Holy Cross, the City of Worcester, and Worcester Professional Baseball Sign Agreement to Move Forward with Plans for Opening Day at Fitton Field

WORCESTER, Mass. – After six weeks of intensive negotiations, the City of Worcester, Worcester Professional Baseball LLC, and the College of the Holy Cross announced today they have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to proceed with plans for the team to play at Fitton Field beginning in the spring.

The three parties announced the signing of the agreement at a press conference today at the College.

"The College is delighted to be a partner in bringing baseball to Worcester and accommodating the team on our campus," said Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., president of Holy Cross, in a statement. "This agreement required a great deal of work and cooperation by all parties in a very short time frame. We are pleased to have a solid plan in place as this significant change to our campus and the neighborhood takes shape." Fr. McFarland was traveling and could not attend the press conference.

"Baseball fans throughout Worcester and central Massachusetts should praise the effort and cooperation of both Holy Cross and the City of Worcester in returning professional baseball to Worcester after 71 years," said team President and CEO Alan Stone. "We are thrilled that Fr. McFarland, his Trustees and administrative leadership have allowed us to be guests on their campus and utilize historic Fitton Field with its rich baseball history and tradition."

City Manager Michael V. O’Brien stated that the real progress made on this effort is due to the strong partnerships forged and the spirit of teamwork. "The entire community is energized and more than enthusiastic that first class, professional baseball is back in Worcester, at historic Fitton Field. The City of Worcester is grateful for the commitment of the College of the Holy Cross, Fr. McFarland, his Trustees, Worcester Professional baseball, the Mayor and the Worcester City Council who have demonstrated their desire to put Worcester on the map as a true baseball city."

The signed agreement calls for Worcester Professional Baseball, a member of the independent Can Am League, to construct a permanent ballpark with seating capacity of approximately 3,000. The terms of the agreement also include a five-year lease for the team to play at Fitton Field. An artist’s rendering of the proposed ballpark design was presented at the press conference.

Additional details - including the construction plan, scheduling, parking, and security - will be presented at a neighborhood meeting, set for 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 21 at the Hogan Center, Room 402, at the College. All are invited and encouraged to attend this meeting and discussion.

Opening day is scheduled for Saturday, May 28. The team will have use of Fitton Field for approximately 46 home dates plus training, practices, up to eight possible playoff games, camps, and other community events.

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For more information contact:

Michael V. O’Brien, City Manager City of Worcester (508) 799-1175 CityManager@ci.worcester.ma.us

Mike Lieberman, General Manager Worcester Professional Baseball, LLC (508) 792-2288 mike@worcesterprobaseball.com

Ellen Ryder, Director of Public Affairs College of the Holy Cross (508) 793-2419 eryder@holycross.edu

Miles Wolff, Commissioner, Can Am League Dan Moushon, President, Can Am League (919) 401-8150 mwolff@canamleague.com dmoushon@canamleague.com