Larry Lucchino says 'these are exciting times' to be a WooSox fan at Polar Park
For Larry Lucchino, these are exciting times.
No stranger to building — or rebuilding — ballparks, the Worcester Red Sox chairman and principal owner previously helped oversee ballpark ventures in Baltimore (Camden Yards), San Diego (Petco Park), Boston (Fenway Park) and Florida (JetBlue Park) before bringing the Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate to Worcester.
Since opening on May 11, 2021, Lucchino continues to be happy with his latest project in Polar Park.
“It’s been really gratifying,” Lucchino, 77, said on Friday. “The reception of the ballpark has been sensational; fans have been highly complementary by both their comments and movement. We are pleased about the ballpark, but we’re especially pleased about what a great market Central Mass. is for Minor League Baseball.”
Ahead of the WooSox’ first homestand of the second half of the season, Lucchino and the organization announced more than a dozen initiatives that will launch at Polar Park beginning July 4.
The initiatives include low-priced kids’ hot dogs and low-priced beer options (and beer bats), grilled cheese, mac and cheese sandwiches and funnel cakes, as well as misting fans, ceiling fans, canopies and a sixth Blue Woo Shuttle golf cart for free transportation to and from parking lots.
The WooSox also will offer new play-by-play of their home games in Spanish, enhance the visitors’ clubhouse and help raise funds for pediatric oncology by raffling off an artistic "Jimmy Fund Cow" that will be on display at the main concourse behind home plate. In addition to these initiatives, Polar Park will present a “Family Fest at the Ballpark” on July 15 while the team is on the road.
Again, the WooSox have listened to suggestions from fans to enhance the experience at Polar Park.
“The ballpark continues to grow, evolve and reflect fan input,” Lucchino said in Tuesday’s press release. “We are seeking to make it even easier and even more affordable for families to enjoy an outing on summer days and nights.”
As for the product on the field, Lucchino is also pleased — even with the constant player movement that has seen 34 player transactions since June 18 and welcomed nine new players to Worcester in the past two weeks.
“There’s an old saying we had at the Orioles many years ago: ‘These are exciting times, and you have to be there,’ and I think these are exciting times at the ballpark with the team,” Lucchino said. “We have a near murderers’ row of a lineup with the offensive players. It’s a fun team to watch with the young players coming up filling the roster at the Red Sox level, and (at the) Triple-A level we have something to show our fans.”
— Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @tommycassell44.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: WooSox chairman Larry Lucchino announces new initiatives at Polar Park
