Woofster's Wonderdogs: A Season-Long Celebration of Service, Therapy, and Rescue Dogs at Polar Park
Throughout the Worcester Red Sox 2023 season, the Woofster’s Wonderdogs program recognized service and therapy dogs as well as local canine rescue organizations on “Woof Woof Wednesday” nights and Fallon Health Sunday Fundays to help pups find their forever homes. The initiative, aimed at celebrating the impact of service dogs
Throughout the Worcester Red Sox 2023 season, the Woofster’s Wonderdogs program recognized service and therapy dogs as well as local canine rescue organizations on “Woof Woof Wednesday” nights and Fallon Health Sunday Fundays to help pups find their forever homes. The initiative, aimed at celebrating the impact of service dogs and promoting canine adoptions, featured a great lineup of organizations and individuals united in their love for our four-legged friends.
The WooSox kicked off the season on Opening Day in March when we recognized Boomer, a 2-year-old sable shepherd who has been a member of the Worcester Police Department for over two years and worked over 50 games at Polar Park in 2022. He is a K-9 Patrol Dog who is highly trained in explosive detection and is ATF Certified. Boomer was accompanied by Worcester Police Sgt. Tim Watts, who has been with WPD for 29 years and is a former Marine Core 1st Sgt. from Worcester who served in Iraq in 2005.
In April, we recognized the Baypath Humane Society out of Hopkinton, Massachusetts to highlight the work they are doing to provide shelter and later loving homes for stray or unwanted animals.
We also recognized the Northeast Region Executive Director of Canine Companions Debra Dougherty and volunteer Kate O'Connor, who shed light on the amazing work of their organization. Canine Companions, the largest non-profit provider of service dogs, enhances independence for adults, children, and veterans with disabilities with expertly trained service dogs. This season we welcomed several service dogs from Canine Companions including Brewer, a 6-month-old lab-golden retriever cross and future service dog. Ben Gromyko and 3-year-old Jennings also came to Polar Park this season to show how Jennings helps Ben navigate the world with social support and companionship. Judi Pasino and her service dog Rosie, who alerts Judi to sounds she may not be able to hear, like alarms, doorbells, and phones ringing, were also recognized this season.
The Hotel for Homeless Dogs took center stage on May 7, with Founder and Executive Director Susan Joseph, sharing the mission of providing a haven for dogs in need.
This season we also highlighted the therapy dogs of Animal Assisted Therapy Services. Our first AaTs feature was on May 17 when we welcomed therapy dog Barney and owner Stacey LeBlanc. As the season continued, AaTs returned to Polar Park, with therapy dog Moose and owner Hannah Furno who works with the Medway Police Department. We also welcomed Kim Fontaine, President and Owner of AaTs, and her dog Tomo to highlight the therapeutic benefits that dogs bring to various settings. Finally, in August we welcomed Samantha Smith and her therapy dog, Copper, who works with students at Burncoat Middle School to help with anxiety, stress, and academic hardships.
Throughout the summer, the program continued to bring joy to Polar Park with representatives from organizations such as Animal Rescue Rhode Island, New England First Responder Therapy Dogs, and Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England, Inc. Each pregame ceremony highlighted the unique contributions these organizations make to the well-being of dogs and the community.
In July we also welcomed Gustav, a 2-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who works as a Psychiatric Service Dog for his handler, Kel right here in Worcester. Gustav has been with Kel for nearly two years and has improved her quality of life, allowing her to live with more confidence and opening her up to opportunities that she would have previously avoided due to her disabilities.
The Woofster’s Wonderdogs program was inspired by Smiley Ball’s visit to the Worcester Animal Rescue League in 2021, when he adopted Woofster on National Dog Day, August 26. To celebrate the anniversary of Woofster’s adoption, we recognized Worcester Animal Rescue League and its executive director, Kristin Mullins.
The program also featured organizations like Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog, and America's Vet Dogs, each contributing a unique perspective on the various roles dogs play in our lives.
The Woofster's Wonderdogs program not only celebrated the work of service dogs but also created a platform for local rescue organizations to connect with the community. The initiative, driven by a shared love for dogs, brought fans, families, and their furry companions together at Polar Park, making it a season to remember. As the ballpark echoed with barks and cheers, the Woofster's Wonderdogs program proved that the bond between humans and their canine companions is a source of joy and inspiration for everyone in the community.
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”