Lucchino excited to continue improving WooSox and Polar Park experience in 2023 and beyond

WORCESTER — The sun was shinning directly into Larry Lucchino’s office so much that he had to squint while looking onto Madison Street.

Construction continues around Polar Park while the WooSox’ principal owner watches from his desk every day as the Canal District is transformed into what should become the most vibrant area of the city.

Lucchino described the entire project still a work in progress, saying it has reached 90% completion.

“We still have work to do to make sure the project is a win-win proposition for the city and the team,” he said. “It’s already a win for the team, we just want to make sure it works for the city and gives it the kind of development it was hoping for in this part of town.”

The WooSox enjoyed another successful season on and off the field. Fans visited the area in record numbers. The team enjoyed 42 sellouts in 73 openings, which equals 57.5 percent.

“It’s been even greater than our expectations,” Lucchino said. “The warmth and positive reception that we as an organization, and our players, have received has been off the charts, and we’re really pleased with the first couple of years.”

The numbers speak for themselves.

The WooSox welcomed 532,152 fans to Polar Park and averaged 7,290 per game. The team finished fifth in attendance in all of Minor League Baseball (out of 120 cities). In two seasons, 894,711 fans have visited the Canal District.

“If you had said that to someone a couple of years ago, they would have laughed at you,” Lucchino said with a smile.

On the field, Lucchino is proud of the fact that the team has enjoyed back-to-back winning seasons in the first two years at Polar Park. Fans watched plenty of prospects develop in Worcester before heading to Fenway Park.

“The bridge between Worcester and Boston has been well established over the last couple of years,” he said.

A year ago, a California-based company showed interest in purchasing the WooSox, but Lucchino wasn’t selling. At the time, he stated that maybe one day he would consider selling his stake in the team, but Lucchino is rejuvenated. He’s more involved and has no plans to step away.

“My personal plans are to stay here and finish the job,” he said. “When I say ‘finish the job’ I mean finish the ballpark and finish the project as well, so that there’s progress on development in this area, because that’s what the city was banking on, using the ballpark as a development and planning device.”

Lucchino’s promise was to help the Canal District to become a vibrant, more integrated section of Worcester.

“We’re determined to accomplish that,” he said. “I want to keep it beautiful. I want to keep it pretty. I really think we’re on the road to having a real special ballpark that will have a history and a life onto itself. So it’s important to me that every change we make has an aesthetic component to it that makes it look like it’s always been here.”

The witty slogan for next season will be: WooSox 23: Even more to do and see.

Lucchino basically wants something new every season so fans still get excited to come to the ballpark and experience something different. Plans are already in the works for 2023, and he’s excited about the upgrades and additions.

Until the city’s developer finds a tenant, the building planned for beyond the left field wall is on standby. The foundation is ready to go, but until construction begins, the team will utilize the space for its fans in a few unique ways.

The most popular likely will be the tailgate area. Lucchino explained between 25 and 30 vehicles will be allowed to tailgate before, during and after games while still being able to see the field.

“There will be tailgating at Polar Park,” he said with a smile. “It’s going to be cool.”

For those fans who frequent Polar Park, the team has developed a robust rewards program to be announced this winter. It was Lucchino’s idea, and he’s thrilled about the possibility of spoiling those who spoil the team.

“It will be second-to-none in baseball,” he said.

Again this season, the fans spoke and Lucchino listened as far as added amenities at the ballpark. So next season, there will be additional shaded areas for those hot summer days. Gate B will be enhanced as more of a gathering spot for fans. More drink rails will be added throughout the ballpark, along with a new swing set installed on the Eighth Hill beyond the left field foul pole.

“The design of the ballpark will be evolving in year three,” he said.

The WooSox held Heritage Day last summer to honor the organization’s 50 years in Pawtucket. Many Rhode Islanders who claimed they would never step foot in Worcester for a baseball game changed their minds and gave it a try. While most are still disappointed the team relocated, they were impressed with the new ballpark and have become regular visitors to Polar Park.

Lucchino was looking at a map of New England, pointed to Rhode Island and said he’s happy the relationship with some fans from the Ocean State has been mended.

“I’m glad they have embraced the ballpark,” Lucchino said. “We’ve tried to be good to them and tried to preserve some of those traditions.”

The WooSox kept alive one of those traditions this season. For 72 years, children from the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, have attended Major League Baseball’s World Series. The PawSox joined forces with the organization in 1991 for the annual event that sends two youngsters (and a parent of each) on an all-expenses-paid trip to the World Series.

This season, Nallah Goss, 10, of Pawtucket, and Nolan Myers, 9, of East Providence, Rhode Island, won the trip of a lifetime and attended Games 1 and 2 of the World Series in Houston, Texas, to watch the Astros host the Philadelphia Phillies.

“I’m proud of it,” Lucchino said of the tradition.

As Lucchino sat in his sun-soaked office recently, plans and drawings were strewn all over his desk. He explained each one in detail, and he’s thrilled to execute upcoming plans one for the fans in 2023.

When asked how many pitches he has remaining in his throwing arm, Lucchino laughed and answered: “I’ve got plenty left. I barely think about it. Certainly, success makes it even sweeter.”

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Tailgating for WooSox among plenty of Polar Park upgrades planned for 2023