Building back on for ballpark
Construction has resumed on new Worcester ballpark
PAWTUCKET — With construction of the future home of the PawSox receiving the green light to resume, it might be time to wrap one’s head around the idea of the Triple-A ballclub having already played their final home game at McCoy Stadium.
Bear in mind the “Game
Over” sign has not been hung outside McCoy. With each passing day where the games remain absent, any hope of some semblance of a 2020 minor-league season continues to lose steam.
Polar Park in Worcester is slated to become the main hub for the Red Sox’ top minor-league affiliate in 2021.
It remains to be seen if the ballpark is able rto be completed on time after a construction shutdown that encompassed 5½ weeks. It egoes without saying that a longer delay would have strengthened the case for the PawSox to remain at McCoy just a bit longer.
“We are no doubt pleased at the news [to resume construction] not only for WooSox fans and those looking forward to Polar Park, but because it is a step forward in the community’s recovery from this striking scourge,” said PawSox Chairman/Principal Owner Larry Lucchino in a statement released Monday. “While we look forward to resuming the construction of Worcester’s new ballpark, we recognize that precautions, health, and safety remain paramount. We will support our local construction workers, and we will abide by the conditions set forth by our leaders to ensure an environment that complies with their public policy and expert medical recommendations. We will save an assessment of the delay and the adverse impacts for another day.”
If the PawSox were to play ball in Pawtucket while construction wraps up in Worcester, the team and city would need to negotiate a lease extension. The team’s current lease runs through the end of the 2020 season – which may not include so much as a single out recorded.
In recent weeks, Minor League Baseball officials have been forced to put out a series of fires concerning rumors that the 2020 campaign has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. For now, the plug has yet to be pulled. An official decision could come soon. This past weekend yielded reports that Major League Baseball is preparing to roll out a plan that would entail 80 regular-season games that would begin around July 1.