We have a name for the newest team in the summer-collegiate Futures Collegiate Baseball League: the Worcester Bravehearts.
The team will play out of Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field on the Holy Cross campus. The Bravehearts replace the Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League) as the ballpark’s summer tenant.
Bravehearts owner John W.S. Creedon, Jr., said the team name was selected as a finalist along with four others from over 1,000 name ideas submitted by the public. Of the five finalists, the “Bravehearts” name was then voted for overwhelmingly by the public with a two-to-one margin in the naming contest. The name “Bravehearts” was submitted by Kevin Hunt of Charlton. Hunt will win season tickets for life, an authentic team jersey and cap, and will throw out the first pitch at the team’s home opener on June 5, 2014.
According to Creedon, the team name has two meaningful components. First, the “Brave” component is a tribute to Worcester’s brave men and women in uniform serving locally and abroad. More particularly, the word “Brave” is also an homage to Worcester’s recent fallen firefighters who epitomized bravery including Jon Davies who perished on December 8, 2011, as well as the six who perished in the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse fire on December 3, 1999 (Paul Brotherton, Timothy Jackson, Jeremiah Lucey, Jay Lyons, Joseph McGuirk, and Thomas Spencer). Tuesday marks the fourteenth anniversary of the Cold Storage Warehouse firefighters’ bravery, and Sunday marks the second anniversary of Jon Davies’ bravery. Second, the “hearts” component is a reference to Worcester’s nickname as the “Heart of the Commonwealth.”
“We are humbled to name the team in honor of all those in Worcester who presently answer the call of duty to protect and serve, and especially as a tribute to Worcester’s fallen firefighters who demonstrated legendary bravery,” said Creedon. “The courage of these heroic people – past and present – defines and galvanizes our city. We will wear the name with pride and respect.”
“The team’s logo captures the essence of the Bravehearts name through the shield and the heart,” said Bravehearts General Manager Dave Peterson. “The logo is heavily inspired by the colors and symbols of the Worcester flag including the red heart and green laurels on a white seal against a green field. The top of the shield also features a blue collar in reference to Worcester’s proud blue collar heritage and economy driven by the remarkable work ethic of the city’s citizens.”
“The classic ‘W’ on the ballcap is intended to represent the team, but also to symbolize the city of Worcester more broadly, similar to iconic MLB ballcaps displaying, for example, the ‘A’ for Atlanta, the ‘B’ for Boston, the ‘C’ for Chicago, and the ‘D’ for Detroit,” said Peterson.
As the team’s key presenting sponsor, The Hanover entered into an agreement with the team which includes naming rights to the Bravehearts’ home field on the campus of the College of the Holy Cross. The pact also includes premium seating for Hanover guests, 100 “Hanover Hot Seats” which will be donated each game to local non-profits designated by The Hanover and the team, hospitality and marketing privileges, and promotion through the team’s sales and marketing efforts. Financial terms of the arrangement were not disclosed.
“We’re very happy to help bring baseball back to Worcester,” said Frederick Eppinger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Hanover Insurance Group. “The Futures League offers an exciting brand of baseball, showcasing the game’s best young talent and stars of tomorrow. The team is a great fit for our city, adding another dimension to the broad range of entertainment opportunities available to residents of Central Massachusetts and visitors to the city and the region.”
RELATED STORIES: Futures League lands Worcester ballpark lease; Worcester aims for 2014 ballpark deal; Wolff: We want to be back in Worcester in 2013; Atlantic League: Big plans for 2014 and beyond; Multiple groups interested in Worcester market; Can-Am League revokes Breighner’s membership, takes over Worcester market; Small crowd sees Tornadoes’ last home game; Breighner: Tornadoes are in good financial shape; League may take over Tornadoes; Tornadoes locked out of offices, team shop; More financial woes for W-Tornadoes: team uniforms seized; Canseco sues Worcester Tornadoes over unpaid salary; Indy teams fighting over Canseco?; Canseco signs with Rio Grande; misses first game; Jose Canseco files for bankruptcy; Jose Canseco resurfaces, this time in Worcester
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