At a press conference on the campus of the College of the Holy Cross overlooking Fitton Baseball Field, Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J., president of Holy Cross, and Michael V. O’Brien, Worcester’s city manager, announced a new partnership with the Futures Collegiate Baseball League of New England (FCBL) and local team owner John W.S. Creedon Jr.
Also attending today’s announcement were Timothy Murray, president of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce; Christopher Hall, Futures League Commissioner; city officials; and members of the Holy Cross community.
“This partnership will create a wonderful destination for enjoying baseball beginning next season,” said Fr. Boroughs. “It is another example of how we strive to be an integral part of the community of Worcester and become actively engaged — particularly with our nearest neighbors on College Hill and in South Worcester — in making our city an even better place to live, work, and raise families.
“We are very excited about the Future League’s plans for Fitton Field during the summer, and look forward to working with John, Chris and their teams to make this enterprise a great success.”
Fr. Boroughs and Creedon signed a memorandum of understanding during the press announcement. Details about the season, team name, schedules, and other matters are in the process of being finalized and opening day for the inaugural 2014 season is anticipated to be in early June.
About the Futures League
The Futures League provides student-athletes from New England and New England colleges the opportunity to compete with and play with the elite players from across the country and to promote them to major league organizations. Each roster must contain at least 13 players from New England or from a New England university or college.
Commenting on his involvement, Creedon said: “My family and I appreciate the deep and rich history of baseball in Worcester and at Fitton Field, in particular. We are humbled to be the stewards of the national pastime in our beloved city. Against that backdrop, we are really excited to bring baseball back to Worcester with a Futures League franchise. This club will provide affordable, family-friendly, fun entertainment in the context of top quality baseball games.”
The league, which was founded in 2011, plays a nine-week schedule (54 games, 27 home and 27 away) which runs from June through early August. The league provides a family friendly, affordable, and fun experience for the communities, in a minor league style setting.
“Baseball fans in Worcester will be thrilled with the professionalism, customer service and entertainment that the Futures League and the Creedon family will provide,” said Hall. “They’ll see some of the most talented young players in New England and across the country compete at Fitton Field in the years to come. This Worcester franchise will instantly become one of the top summer collegiate franchises in the country.”
Worcester will be the 10th city to field a Futures League team. Other cities include Brockton, Mass.; Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.; Nashua, N.H.; Lynn, Mass.; Old Orchard Beach, Maine; Pittsfield, Mass.; Portsmouth, N.H.; Torrington, Conn.; and Leominster, Mass.
“The Futures League is run as professionally as any minor league in the country,” said Creedon. “League players represent all-star caliber athletes from around New England and across the country. These players are hustling every play looking to impress the several major league scouts who regularly attend Futures League games looking to sign the next rising stars in baseball.”
Naming the baseball team
Creedon says that baseball in Worcester is about the community, and that is why he will launch a naming contest for the team. Have an idea that captures the pride and spirit of Worcester? Submit it to www.WorcesterBaseball.com by Oct. 25, 2013. Between Oct. 28 and Nov. 8, you can return online to vote for your favorite entry among the top five finalist names. The final winning team name will be announced, and the team logo and mascot will be unveiled on Dec. 2.
The grand prize winner will be awarded season tickets for life, along with a new team jersey, official game hat, and the honor of throwing out the first pitch at the opening game.
About John W.S. Creedon Jr.
Creedon is the vice president of Creedon and Co. Inc., a catering and tent rental company located in Worcester. He grew up in the family business and rejoined the company after almost five years as a practicing attorney with Fletcher, Tilton & Whipple, P.C. in Worcester. A graduate of George Washington University and University of Connecticut Law School, he also studied at the Institute Catholique in Paris, and Trinity College in Dublin. Outside his company, he is an executive board member of the Mohegan Council, Boy Scouts of America, a past president of the Worcester Young Businessmen’s Association (WYBA), and was recognized in 2008 by the Worcester Business Journal as one of Worcester’s Forty Under 40 young professionals.
Creedon’s late grandfather Chandler P. Creedon, formerly of Shrewsbury, was a member of the Holy Cross Class of 1950. Creedon lives with his wife, Shannon, and their two sons, John III and James, in Worcester.
Ongoing Holy Cross/City of Worcester collaborations
The partnership with the Futures League is the latest component of Holy Cross’ ongoing commitment to the City of Worcester. Other contributions include:
- A 5-year, $400,000 investment to support the Library Express, a state-of-the-art mobile library serving Worcester schools, neighborhoods, and community centers;
- $10,000 commitment to sponsor the Worcester Common Oval’s Lunch Time Skate;
- Operational and financial support to the Worcester Public Schools and the neighborhood revitalization efforts in South Worcester in partnership with the South Worcester Neighborhood Improvement Center and College Hill Neighborhood Association;
- $25,000 in annual support toward the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts;
- Financial and in-kind support for improvements to City-owned Cookson Field;
- Scholarships, credit courses and professional development, free of charge, to Worcester Public School students, staff and faculty;
- Sponsoring, with ongoing contributions from faculty, staff, students, and the Jesuit community, the operation of the Nativity School of Worcester, a tuition-free middle school for boys from the city’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.
Media Coverage
- Telegram & Gazette, Oct. 1: Futures Collegiate Baseball League ‘right fit’ for Worcester
- Telegram & Gazette, Oct. 1: Majoring in baseball
- Worcester Magazine, Sept. 30: Summer baseball will be played in Worcester in 2014
- Worcester Business Journal, Sept. 30: Futures League Bringing Baseball Back To Worcester
- NECN/Channel 3, Sept. 30: Baseball is coming back to Worcester, Mass.
- Our Central Sports, Sept. 30: Holy Cross Partners with City of Worcester and Futures League to Bring Baseball Back to Worcester
- The Republican, Sept. 30: New Worcester baseball team: City gets Futures Collegiate Baseball League franchise
Photography by Christian Santillo
