Worcester Business Journal

10 Worcester Business Journal | March 18, 2024 | wbjournal.com FOCUS G O L F, M E E T I N G S , A N D T O U R I S M G U I D E Out of the box Aer buying the Worcester Bravehearts, the Vaccaro family is looking to run the baseball team differently, including a partnership with the WooSox BY SLOANE M. PERRON Special to WBJ M atthew Vaccaro is a founding member and president of his family's Worcester-based com- pany, Masis Staffing Solutions. e Vaccaro family has always shared a lifelong passion for baseball, which includes decades of coaching experience for the Shrewsbury Ameri- can Legion Post 397 baseball team. In February, the Vaccaro family made the decision to purchase the collegiate futures baseball team the Worcester Bravehearts from its original owners, the Creedon family. As now president of the Brave- hearts, Vaccaro is excited to bring the Bravehearts' legacy into a whole new era of local entertainment. In 2021, the professional minor league team formerly known as Pawtucket Red Sox moved into Worcester becoming the WooSox. Previously seen as rivals, the Worcester Bravehearts following the sale to the Vaccaros joined in a community partnership with the pro team as part of the Vaccaro family's business model focused on collaboration and community. How do you like being the Bravehearts president? It's really exciting. I am proud to own a team close to my hometown in Shrewsbury. But more importantly, it's nice to be able to give back to the com- munity, to really focus on the fans, es- pecially the young people and the youth sports in the city. We want to try and put a smile on peoples' faces when they come to the ballpark and enjoy a couple hours of baseball. at is rewarding. What inspired your family to purchase the baseball team from the Creedon family? A couple months ago, the Creedon family, the original owners, received a contract for their core catering compa- ny, Creedon and Co. When we spoke, they said there was mutual interest in selling the brand parts of the team. We've coached Shrewsbury American Legion Baseball for the past 20 years, and three of those years we've gone to the American Legion World Series. We love baseball. So, an opportunity to own a sports franchise in the city was something we wanted to jump on if the opportunity presented itself. Sometimes timing is just right, and for us it was. What are your plans for your first season? We're going to do a different business model than you've seen in the past. We're going to do an-all-you-can eat ticket for every fan coming to the sta- dium. It's $20 for all you can eat, which includes hot dogs, hamburgers, sau- sages, chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, among other items, to really give the full value for your ticket. It's going to be exciting. ere will be a discount for seniors and veterans, which will be announced at a later date. e goal is to offer everyone an all-inclusive ticket which includes parking, the game, and the concessions. ere's nothing like this offered around New England. What does the WooSox community partnership entail? Together our two teams will impact Matthew Vaccaro President Worcester Bravehearts Birthplace: Staten Island, New York Residence: Shrewsbury Education: Shrewsbury High School, Framingham State University Favorite baseball teams: Worcester Bravehearts and Shrewsbury American Legion Post 397 Favorite Central Mass. tourist attraction: The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts Worcester Red Sox and Bravehearts officials gathered Feb. 29 in the visitor's clubhouse in Polar Park to announce joint community partnership initiatives. PHOTO | ERIC CASEY

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