Announcement on PawSox future slated for Friday in Worcester

By John Krinjak

Updated by News Staff

Email: jkrinjak@abc6.com

Twitter: @johnkrinjakABC6

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — Could the PawSox be on their way to Worcester? A "big announcement" is slated for Friday in Worcester about the team’s future.

At 2:00 p.m. Friday Worcester will reveal a proposal to bring the team to the city, according to multiple sources with knowledge of that proposal–including one within the team.

One source also says officials from the team will be present for the announcement. Those officials–notably absent from recent hearings at the State House in Providence–also never gave an official statement about Rhode Island’s final plan to build a new $83 million stadium in Pawtucket, which would have included $23 million from the state and 15 million from Pawtucket.

No specific details from Worcester have been revealed yet, but the proposed location for a stadium there is the Wyman-Gordon site in the city’s Canal District. 

Earlier this month, Minor League Baseball applied for the rights to the name WooSox. 

Fans we spoke to at Thursday night’s "Hot Wiener Game" say they’re hoping against hope the team stays put.

Late Thursday night, Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien’s office released a statement saying in part:

"City officials…have been in regular contact with PawSox leadership…as recently as last night and today, discussing the finer points of the financing and ballpark plans here in Rhode Island. At no time has there been any indication of a plan to move to Worcester or a suggestion of an announcement."

That statement went on to say Pawtucket officials are confident the ballpark at Slater Mill is the only home for the PawSox future. 

 A source familiar with the situation told ABC6 Friday morning that a tentative agreement has been reached among city officials, Worcester, and the PawSox to bring the team to Worcester. The source also confirmed the PawSox ownership intend to make the move to Worcester.

An official from the PawSox confirmed Friday that a letter was dropped off at Pawtucket City Hall for Mayor Grebien. No word on the contents of the letter.

Follow ABC6 as more information on the move comes to light Friday afternoon. 

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