Fitton Field is 'home base' to Worcester's new pro baseball team

The premier season for the Worcester Tornadoes — and the return of professional baseball to the city after 71 years — is in full swing.

A remarkable partnership forged by Holy Cross, City Hall, and the Tornadoes (a member of the independent Can-Am League) was celebrated on June 6, when a sold-out crowd in Fitton Field's brand-new ballpark watched their new hometown heroes defeat the Brockton Rox 8-3.

The arrival of a pro baseball team on campus is considered a model for Worcester's new UniverCity Partnership, an initiative that brings together resources of area colleges with public and private support to generate local economic development. Holy Cross has made Fitton Field available for Tornadoes games as well as the team's community and promotional events for a term of 10 years. The team constructed a new ballpark with permanent seating, lights, and full concessions. Primary sponsor of the team is Worcester-based Hanover Insurance, and during the season, the ballpark is called Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.

Frederick H. Eppinger, Holy Cross Class of 1981, is president and CEO of Allmerica Financial Corporation, parent company to Hanover Insurance. In making the sponsorship announcement, Eppinger joked: "As a property and casualty insurer, we generally try to keep a distance from tornadoes. But, in this case, we are happy to make an exception and excited to be the primary sponsor of the Tornadoes, welcoming professional baseball back to Worcester. Our relationship with the Tornadoes is in keeping with the Allmerica and Hanover tradition of teamwork and collaboration to make our community a better place for families to live and work."

Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., Holy Cross president, has emphasized that the College's closest neighbors — residents of College Hill, Quinsigamond Village, and South Worcester — as well as baseball fans throughout the city will now have access to a new family-friendly entertainment venue.

"The arrival of professional baseball continues the positive momentum that City Manager O'Brien and Mayor Murray have generated in bringing renewed economic development and a stronger sense of civic life to the city," said Father McFarland. "Sports, in particular baseball, can bring a community together in a way that few other activities can. Holy Cross is proud to contribute to this development as a part of the UniverCity Partnership. We are seeing what can be accomplished when the City, the colleges and universities and the business community work together for the common good."

On opening night, the new ballpark was filled to capacity with 3,000 fans. Father McFarland joined local dignitaries in throwing out the first pitch. Also on hand for the opening festivities were former president Rev. John Brooks, S.J. '49; Dr. Michael Collins '77, chairman of the Holy Cross Board of Trustees; John Glowik '73; former Holy Cross football standout Gordie Lockbaum '88; Worcester's assistant city manager Julie Jacobson '82; and Director of Athletics Dick Regan '76. Also attending was Rev. Francis Miller, S.J., who was an infielder for legendary Holy Cross baseball coach Jack Barry in the 1946 and 1947 seasons.

In February, Worcester Professional Baseball introduced Rich Gedman as the team's first manager. Gedman, a Worcester native, is best known as an All-Star catcher with the Boston Red Sox from 1980 to 1990. He concluded his 13-year major league career with the Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals.

The Tornadoes will play in the South Division of the Can-Am League, together with teams from Elmira, New Haven and New Jersey. Teams in the North Division are from Bangor, Brockton, Lynn and Quebec.

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