As they continue to consider luring the Pawtucket Red Sox (Class AAA; International League) to the city, Worcester, MA officials will discuss the effort with local business and civic leaders.
Over the last few months, discussion of a new PawSox ballpark has played out in Rhode Island, where state lawmakers have debated funding plans for a new downtown Pawtucket ballpark. A funding plan for the Pawtucket ballpark did pass the Rhode Island Senate, but that proposal has not cleared the Rhode Island House of Representatives, with House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello arguing earlier this year that the team needs to pony up more money to receive his support.
Meanwhile, Worcester has been connected to the team for some time. Few concrete details surrounding ballpark plans there have been made public, though a site in the city’s Canal District has reportedly been eyed for a new venue and surrounding development. Discussions are set to continue, with city officials reaching out to business and civic leaders about the effort to land the PawSox. More from The Telegram & Gazette:
City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. will confer with several business and civic leaders to get input on the possible move, which has been under active discussion since the Triple A baseball team announced in July that it would consider offers from outside of Rhode Island.
Some of those the city manager will talk to are Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Timothy P. Murray; Karen E. Duffy, president and CEO of the Worcester Credit Union; Joe Salois, president of Atlas Distributors, and attorney Michael P. Angelini of the Bowditch & Dewey law firm.
“As we continue exploring the possibility of bringing the Pawtucket Red Sox to Worcester,” Augustus said via email, “discussions with the team continue and we’re including important community partners in those conversations.”
Murray is scheduled to meet with Augustus Tuesday, while Angelini is on the agenda for Thursday. Neither Duffy nor Salois immediately returned phone calls seeking comment, but Angelini said, “The city manager has asked me to join a committee as the city tries to attract the Pawtucket Red Sox and I’m happy to help in any way I can.”
The PawSox have been seeking a long-term replacement for their current home, McCoy Stadium. Currently the oldest active Class AAA facility in Minor League Baseball, McCoy Stadium originally opened in 1942 and received its last major renovation in 1999. The PawSox’s lease agreement there runs through the 2020 season, though a five-year option could extend their stay.
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