Free, fun-filled WooSox Winter Weekend slated for Jan. 28-31
WORCESTER — WooSox 2022 has arrived.
After a successful inaugural 2021 season, the team has been working toward the upcoming year and it will be celebrated as part of the WooSox Winter Weekend, Jan. 28-31, at Polar Park.
The team will unveil numerous initiatives, and will also introduce new manager Chad Tracy.
The four-day baseball extravaganza will feature interactive sessions with players, club officials and fans. Due to COVID-19 protocols, the event is virtual and fans can connect for free at www.woosox.com/winterweekend.
This tradition began at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and now it makes its debut in Worcester.
Festivities kick off with a virtual WooSox Town Hall from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, featuring principal owner Larry Lucchino, and ballpark design consultant Janet Marie Smith.
The duo will unveil a host of improvements, innovations and promotions for the upcoming season.
The team held a similar panel discussion after the conclusion of last season, and Lucchino took many of the fans’ suggestions and put them into motion.
Both Lucchino and Smith will be fielding questions again during the town hall.
The team is providing a Zoom link at woosox.com/winterweekend to participate.
NESN also is planning to air a rebroadcast of the panel discussion.
The virtual events begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, with a WooSox trivia challenge, hosted by Polar Park public address announcer Ben DeCastro.
Tracy, along with hitting coach Rich Gedman, former Red Sox slugger Mo Vaughn, and 2004 Red Sox World Series closer Keith Foulke will be participate in a virtual panel Jan. 29.
Tracy and Gedman will take questions from fans, while broadcaster Josh Maurer moderates the discussion, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Dr. Charles Steinberg and WooSox vice president/general manager Dan Rea will introduce what’s new for 2022. The team will unveil the season’s promotional calendar with some special announcements at 11:30 a.m.
WooSox players Kyle Hart, Kaleb Ort, John Schreiber, Ryan Fitzgerald and Grant Williams will participate in the Teammate Challenge, including popular game shows Family Feud, the Newlywed Game and Catchphrase.
Foulke will hold a discussion with WooSox season ticket-holders, along with booster club members from 2-3 p.m. WooSox broadcaster Jim Cain will moderate the chat with the 2004 World Series hero.
On Sunday, Jan. 30, the WooSox and the WooSox Foundation will visit different locations around Worcester, and surrounding towns, for a good-will tour. More details of this event will be announced during the team’s Jan. 28 town hall event.
On Monday, Jan. 31, on the eve of Black History Month, the WooSox again will celebrate of the life of Jackie Robinson. Red Sox Hall of Famer Tommy Harper, along with Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd, Gedman, Sam Horn and current WooSox first baseman Josh Ockimey will hold a discussion at 10 a.m. with Worcester Public Schools students.
Season ticket-holders and booster club members will participate in a similar Zoom at 6 p.m.
Finally, single game tickets for WooSox home games in April and May go on sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Polar Park box office, online at woosox.com, or by calling 508-500-8888.
Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Free, fun-filled WooSox Winter Weekend comes to Polar Park Jan. 28-31
