'Baseball in New England': With snow-out, frantic first week continues for WooSox at Polar
WORCESTER — Snowballs replaced baseballs at Polar Park Thursday.
With a late-season storm and a little over 3.2 inches of snowfall making its way to the Canal District, the Worcester Red Sox postponed their 3:05 p.m. game Thursday with the Buffalo Bisons. This is the team’s first ever snow-out at Polar Park.
After mourning the death of WooSox chairman Larry Lucchino on Opening Day, and losing to the Bisons in extra innings, the Worcester Red Sox were forced to postpone their next two games due to poor weather conditions.
It’s been a frantic first week for the WooSox in Worcester. Snowmen and all.
When your team has a lot of Texans who have never seen snow before... pic.twitter.com/4OGPJovePu
— WooSox Grounds Crew (@WooSoxGrounds) April 4, 2024
“As long as we’re in baseball season, let’s just enjoy that we have that privilege and that honor,” WooSox president Dr. Charles Steinberg said.
Lucchino’s passing early Tuesday cast a somber cloud over Polar Park.
The longtime baseball executive was instrumental in bringing Triple-A baseball to Worcester.
'He was truly irreplaceable': Larry Lucchino, who helped bring Red Sox to Worcester, dies at 78
With the American flag held at half-staff in center field, Lucchino’s initials placed on the right sleeve of the WooSox jerseys and a pregame moment of silence — the WooSox celebrated their former chairman ahead of the team’s loss to the Bisons in their home opener.
“It was one of the most proud moments to see the entire front office and event staff come together, take care of each other and support each other,” Steinberg said.
“He will be missed,” WooSox hitting coach Rich Gedman said.
Two days later, the WooSox still haven’t returned to the playing field as weather conditions this season — following the second rainiest summer in Worcester in 68 years — haven’t been ideal to begin the ballclub’s fourth year in Worcester.
“Baseball in New England: This is to be expected,” Steinberg said. “You’re going to play in cold weather in April and, if you’re fortunate, you’re going to play in cold weather in October. That comes with territory.
“I think that’s why New Englanders are as rugged and as battle tested as they are.”
.@TweetWorcester's @PolarPark covered in #snow Thursday morning as the spring #Noreaster continues.@WooSox@MiLB@Dan_Weather_Man@DurkinWeather#mawx#masnowpic.twitter.com/u0OAFfksEZ
— Spectrum News 1 Worcester (@SpecNews1Worc) April 4, 2024
With the postponements, Thursday’s game will be made up as part of a doubleheader in either May or June when the WooSox make separate trips to Buffalo to face the Bisons.
The two clubs will play a doubleheader Friday starting at 3:35 p.m. thanks to Wednesday’s rescheduling. Both games will be seven innings. Gates will open at 2:30 p.m. and fireworks will follow at the end of the second game.
Polar Park workers clear snow from the stands and field Thursday. Usher Matt Diggins called it “Sno-pening Week”. Today’s 3:05 game is postponed, making this the first ever snow-out at Polar Park. @tgsports@tommycassell44@WooSoxpic.twitter.com/InjOHxsYiQ
— Rick Cinclair (@RickCinclair) April 4, 2024
Additionally, the first 5,000 fans that attend Friday’s twin bill will receive a WooSox tumbler highlighting artwork of the Worcester skyline. The ball club is inviting fans to enjoy free hot chocolate on Friday and then at each game in April and May when they bring their tumbler to Polar Park.
The WooSox and Bisons are scheduled to play single games on Saturday (4:05 p.m.) and Sunday (1:05 p.m.) to complete this now-abbreviated five-game series at Polar Park.
—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Red Sox postpone home game with Buffalo Bisons due to snow