Minor league official makes case for new PawSox ballpark

PAWTUCKET – From his office in Ohio, International League president Randy Mobley is holding out hope that the plans for a proposed new Pawtucket Red Sox ballpark hasn’t reached a dead end.

“Hopefully it proves a speed bump, but it could be a mountain. We don’t know right now,” Mobley said when reached Friday. “I know everyone in Pawtucket who’s been involved continues to work hard and move this thing along.

“Hopefully we’re able to look back and say that it was a speed bump.”

PawSox team officials have remained quiet after state legislative leaders announced earlier this week that they felt there was not enough time in the current R.I. General Assembly session to properly review proposed funding for a ballpark that would be built on the Apex department store site. Mobley said he has talked a few times with Pawtucket chairman Larry Lucchino since the proposed ballpark plans hit a snag.

“They continue to keep this office well informed,” Mobley said.

On Wednesday, Pawtucket mayor Donald Grebien cautioned the PawSox would “stay monogamous” until July 1. The idea of the PawSox skipping town is one Mobley – I.L. boss since 1990 – doesn’t want to see gain traction.

“Pawtucket has been a fantastic operation in this league for a lot of years. The fans have been so very supportive. You never want to leave a situation like that because it’s the fans who lose,” Mobley said. “I’m absolutely hopeful that things can get worked out and that baseball will stay in Pawtucket for a lot of years.”

Mobley has seen the artist rendering of the proposed new PawSox ballpark and surrounding development parcels. He believes the concept of a mini-Fenway Park in Pawtucket is one that holds great appeal.

“Quite honestly, we would expect nothing less with Larry Lucchino’s experience with designing ballparks. He obviously knows how to get this done or how to do this,” Mobley said. “What they have proposed would be a facility not only for baseball, but their ideas with the public park and having access year round … it’s a very positive concept they’ve come up with.”