, Worcester and Holy Cross have signed a deal to bring a summer-collegiate Futures Collegiate Baseball League team to Fitton Field.

As you’ll recall, pro baseball in the form of the Worcester Tornadoes flamed out spectacularly in 2011, with the team locked out of its offices and removed from Fitton Field. After talks with the Can-Am League and the startup Diamond League, the decision was made to eschew the pro game and instead work with the Futures League and a local owner, John W.S. Creedon, Jr., on a lease for 29014 and beyond.

“This partnership will create a wonderful destination for enjoying baseball beginning next season,” said Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, president of Holy Cross. “It is another example of how we strive to be an integral part of the community of Worcester and become actively engaged—particularly with our nearest neighbors on College Hill and in South Worcester—in making our city an even better place to live, work, and raise families.

“We are very excited about the Future League’s plans for Fitton Field during the summer, and look forward to working with John, Chris and their teams to make this enterprise a great success.”

Fr. Boroughs and Creedon signed a memorandum of understanding during the press announcement. Details about the season, team name, schedules, and other matters are in the process of being finalized and opening day for the inaugural 2014 season is anticipated to be in early June.

“My family and I appreciate the deep and rich history of baseball in Worcester and at Fitton Field, in particular,” Creedon said. “We are humbled to be the stewards of the national pastime in our beloved city. Against that backdrop, we are really excited to bring baseball back to Worcester with a Futures League franchise. This club will provide affordable, family-friendly, fun entertainment in the context of top quality baseball games.” 

The league, which was founded in 2011, plays a nine-week schedule (54 games, 27 home & 27 away) which runs from June through early August.

“Baseball fans in Worcester will be thrilled with the professionalism, customer service and entertainment that the Futures League and the Creedon family will provide,” said Futures League Commissioner Chris Hall. “They’ll see some of the most talented young players in New England and across the country compete at Fitton Field in the years to come. This Worcester franchise will instantly become one of the top summer collegiate franchises in the country.”

Worcester becomes the 10th team in the summer-collegiate circuit.

Image by Doug Kerr, via flickr.com.

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