News Article: OT: Updated 6/20 - Pawsox future in Rhode Island in doubt

[Fenway]

Larry Lucchino has pulled the plug on new Providence stadium.

http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150919/NEWS/150919236/-1/breaking_ajax

If there is a Plan B - Larry isn't saying

House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello said Saturday that PawSox managing partner Larry Lucchino told him late this week the drive has ended to move the Pawtucket Red Sox to former Route 195 land and Brown University property in Providence.

But Lucchino told The Providence Journal Saturday evening that the team reached the conclusion about the site in the last week or so — but "the formal decision was largely made for us." Lucchino said Governor Raimondo "communicated to our partners" that the site wasn't suitable.

Negotiations for a Triple-A ballpark on that site have "ceased ... The project is not going to happen at that site," Mattiello said.

"They kind of just wanted to let me know that they were officially pulling out of that deal, [and] consideration of that property, because they could not secure the land," Mattiello said. "And [they] indicated to me that they had no particular prospects that they were considering, that they still loved the state of Rhode Island and would prefer to stay here but they would have to consider all options."

Lucchino said: "We were told it was not going to be a suitable site and there were too many obstacles that remained, and we ... heard loud and clear what we were being told."

Lucchino said the team is still looking in Rhode Island, but he said he would not talk further Saturday night. He said he was returning The Journal's phone call from his birthday celebration with family in Pittsburgh. Asked whether any Massachusetts communities have reached out to the team, Lucchino said, "No comment."

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[BigGoalBrad]

I don't really think it would work people in Providence would just rather take the train into Boston and go to Fenway Im sure the stadium would have been nice but it would have been empty. Minor league baseball is hardly a cash cow. Good for the city/town of Pawtucket McCoy is a nice ballpark I like that its in a residential neighborhood around houses right off the highway and not in the center of a city.

 

[GarbageGoal]

i expect they'll be off to Foxboro or Worcester.

**** you, Larry. Probably choreographing his **** you speech/dance to Rhode Island as we speak.

 

[Fenway]

i expect they'll be off to Foxboro or Worcester.

**** you, Larry. Probably choreographing his **** you speech/dance to Rhode Island as we speak.

Sadly Patriots Place seems to be the direction they are headed in.

Skeffington misread the political climate in RI after the 38 Studios debacle, the day he died he was furious at articles in the Journal. LL became the point person and rubbed everybody the wrong way.

One thing is clear, they are going to have to use their own money to build it as no other city has really stepped up.

from late July

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20150615/NEWS/150617687

 

[Fenway]

Bill Reynolds in the Journal thinks the Pawsox are moving out of state but where?

http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150921/SPORTS/150929820/13933/breaking_ajax

The biggest is the McCoy Stadium issue, and there's little question that there is strong public sentiment for the PawSox to stay there. It's familiar. It's always been fan friendly. Many people have good memories of going there. It's as Rhode Island as coffee milk. Everyone knows where it is. But Lucchino is on record saying that the PawSox are not staying there, not in the long term anyway.

In short, the PawSox will be going somewhere else. Maybe not next year. But soon. Patriot Place in Foxboro? Springfield? Worcester? Somewhere.
In short, McCoy is on life support, and there's no one around to help. It's as if the game is already over and no one has told us yet.

That seems to be the prevailing mentality here. As if the new PawSox ownership has tested the waters and found them murky. Maybe it would have been different if Skeffington had lived. And maybe it would have been different in a different time, back before people started believing that it's an outdated idea to use public money to finance private ventures. Back when there were more people who believed that government was there to help them, not help private businesses.

Back before Curt Schilling and his 38 Studios changed the game around here.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

Sadly Patriots Place seems to be the direction they are headed in.

Skeffington misread the political climate in RI after the 38 Studios debacle, the day he died he was furious at articles in the Journal. LL became the point person and rubbed everybody the wrong way.

One thing is clear, they are going to have to use their own money to build it as no other city has really stepped up.

from late July

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20150615/NEWS/150617687

Noone would go Patriot place would be a disaster it would be boycotted fiercely by anyone in Rhode Island and saving about 5-10 minutes in the car wouldn't entice anyone in MA McCoy is next to the highway PAtriot Place isn't.

