Lucchino optimistic about plans for PawSox and McCoy stadium

By Kirsten Glavin

kglavin@abc6.com

@kirstenglavin

LINCOLN, RI –

Pawtucket Red Sox chairman, Larry Lucchino, expressed great optimism about McCoy stadium Tuesday night, at a Twin River Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce dinner.

"We just want to show people that the baseball experience in 2016 for the Pawtucket Red Sox will be fun and affordable…  and a little different,” he told ABC6 in an interview.

The public optimism came despite numerous setbacks since his group bought the team.  Most notably the failed effort to relocate the park to Providence.

"I’m feeling optimistic, I’m feeling quite good,” Lucchino said. “I think there’s a good sense of optimism and a sense that we will have a quality team at the Red Sox level and the PawSox level."

Lucchino also explained a few plans to improve the experience at the park.  He plans on hosting 133 special events at the park, compared to about 45 last year. They include everything from fireworks to theme nights.

“I think we’re taking a fresh look at the entertainment element of the experience,” he said.

Lucchino also said he plans to attack lagging attendance with group ticket sales and bundle deals. As for stadium renovations, he hinted at the possibility of a joint study to reevaluate the cost.

"I hope people will see that we are a multidimensional baseball team that has a sense of corporate social responsibility,” Lucchino said.