'Players are going to be more accessible than ever': Bravehearts ride enthusiasm of new ownership entering 11th season
After an offseason that began with sold-or-fold uncertainty, the Bravehearts find themselves back in Worcester and on solid footing.
They're back with new owners, innovative ideas and a continued commitment to provide an affordable, entertaining and winning product when the Futures League collegiate summer baseball team embarks on its 11th season Memorial Day weekend.
“Well, I think that right now, I’m more excited than I have been since the team started in 2014,” longtime general manager and eternally energetic Dave Peterson said earlier this week during a break from prep work at Fitton Field on the Holy Cross campus.
“The Vaccaro family is investing heavily in the Bravehearts, they’re investing heavily in Holy Cross, and they’re looking to bring a new business model to the city that will keep us growing for years to come.”
The Vaccaros purchased the Bravehearts from another Shrewsbury family, the Creedons, who had owned the franchise since its inception, in early February, completing a deal that had been months in the making.
The Bravehearts open the season Friday morning at Westfield and then face the Starfires again in their home opener at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, which will see John Creedon Jr., Julie Creedon-Linton and Matt Vaccaro throw out ceremonial first pitches.
It’s the start of what the Vaccaros — Frank is the owner, while sons Matt and, to a lesser extent, Frankie, are involved in the operation — envision as a long and prosperous venture that is fantastically fan friendly.
“My family and I are looking to grow this team in and around the city of Worcester, not only for the next four years, but for years to come,” said team president Matt Vaccaro, referencing the four-year lease the Bravehearts signed with Holy Cross earlier this month.
“We just want to make sure that when people come to the ballpark they’re having a great time, they have a smile on their faces, and they’re building memories that make them want to come back to more Bravehearts games.”
To that end, the Bravehearts have introduced single-tier, all-encompassing ticketing that should have longtime supporters and first-time fans beaming.
All tickets are now priced at $20 ($18 for seniors and veterans) and include parking, admission and lengthy access to an extensive all-you-can-eat menu.
“It gives people a chance when they come to the ballpark to know what they’re really going to spend,” Vaccaro said.
Fans can get an entree, a side and a drink during each trip to the concession stand up until two hours after the game starts.
The entree options are hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, sausages, chicken sandwiches and nachos. Sides are chips and popcorn balls, and drinks are canned Pepsi products, Capri-Sun and bottled water. (Vegetarian options also are available.)
There also will be daily specials included with macaroni and cheese on Sunday and Tuesday, chicken nuggets on Wednesday and Thursday, and Table Talk apple pies on Friday and Saturday.
In addition, a variety of a la carte items are available for purchase, including pizza from the Home Plate Pizza truck, Bravehearts green mint ice cream from Gibson’s Dairy Farm in Worcester, fried dough and French fries.
The Bravehearts previously had an all-you-can-eat option for ticketholders to purchase separately, but opted to package admission and food together this year, following the lead of the Savannah Bananas, arguably the most popular baseball team in the country due to the revolutionary ideas they’ve brought to the sport.
“I certainly don’t think we are the Savannah Bananas, and I don’t want the fans to think we’re going full Bananas,” Peterson said. “I want them to understand, though, that the model they use is a very successful model that is being implemented here, not just with the all-you-can-eat concessions, but with the player interaction on the field and in the stands.
“I think fans are really going to love the fact players are at the front gate ripping tickets, going through the stands taking selfies with kids, signing autographs. The players are going to be more accessible than ever.”
As for the on-the-field product, the four-time league champion Bravehearts, who have advanced to the playoffs in nine or their 10 seasons, again have a talented roster stocked with a heavy dose of players with Central Mass. roots.
A sampling of the locals includes pitchers Nik Pavia (Nashoba/Franklin Pierce), Evan Remington (Oxford/Assumption) and Brady Stuart (Hudson/Endicott), catcher Tyler Smith (Leominster/Worcester State), and infielder Joey Rubin (St. Peter-Marian/Alabama).
Mav Rizy, who just completed a stellar career at Worcester Academy and is committed to defending national champion Louisiana State University, will start the home opener.
The 6-foot-10, 248-pound right-hander from Fiskdale is scheduled to make three starts for the Bravehearts before heading to the invitation-only Major League Baseball scouting combine in mid-June ahead of the draft in mid-July.
“He’s obviously going to get looked at by a lot of Major League Baseball teams and potentially get drafted in July,” Peterson said. “So I’m happy we have him for the beginning of the season.”
Rizy’s older brother, Kyle, and close family friend Matt Shaw, who hails from Brimfield and was drafted 13th overall by the Chicago Cubs last summer, previously played for the Bravehearts.
—Contact Rich Garven at rgarven@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @RichGarvenTG.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Bravehearts ride enthusiasm of new ownership, new ideas entering 11th season
