Massachusetts

Worcester Makes Push for the PawSox

A Massachusetts city council is expected to pass a resolution directing the city manager to try and bring the Pawtucket Red Sox from Rhode Island.

The resolution to be considered by the Worcester City Council at Tuesday night's meeting directs the city manager to “do all that is reasonably in his power to facilitate this move.”

The resolution was proposed by Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty.

The Boston Red Sox Triple-A affiliate says it needs a new home to replace aging McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket.

Efforts for $23 million in state money to help build a new stadium in Pawtucket have so far failed.

While there is no stadium financing plan in place in Worcester, residents in central Massachusetts say they would welcome the team to the area.

“If the PawSox came to Worcester that would be so great,” said Mary Siker, of Worcester

“I would love it, I love baseball, I would love to see them,” said Mary Condon, of Leominster.

With the city council expected to vote in favor of a resolution to allow the city to try to woo the PawSox here – the team could be known as the "WooSox".

“It’s an opportunity that most cities and communities may never get,” Worcester City Councilor Tony Economou said.

The proposed property for the stadium would be here on Madison Street in the Canal District, site of the former Wyman Gordon plant.

“We have this vacant eye sore sitting there that if a ballpark were built there it could attract 5,000 people a day for a game, which would just benefit the whole Canal District and the city of Worcester,” Canal District Alliance President Gene Zabinski said.

While the PawSox declined to comment, the mayor of Pawtucket told NBC Boston that the PawSox “belong in Pawtucket” and they will fight to keep them there.

“Rhode Island has some legislation pending to build a stadium and keep the PawSox there at a cost of in excess of $80 million dollars,” Worcester City Councilor Konstantina Lukes said.

She is concerned the PawSox may be using Worcester to scare Rhode Island into committing to put up the money for a new stadium and staying put in Pawtucket.

“I think we are being led to the altar, being courted and seduced to get there and we’re going to be left there,” Lukes said.

The proposed location where the PawSox stadium could go is where the old Wyman Gordon facility is.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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