 

[Fenway]

No one would go Patriot place would be a disaster it would be boycotted fiercely by anyone in Rhode Island and saving about 5-10 minutes in the car wouldn't entice anyone in MA McCoy is next to the highway Patriot Place isn't.

I think it is VERY possible you could see the PawSox move to Fenway for a year or two as FSG sorts out options.

McCoy is NOT next to the highway - I have been going there long enough to know the backways into the park.

 

[Black and Gold 84]

Good. I use to go to PawSox game in the old McCoy stadium.. they made that into a good ballpark and area. It should stay there.

 

[Sturm]

What exactly is wrong with staying at McCoy and in Pawtucket?

 

[BigBadBruin8]

Worcester, after losing the Sharks, should step up here and try to land the AAA Red Sox. I think they will put something together.

They have the Bravehearts of the FCBL (and they're great) but it's not the same as what the AAA Red Sox would be.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

I think it is VERY possible you could see the PawSox move to Fenway for a year or two as FSG sorts out options.

McCoy is NOT next to the highway - I have been going there long enough to know the backways into the park.

Its literally 1/10th of a mile from that Apex building/where 95 takes a 90 degree turn and there is an exit right there. Gillette is 3-4 miles each way to 95 and 495.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

Speaking of minor league baseball in Rhode Island I have always thought it would be great to put a single A team in that park in Newport inbetween THames St and Americas Cup Blvd.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I could see Springfield making a play, somehow tying it in with the new casino that will be built in 2017 (I believe). Could be part of a complete downtown makeover, which the city could really use.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

I could see Springfield making a play, somehow tying it in with the new casino that will be built in 2017 (I believe). Could be part of a complete downtown makeover, which the city could really use.

Ugh I hope not.


Ive changed my mind on casinos in MA hope they fail and don't ever get built I wont gamble a cent in casinos outside Nevada no sportsbooks are one thing but the lack of video keno is ridiculous the only slot machines I ever play are the keno ones and you can't find them ANYWHERE on the east coast really grinds my gears when you can't find your game. That new dump in Plainridge is a joke what a tax on the stupid. Video poker is boring why can't a man sit at the bar and play some caveman keno and drink free grey goose out here? SMH....

 

[Gee Wally]

Worcester, after losing the Sharks, should step up here and try to land the AAA Red Sox. I think they will put something together.

They have the Bravehearts of the FCBL (and they're great) but it's not the same as what the AAA Red Sox would be.

Today's Telegram and Gazette has Worcester interested.

 

[Therick67]

What exactly is wrong with staying at McCoy and in Pawtucket?

That's what I'm wondering as well..

 

[Black and Gold 84]

What exactly is wrong with staying at McCoy and in Pawtucket?

That's what I'm wondering as well..

I'm sure they want they're AAA team to be in a "bigger" city or the most populated city closest to Boston. And although I only go to Providence for the P-Bruins games I just don't see where you would put it. It's a "if its not broken, don't fix it" situation if you ask me. I love McCoy, and I was kinda pissed when I heard they wanted to move it.

 

[Spanky185]

The official line is that McCoy requires renovations and it's more financially feasible to build new than upgrade

The email I got in May says it's the oldest IL park, and an architect estimated that it would cost $65MM to renovate and upgrade the park.

 

[Fenway]

Its literally 1/10th of a mile from that Apex building/where 95 takes a 90 degree turn and there is an exit right there. Gillette is 3-4 miles each way to 95 and 495.

Actually it is about 8/10th's of a mile and getting off I-95 at Exit 29 is tricky if you don't know the way as their is no signage until you cross I-95. I usually get off at Newport Ave and go in that way.

One thing I am certain of, if they move from Pawtucket to out of state they will lose 90% of the RI fanbase. Playing at Fenway would allow FSG to open the gates more times and if they need the park for concerts they could play several AAA games in Portland or Lowell short term.

A friend works for the Pawsox and they told me Larry Lucchino was seldom around this season and let previous management run the operation. However a key part of the former ownership group has now walked away and long time employees are fearing for their jobs.

http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150905/SPORTS/150909537

“Lou Schwechheimer was a pillar on which the Pawtucket Red Sox franchise was built,” PawSox chief executive officer Mike Tamburro said. “His hard work, vision and creativity allowed the PawSox to take their place among minor-league baseball’s premier clubs. We know the next chapter in his career will be an extraordinary sequel.”

