Worcester’s new Futures League baseball team, has a name — the “Worcester Bravehearts”. The team name was selected as a finalist along with four others from more than 1,000 name ideas submitted by the public. Finalists were chosen based on each name’s uniqueness and significance to Worcester. Of the five finalists, the “Bravehearts” name was then voted for overwhelmingly by the public with a two-to-one margin in the naming contest. The name “Bravehearts” was submitted by Kevin Hunt of Charlton. Hunt will win season tickets for life, an authentic team jersey and cap, and will throw out the first pitch at the team’s home opener on June 5, 2014, on Fitton Field at the College of the Holy Cross.
Team owner John W.S. Creedon, Jr.,explained that the team name has two meaningful components. First, the “Brave” component is a tribute to Worcester’s brave men and women in uniform serving locally and abroad. More particularly, the word “Brave” is also an homage to Worcester’s recent fallen firefighters who epitomized bravery including Jon Davies who perished on December 8, 2011, as well as the six who perished in the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse fire on December 3, 1999 (Paul Brotherton, Timothy Jackson, Jeremiah Lucey, Jay Lyons, Joseph McGuirk, and Thomas Spencer). Tuesday marks the fourteenth anniversary of the Cold Storage Warehouse firefighters’ bravery, and Sunday marks the second anniversary of Jon Davies’ bravery. Second, the “hearts” component is a reference to Worcester’s nickname as the “Heart of the Commonwealth.”
“We are humbled to name the team in honor of all those in Worcester who presently answer the call of duty to protect and serve, and especially as a tribute to Worcester’s fallen firefighters who demonstrated legendary bravery,” said Creedon. “The courage of these heroic people – past and present – defines and galvanizes our city. We will wear the name with pride and respect.”
As the team’s key presenting sponsor, The Hanover Insurance Group entered into an agreement with the team which includes naming rights to the Bravehearts’ home field on the campus of the College of the Holy Cross. The field, which is considered to be one of the premier ballparks in New England, will be known as Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.
“We’re very happy to help bring baseball back to Worcester,” said Frederick H. Eppinger ’81, president and chief executive officer of The Hanover Insurance Group. “The Futures League offers an exciting brand of baseball, showcasing the game’s best young talent and stars of tomorrow. The team is a great fit for our city, adding another dimension to the broad range of entertainment opportunities available to residents of Central Massachusetts and visitors to the city and the region.”
In September, the College of the Holy Cross announced the new partnership with the City, local business owner John W.S. Creedon Jr., and the Futures League, to bring summer baseball back to Fitton Field.
The Worcester Bravehearts play their first home game on Thursday, June 5, 2014, followed by three more consecutive home games June 6, 7 & 8. For more information visit: http://www.worcesterbaseball.com/.
Related Information
- Summer Baseball Returns to Fitton Field June 5
- Worcester Baseball Unveils Five Finalists in Team Naming Contest
- Holy Cross Partners With City of Worcester and Futures League to Bring Baseball Back to Worcester
