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It's fairly certain that there will be no affiliated minor league baseball at all this year. Whether or not Polar Park is completed on time remains to be seen; my hunch is it will not be. Three months ago I would have guessed that the team would either play at Fitton Field or spend a season on the road if Polar Park wasn't done on time. Now, I'm assuming that there will be distancing restrictions in place once spectator sports do come back, and Fitton Field won't hold nearly enough distanced fans to make it worthwhile. I'm hoping it means one more season at McCoy, but the "road warrior" option is still also a possibility.
MiLB cancels 2020 season, abruptly ending PawSox’ time in RI
"It appears that the Pawtucket Red Sox may have already played their last game at McCoy Stadium, after Minor League Baseball (MiLB) canceled its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic."
People that live in the Providence metro region have essentially gotten a one year jump on not attending any AAA baseball games. They will very likely not be following the team to Worcester.
I don't see the team's "optimism" that Polar Park is completed by April as realistic. That might mean another at least partial season of AAA at McCoy, unless it means Fitton Field or "road warriors."
The Atlantic League is still short one hometown for 2021.
February-2020 Already skeptical economists say the increased $30M cost of Polar Park make it even less likely to pay for itself. Holy Cross professor has concerns that city will either have to layoff many police, firefighters, and teachers or raise taxes to pay off bonds. Odds increase against Polar Park breaking even, economists say https://www.wbjournal.com/article/od...economists-say
April-2020 All construction on Polar Park is shut down due to the virus. The suspension ends up lasting nearly 7 weeks. Its effect on an already tight construction schedule is undetermined. Polar Park Construction Halted Due To Coronavirus https://patch.com/massachusetts/worc...k-construction
May-2020 Due to the pandemic, the company developing the surrounding area has put work on hold for at least a year, delaying the tax-collection bonanza the city is counting on to repay its bonds. City Betting on Red Sox Boon Sees Stadium Plan Stall on Lockdown https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/a...it-by-lockdown
June-2020 Recent warning from a former 30 year member of the Worcester City Council about what could be in store for taxpayers: Lukes: Don’t let Polar Park prevent Worcester from funding essential services https://www.telegram.com/news/202006...ntial-services
People that live in the Providence metro region have essentially gotten a one year jump on not attending any AAA baseball games. They will very likely not be following the team to Worcester.
other than some local youth groups doing field trips to Worcester's stadium, the Providence Metro business and fan community will not support them in Worcester. Unlike the major league team, it will be out of mind and out of place. Bring in the next team to support.
I don't see the team's "optimism" that Polar Park is completed by April as realistic. That might mean another at least partial season of AAA at McCoy, unless it means Fitton Field or "road warriors."
The Atlantic League is still short one hometown for 2021.
There were media tours of the facility this week which previewed the semblance of the future park. Supposedly near 50% of construction has already been completed. I checked it out myself last Thursday when I was in Worcester. A lot of activity is going on in that area with the stadium and road reconfiguration. Still seems to be lot more to do. They only have about nine months until opening day and nearly half of that time will be during a Worcester winter which typically is not conducive to construction projects.
I don't see the team's "optimism" that Polar Park is completed by April as realistic. That might mean another at least partial season of AAA at McCoy, unless it means Fitton Field or "road warriors."
The Atlantic League is still short one hometown for 2021.
It came up in the Governor's press conference today - the City and State were talking to "a number of" A and AA teams about relocating to McCoy, but with things as they are (pandemic and impending contraction) she didn't know what lies ahead.
It came up in the Governor's press conference today - the City and State were talking to "a number of" A and AA teams about relocating to McCoy, but with things as they are (pandemic and impending contraction) she didn't know what lies ahead.
There was recent news on the Lowell Spinners situation as well. The city was in danger of losing its team due to the possibility of MLB reducing the number of its affiliated minor league teams. Seems that MLB is rethinking its contraction plans and a Single A team will likely remain there. The continued affiliation with the Boston Red Sox however is no given as the contract is soon expiring and there are some who think it may not be extended.
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