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Blog / Month: July 2021

FredNats finally found their forever home

The Potomac Nationals used to play in an awful ballpark in a location that was anything but ideal. After years and years of searching and negotiating, they’ve landed in Fredericksburg, Virginia, about 30 miles south of their former home.

The number of sell-outs is racking up, merchandise is flying off the shelves and the owners of the newly renamed Fredericksburg Nationals — or FredNats for short — are finally enjoying a sense of community identity.

Read our just-posted review of the ballpark to learn why.

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The “positively alien” Janet Marie Smith

Janet Marie Smith has no equal when it comes to ballpark planning. From the creation of Camden Yards in Baltimore to the brand-new Center Field Plaza at Dodger Stadium and Polar Park in Worcester, when her fingerprints are on a project, it turns out beautifully well.

In the photo with her is WooSox team president Charles Steinberg.

Check out our essay on her career, and get her perspective as well as thoughts about her from Dodgers President Stan Kasten and Larry Lucchino, former president of the Orioles, Padres and Red Sox.  Lucchino, who has hired and re-hired Smith four times, is the one who called her “positively alien.” Read our article to find out why.

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After 86 years without affiliated ball, Worcester is back with a smile

The last time Worcester, Mass. had affiliated Minor League baseball was in 1934. No doubt, its proximity to Boston — and the Red Sox’ territorial rights — kept prospective teams away. Now, though, the Red Sox are following the lead of teams like the Astros, Twins, Rangers and Yankees in pulling their Double-A or Triple-A affiliates closer to the big-league club.

The Worcester Red Sox — or WooSox for short — are playing in brand-new Polar Park. It took a lot of money to build, but was it money well spent? Check out our in-depth look at the park to learn about its site, its design and its features. And there are 37 photos you won’t see anywhere else!

And did you know the circular, yellow smiley face that you see everywhere was created by a Worcester resident? It’s incorporated in many cute ways at this park. Just one of the many things you’ll learn in our review!

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