Schwechheimer declined to specify his plans for the future, but the Providence Journal has confirmed a report by the New Orleans Advocate that a Schwechheimer-led group will purchase the New Orleans Zephyrs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Schwechheimer also is expected to purchase ownership interest in a Single-A minor-league team now owned by Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken. Both transactions await only final approval from Major League Baseball to proceed, approval that is expected by the end of the month.

Currently Pawtucket's minor league territory includes the rights to the county it’s in, as well as abutting counties, regardless of state boundaries. Pawtucket is in Providence County which has a boundary with Worcester County in Mass so a move to Worcester is clean. Foxborough is another matter as under Minor League Rules it is considered LOWELL'S territory (Norfolk County touches Middlesex). The same applies to moving to Fenway as Suffolk County touches Middlesex. Springfield is considered Hartford territory. The Red Sox most certainly could work out a waiver from Lowell but Springfield would cost them.

Worcester is willing to listen to Pawtucket

http://www.telegram.com/article/20150921/NEWS/150929813/101485

Lucchino is a lawyer and spoke carefully, indicating that the Providence negotiations were still alive. It was clear, though, that he was aware that Worcester was one of several places that had expressed some interest in having the PawSox move there.

Beyond that, he was more specific in talking about the kind of place he’d like to locate the team if the Providence riverfront talks fell through, and Worcester sounded like it had all the requirements, especially a downtown urban location.
That was Thursday. Since then, the talks have ended. The riverfront ballpark won’t be built. It is open season, and Worcester has what is probably a once-a-century chance to attract Triple-A baseball, and Triple-A baseball with a Red Sox affiliation.
It would seem, at least, to be worth a look.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20150920/SPORTS/150929880


Another option is building at Twin River Casino in Lincoln.

 

[Black and Gold 84]

The official line is that McCoy requires renovations and it's more financially feasible to build new than upgrade

The email I got in May says it's the oldest IL park, and an architect estimated that it would cost $65MM to renovate and upgrade the park.

I don't agree with that. I like the park, I haven't noticed anything that needs to be renovated. Then again, I use to go to the old one.

 

[Therick67]

The official line is that McCoy requires renovations and it's more financially feasible to build new than upgrade

The email I got in May says it's the oldest IL park, and an architect estimated that it would cost $65MM to renovate and upgrade the park.

The Sox could afford it, make it nice and leave it where it's always been.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Ugh I hope not.


Ive changed my mind on casinos in MA hope they fail and don't ever get built I wont gamble a cent in casinos outside Nevada no sportsbooks are one thing but the lack of video keno is ridiculous the only slot machines I ever play are the keno ones and you can't find them ANYWHERE on the east coast really grinds my gears when you can't find your game. That new dump in Plainridge is a joke what a tax on the stupid. Video poker is boring why can't a man sit at the bar and play some caveman keno and drink free grey goose out here? SMH....

Sorry to say, but the casino is a done deal. I am not a big casino-goer myself, but I would rather have Mass benefiting from it than CT.

 

[Therick67]

Sorry to say, but the casino is a done deal. I am not a big casino-goer myself, but I would rather have Mass benefiting from it than CT.

Mass should have gotten it's head out of it's *** 15 years ago and got this done. I've been to the casinos a few times - and the parking lots are always full of MA plates.

 

[Fenian24]

Speaking of minor league baseball in Rhode Island I have always thought it would be great to put a single A team in that park in Newport inbetween THames St and Americas Cup Blvd.

They have an NECBL team the Newport Gulls, it's a great park. Can also watch games from the bar in right field.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

They have an NECBL team the Newport Gulls, it's a great park. Can also watch games from the bar in right field.

For sure just short season single A would be more appealing than the similar but lesser version of the cape league. The other teams in that league play at local high school fields for the most part.

When the Red Sox were at their peak of popularity the Lowell Spinners sold out every game and season tickets had a wait list. Single A in Newport IMO would get the same sort of crowd and buzz. Wouldn't even need to be Red Sox (or Yankees) affiliated to work well.