Polar Park - Worcester Red Sox
- Paul Baker
- 5 days ago
- 8 min read
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
Polar Park 122 Madison St Worcester, MA 01610
Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 9,508
Worcester’s Blue Bandbox
In February 2015 a group of investors, including former Boston Red Sox President Larry Lucchino, purchased the Pawtucket Red Sox from the family of the late Ben Mondor. The ownership group immediately began a search for a new ballpark, as the Pawsox’ longtime home, McCoy Stadium, was deemed unfit without major reconstruction. After several proposed plans in Pawtucket and Providence fell through, it was soon announced that the team would relocate to Worcester (pronounced “Woo-stah”), MA for the 2021 season.
The new facility would be a part of a proposed live-work-play development. Cost for the ballpark alone would reach $159.5 million, making this the most expensive minor league stadium ever built. Polar Beverages purchased naming rights for the ballpark. The Red Sox, colloquially called the “WooSox,” played their first game on May 11, 2021.
Worcester was once home to a Major League Baseball team. The Worcester Worcesters (alternately known as the Brown Stockings or Ruby Legs) played in the National League from 1880 to 1882. The first perfect game in Major League history was thrown in Worcester, by Lee Richmond against the Cleveland Blues on June 12, 1880. The Worcester team was dropped by the league to make way for a franchise in Philadelphia that became the Phillies.
Food & Beverage 5
Concessions have become a point of emphasis in all new sports facilities as a way to maximize the fan experience. Polar Park is no exception, as there is great quality and variety in the concessions offered (a complete map of concessions can be found here). There is a particular emphasis here to use local companies and products (which will be a recurring theme throughout this review).
Among the local favorites fans can sample at a WooSox game are slices from Wonder Bar Pizza, hot wieners from George’s Coney Island and sausages from The Sausage Guy. Since we’re in New England, it’s only natural that you can grab a lobster roll or clam chowder at the cart in right field. If you are looking for a snack, personal-sized Table Talk Pies (their factory is located next door to Polar Park) are sold at all stands for just $2. Be warned that concessions lines are long, although they do move well.
The cola wars have skipped Polar Park entirely, as the ballpark sponsor, Polar Beverages, provides the drinks here. If visiting from out of town, Stadium Journey recommends the orange dry. The best way to describe one is it tastes like an orange soda and a ginger ale had a delicious soda baby.
The craft beer game is strong at Polar Park. Drafts from Wachusett, Harpoon, Sam Adams and Greater Good are featured throughout the ballpark. The star of the show at Polar Park is Worcester-based Wormtown Brewery, which offers up several brews, including “Don’t Worry, Be Hoppy,” “Mass Whole,” and a mash-up with Table Talk Pies, “Blueberry Lemon Pie Ale.”
If all these choices don’t do it for you, take a walk on Summit Street, open behind the center field stands during games. The Taste of Worcester, featuring a rotation of local restaurants, can be found here alongside other favorites.
Atmosphere 5
Fans of the Red Sox AAA franchise who have followed the team back to its days in Rhode Island may remember the strong community connection the team had in Pawtucket. In Worcester, that connection has been turned up to eleven. While planning the construction of Polar Park, fan feedback and ideas were actively solicited and used, and this process has continued over the team’s early years. As you look around the park, it’s evident that fan input is taken to heart.
Park is a bandbox, with precious little foul territory and fans right on top of the action. There are numerous social gathering areas throughout the ballpark that all fans can access, giving the park a community feel and a lively buzz during games.
The giant, if poorly placed, video scoreboard in left field is put to good use with game stats, replays, and features throughout the game. The sound system is clear and there is noise and activity going on throughout the park all game long. The team’s unique mascot, Smiley Ball, has been the subject of much derision, but even it has a Worcester-related back story. Harvey Ball, a Worcester native, designed the famous yellow Smiley Face (think “have a nice day”) in 1963. Smiley Ball now heads a team of four mascots that roam Polar Park and help with promotions all game long.
Of course, with Worcester located firmly in Red Sox territory, there’s no doubt that this is a Red Sox affiliate. Replicas of Red Sox championship rings stand in the entrance plaza and one of the duck boats from the 2007 World Series parade sits atop the left field berm.
Neighborhood 3
Polar Park is in the Canal District of Worcester, traditionally one of the city’s least desirable neighborhoods. However, recent years have seen a revival, with development happening, including the nearby Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center. The ballpark was planned to be the centerpiece of a mixed-use tax district designed to pay off the cost of the ballpark, but those developments have been slow to come to fruition and have been severely downsized. One project, the so-called “Left Field Building,” has been terminated, leaving only a foundation completed behind the left field berm.
Green Street, just a few blocks from Polar Park, is home to several bars and restaurants worth a visit before or after a WooSox game. The Worcester Public Market contains several locally owned specialty shops and eateries, including Wachusett Brew Works. Other spots to check out near Polar Park include the Miss Worcester Diner, the Hanover Theater and the Worcester Historical Museum.
