WORCESTER—Excitement surrounding the eleventh season of the Worcester Bravehearts reached a fever pitch on Thursday night at Nuovo on Shrewsbury Street during a kickoff celebration that drew a crowd of about 100 invited guests.
Team President Matt Vaccaro, whose family recently purchased the Bravehearts, and General Manager Dave “Peterman” Peterson offered remarks as a highlight of the evening.
“We had a short window to pull this together,” Vaccaro said. “My dad (Frank Vaccaro) couldn’t be here but this is an +opportunity and we wanted to jump on it right away. Shrewsbury (the Vaccaros’ baseball home) is next door. Our vision and dream is to build on the successes of the Creedons. All you will find from us is humble owners.”
“My brother spearheaded our investment in the Bravehearts,” Frank Vaccaro Jr. said, as he waited for the program to begin.
Matt said a newly struck collaboration with the Worcester Red Sox is already beginning to come together. “The Bravehearts team will be introduced at Polar Park on May 24,” he said, adding that May 25 is opening night for the Bravehearts at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field. “That is also my wedding anniversary,” quipped Matt with a smile that implied he wasn’t sure his wife would be interested in marking the occasion at a baseball game.
Peterson spent the early part of the night revving up enthusiasm for the new campaign. Before introducing Matt, with team mascot Jake the Lion standing beside him, he identified and thanked all members of the Bravehearts’ organization for their contributions. He also introduced host families and thanked season ticket holders.
“Sixteen people in this group have gotten Bravehearts tattoos,” Peterson said. “That is a fan!”
Peterson also acknowledged Kevin Hunt, who came up with the name Bravehearts in December 2013.
“Kevin was provided with free season tickets for life” and those will continue to be honored, Peterson said.
Among those present were several representatives from Anna Maria College in Paxton, including Mike Morgan, who said, “I am glad to see the Bravehearts tied in with the Worcester Red Sox.”
Morgan said that under the direction of Dr. Larry Sasso, who runs Anna Maria’s business/sports management program, the school has forged a tight working relationship with Peterson and the Bravehearts, especially regarding the annual Sports Management Summit. The Bravehearts and Anna Maria are keen on that event returning after a brief hiatus.
Carter Bemis, the Bravehearts’ just-hired director of operations, is looking forward to rolling out a whole new concessions component, including a “Bravehearts mint ice cream from Gibby’s” and “we are partnering with local breweries for a Bravehearts lager.”
While it remains to be seen how the Bravehearts’ “all-you-can-eat” ticket pricing at $20 per person will work, the menu sounds appetizing: hamburgers, cheeseburger, hot dogs, veggie dogs, Italian sausage, chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, chips, soft drinks, water and Table Talk pies.
Joseph Mongeau will be operating a food truck on the premises.
Group outings are available.
Rod Lee is a career journalist, a veteran of the media scene in Central Massachusetts and the author of seven books including the recently published “Gil Cristopher,” a novel about the difficulties associated with aging. He can be contacted at rodlee1963@gmail.com
