WORCESTER— It’s recommended for any sports fan interested getting in on the “behind the scenes” activities. The Red Sox spring training equipment truck is making its annual stop at Polar Park on Monday, Feb. 2, giving local fans a glimpse of the gear that soon heads south to Fort Myers, Florida.
“The Central MASScots”––Smiley Ball, Woofster the WonderDog, Roberto the Rocket and Clara the Heart of the Commonwealth––joins fans at approximately 1 p.m. to welcome and send off the 53-foot truck, which is loaded with 20,400 baseballs, 1,100 bats, 200 pairs of batting gloves and helmets, 320 batting practice tops, 160 game jerseys, 300 pairs of pants, 400 shirts, 400 pairs of socks, 20 cases of bubblegum, and 60 cases of sunflower seeds.
The truck departs from Fenway Park early Monday morning and travels the 1,480-mile journey to JetBlue Park, making a brief detour along the Mass Pike to Worcester.
“Our recent winter weather has us longing for bats and balls and grass and dirt, and the imagery of warm breezes rather than New England freezes,” said WooSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “While many fortunate fans will be flying JetBlue nonstop from Worcester to Fort Myers to see the Red Sox practice in person at JetBlue Park at Fenway South, many of us will find comfort in the photos and vivid videos that promise us that spring is on the way.”
This year, Truck Day coincides with Groundhog Day, and students from Worcester Technical High School’s hospitality management program will join WooSox staff to “see their shadows” and help create packages of gifts for the truck’s driver. The event highlights the educational pathways that can lead to careers in professional baseball.
The Red Sox will hold their first Spring Training workout in Fort Myers on Tuesday, February 10, with full-squad practice beginning Sunday, February 15. Four Red Sox prospects were recently featured on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, including pitchers Payton Tolle (No. 19) and Connelly Early (No. 56), shortstop Franklin Arias (No. 31), and pitcher Kyson Witherspoon (No. 84).
WooSox Opening Day at Polar Park is scheduled for Friday, March 27, at 4:05 p.m. against the Syracuse Mets. Tickets are available online at woosox.com, at the Polar Park Ticket Office, or by calling 508-500-8888.