Worcester’s famous “Restaurant Row,” located on Shrewsbury Street, is located just over a mile from Polar Park. With more than 40 restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining, diners to brew halls, there is something for all tastes here. With a plethora of shops and eateries, it’s a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll on a beautiful summer day. The DCU Center, home of the ECHL’s Worcester Railers, is located just over a mile away in the Central Business District.
Fans 5
Worcester couldn’t be more excited to be the new home of the Red Sox’ top farm team. With Fenway Park located a mere 44 miles to the east of Polar Park, Worcester lies firmly in Red Sox Nation. The fans here are as knowledgeable and dedicated as any in the nation.
The WooSox have finished among the leaders in all of the minor leagues in attendance in each of their four seasons in Worcester. The team has sold over 500,000 tickets in each of the past three seasons. They are the only team in the minor leagues to have accomplished this feat.
Access 3
Located in Worcester’s up and coming Canal District, Polar Park is just a few blocks from Interstate 290 and less than a mile from Worcester’s Union Station. But somehow, it’s not as easy to get to as you might think. Traffic in the area can be busy, and the notorious Kelly Square does not help matters. For those not familiar, Kelly Square is an intersection near the ballpark where several of Worcester’s busiest streets come together in the most random way possible. As part of the construction of Polar Park the intersection was redesigned, improving flow, but it is still a bottleneck point when a big crowd meets rush hour traffic.
Polar Park is wedged into a small footprint, making for some unique design choices, and space is at a premium. There is a small entry plaza leading to front entrance that screams “warehouse” more than “ballpark.” While this design choice makes Polar Park stand out from the red brick and green seat new “cookie cutter” design, it has met with some derision by fans.
A major negative with the design of Polar Park is the small footprint. Due to the lack of space, the concourse is very narrow and is tough to navigate when a big crowd is present. When navigating the park, fans will encounter many areas where you actually have to leave the park, climb stairs or enter areas that are not paved. There are some, let’s call them unique, design choices here.
Beyond the seating bowl, fans will find several group areas where fans can congregate and spread out a bit. Polar Park boasts a great deal of standing room and alternate spots from which to catch the action.
Return on Investment 2
Much has been made of the expense of WooSox tickets, and yes, we’re not in Pawtucket anymore. Premium seats are priced at $61, but on the plus side, the vast majority of seats are available for less than $30. Box seats behind home plate are priced at $40, with the cheapest seats in the seating bowl sold for $25. The cheapest seats in the ballpark, general admission spots on the berm, now go for $16 apiece. Check the WooSox website for complete seating options.
Parking is another area where Polar Park has received criticism. While the club boasts of 7,300 parking spots within a half mile of Polar Park, most of them hardly seem convenient. These lots charge between $15-$30 to park and require a walk through often poorly-lit roads through less than stellar neighborhoods. A small parking garage is located right across the street from the ballpark on Madison Street, which charges $23 for a spot. Complete parking information can be found here. There is little on-street parking in the area.
Concession prices are higher than other venues in the area. While not as expensive as a trip to Fenway Park, be ready to spend a few dollars when you head to Polar Park.
Extras 5
There are so many special features in the design of Polar Park it would be tempting to give more than the maximum score in this category. From the inclusion of Worcester native Harvey Ball’s Smiley Face to the artwork produced by local artists and the inclusion of local vendors into the concession menu, this ballpark screams Worcester in every nook and cranny. Even the light towers are shaped like hearts, a nod to Worcester’s nickname as “the heart of the Commonwealth.”
The entry tower contains a memorial to the Worcester Six, a group of firefighters that perished fighting a warehouse fire not far from the ballpark site. Uniform number 6 has been retired by the team in honor of these firefighters. Also notable as you enter the ballpark is a display of Ted Williams-themed artwork and the Pawtucket Red Sox Hall of Fame. It’s the only recognition of the franchise’s 50 years in Rhode Island.
The many unique vantagepoints from which to watch the game earn another extra point. The numerous social gathering spots, such as the Worcester Wall and The Bridge maximize capacity in this bandbox of a ballpark.
Not content to sit on their laurels, the WooSox continue to add new features to Polar Park every year. Recent additions include the WooSox reward app, which allows fans to earn points at games and participating businesses to redeem for WooSox merchandise and experiences, and virtual reality games inside Polar Park.
Final Thoughts
Polar Park has proven to be a very divisive ballpark over its brief history. From the relocation of the iconic PawSox to the price tag for the new facility to the unique look and design of the ballpark, Polar Park seems to have created as many critics as fans. But a closer look at the ballpark shows an incredible attention to detail and connection to community. Like the park’s signature beverages, it may not be to everyone’s taste, but there’s no denying the positive impact this blue bandbox has had on the Worcester community.
Comments