The Pawtucket Red Sox (Class AAA; International League) have evaluated Fittion Field as a possible temporary home if they relocate to Worcester, MA, according to a report.
There continues to be considerable speculation over the future of the PawSox, who are looking to replace McCoy Stadium. Legislation that provides financing for a new downtown Pawtucket ballpark was signed by Rhode Island governor Gina Raimondo in June, but that does not assure that the facility will become a reality. The PawSox have not committed to remaining in Pawtucket, and have been ironing out the details of the proposal. Meanwhile, Worcester is viewed as a potential landing spot for the club if it moves on from Pawtucket.
A new ballpark would need to be included in any plan to bring the PawSox to Worcester, but GoLocalProv.com reports that PawSox officials have evaluated Fitton Field as a possible temporary home. Fitton Field, currently home to the Worcester Bravehearts (summer collegiate; Futures Collegiate Baseball League) and Holy Cross baseball, could host the team until a new Worcester ballpark is completed. More from GoLocalProv.com:
With each week that passes, more rumors swirl about the future of the team and efforts in Rhode Island to retain the PawSox. There have been not publicly confirmed discussions between the Pawtucket Red Sox ownership group and Raimondo or economic development officials at RI Commerce in months.
Worcester officials are similarly refusing public comment on the future of the team. Many are predicting the PawSox officials will not announce their intentions until early September after the end of the PawSox’ season.
And, while the team’s lease continues until 2020, team officials have been reportedly evaluated Fitton Field at Holy Cross in Worcester as a potential interim location for the team until a new stadium in Worcester can be completed. As presently constructed, Fitton Field has a capacity of 3,000 and is home to a college league team — the Worcester Bravehearts.
As a current summer collegiate/college baseball facility, Fitton Field would likely need some work in order to accommodate a Triple-A club, even if it is on a temporary basis. Additionally, with little known about what type of ballpark plan Worcester would put together, it remains to be seen how quickly a new facility would open and whether the PawSox would view Fitton Field as their most viable option while waiting for construction to conclude.
At this point, there is much that remains to be determined about the PawSox’s future. The legislation for the new Pawtucket ballpark that passed in June left open several uncertainties, as it withdrew state backing of the bonds and instead put it on the back of bondholders, which is likely to result in higher borrowing rates.
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