From Press Release

Worcester’s new Futures League baseball team has hit its first home run and posted its first win, with the announcement that the team will be named the “Worcester Bravehearts” and that The Hanover Insurance Group has signed on as the team’s key presenting sponsor.
 
Bravehearts owner John W.S. Creedon, Jr., said the team name was selected as a finalist along with four others from over 1,000 name ideas submitted by the public.  Finalists were chosen based on each name’s uniqueness and significance to Worcester.  Of the five finalists, the “Bravehearts” name was then voted for overwhelmingly by the public with a two-to-one margin in the naming contest.  The name “Bravehearts” was submitted by Kevin Hunt of Charlton.  Hunt will win season tickets for life, an authentic team jersey and cap, and will throw out the first pitch at the team’s home opener on June 5, 2014.  

Creedon explained that the team name has two meaningful components.  First, the “Brave” component is a tribute to Worcester’s brave men and women in uniform serving locally and abroad.  More particularly, the word “Brave” is also an homage to Worcester’s recent fallen firefighters who epitomized bravery including Jon Davies who perished on December 8, 2011, as well as the six who perished in the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse fire on December 3, 1999 (Paul Brotherton, Timothy Jackson, Jeremiah Lucey, Jay Lyons, Joseph McGuirk, and Thomas Spencer).  Tuesday marks the fourteenth anniversary of the Cold Storage Warehouse firefighters’ bravery, and Sunday marks the second anniversary of Jon Davies’ bravery.  Second, the “hearts” component is a reference to Worcester’s nickname as the “Heart of the Commonwealth.”

“We are humbled to name the team in honor of all those in Worcester who presently answer the call of duty to protect and serve, and especially as a tribute to Worcester’s fallen firefighters who demonstrated legendary bravery,” said Creedon. “The courage of these heroic people – past and present – defines and galvanizes our city.  We will wear the name with pride and respect.” 

Bravehearts General Manager, Dave Peterson, explained that, “The team’s logo captures the essence of the Bravehearts name through the shield and the heart.  The logo is heavily inspired by the colors and symbols of the Worcester flag including the red heart and green laurels on a white seal against a green field.”  Peterson went on to explain, “The top of the shield also features a blue collar in reference to Worcester’s proud blue collar heritage and economy driven by the remarkable work ethic of the city’s citizens.”    

“The classic ‘W’ on the ballcap is intended to represent the team, but also to symbolize the city of Worcester more broadly, similar to iconic MLB ballcaps displaying, for example, the ‘A’ for Atlanta, the ‘B’ for Boston, the ‘C’ for Chicago, and the ‘D’ for Detroit,” said Peterson.      

The Hanover signs on as sponsor

As the team’s key presenting sponsor, The Hanover entered into an agreement with the team which includes naming rights to the Bravehearts’ home field on the campus of the College of the Holy Cross. The field, which is considered to be one of the premier ballparks in New England, will be known as Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field. The pact also includes premium seating for Hanover guests, 100 “Hanover Hot Seats” which will be donated each game to local non-profits designated by The Hanover and the team, hospitality and marketing privileges, and promotion through the team’s sales and marketing efforts. Financial terms of the arrangement were not disclosed.

“We are positively thrilled to have The Hanover on our team,” said Creedon. “The Hanover is so engrained and involved in our community. The company’s support and commitment will bolster our team from the very first pitch, helping us to deliver the thrill and excitement of Futures League baseball to fans and families from throughout Central Massachusetts.”

“We’re very happy to help bring baseball back to Worcester,” said Frederick H. Eppinger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Hanover Insurance Group. “The Futures League offers an exciting brand of baseball, showcasing the game’s best young talent and stars of tomorrow. The team is a great fit for our city, adding another dimension to the broad range of entertainment opportunities available to residents of Central Massachusetts and visitors to the city and the region.”

The Worcester Bravehearts play their first home game on Thursday, June 5, 2014, followed by three more consecutive home games June 6, 7 & 8.  Fans can now purchase season tickets and flex packs (vouchers good for any home game) from the team’s website: www.WorcesterBravehearts.com.  Single game tickets will go on sale in the spring.