WooSox spotlight Brazilian culture at 8th and final Wepas game of 2023 season
WORCESTER, MA – Marking the final series of the season at Polar Park, the Worcester Red Sox thanked the true MVP of the year, the fans. "Super Duper Fan Appreciation Week" included gifts, surprises, activities, and of course, the last great Latin American celebration in Polar Park. For the 8th
WORCESTER, MA – Marking the final series of the season at Polar Park, the Worcester Red Sox thanked the true MVP of the year, the fans. "Super Duper Fan Appreciation Week" included gifts, surprises, activities, and of course, the last great Latin American celebration in Polar Park.
For the 8th and final Wepas game of WooSox '23, presented by La Mega Radio, the WooSox spotlighted the culture of Brazil. The Copa de la Diversión is a Minor League Baseball initiative that promotes the sport and connects teams with Hispanic/Latino communities. For these games, teams adopt a culturally-relevant identity and personality.
Wepas games always have a culinary specialty from the countries honored. On this occasion, Salgabom Snacks, a Brazilian food restaurant based in Worcester, offered the traditional "salgadinhos," fried dough balls filled with cheese and corn.
To begin the afternoon, DJ Jensky from La Mega Radio welcomed fans in the DCU Plaza at Gate D just like every other Wepas game of the season. As tradition, an artistic show began the pregame ceremonies--a capoeira exhibition by Mass Capoeira Culture Center. Capoeira is a martial art from Brazil that combines dance, music, and acrobatics.
Gabriel Albuquerque sang the Brazilian National Anthem and Natalia Hubner performed her version of the Star-Spangled Banner. Raquel Santos and Isaque Candido Andrade waved the flags of the countries.
The other personalities honored at the pregame ceremony were the WPI Brazilian Student Association, the Clark University Latin American Student Organization, and Suely DiBara representing the Worcester Brazilian Festival.
Polar Beverages' "Heart of Worcester" honor, the recognition that honors individuals and organizations that work with the community and are active agents of change, went to the Latino Education Institute of Worcester State University. The organization's mission is to improve the academic performance and well-being of Latino students grades K-16 and their families in the City of Worcester.
The institute was created in response to a call to action from the Worcester Latino Student Work Coalition. The coalition--a grassroots group representing community and elected leaders, concerned parents, and educators--outlined strategies to improve educational outcomes for Latino students.
Cecilia Brito Ferreira ended ceremonies with the shout of "Play Ball!" followed by the first pitch that started the game. Unfortunately, Los Wepas couldn’t get the win against the Syracuse Mets, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, falling 7-2.
Jordan Sealy-Ashford, the WooSox' marketing coordinator, oversees organizing and making the theme nights of the different Latin American cultures a reality. For Sealy-Ashford, the planning of these games represents a series of responsibilities full of satisfaction.
"It is an honor to be entrusted with the role of coordinating a full season of Wepas games," he said. "Since 2021 during my early days as an intern, I have been involved in the planning and execution of Wepas programming. Most of my assignments at the time were focused on marketing, as I took on projects such as researching best practices at Minor League Baseball on the Copa de la Diversion initiative, creating the Wepas homepage on the official WooSox website, and creating bilingual brochures to help penetrate the Spanish-speaking market."
One of the best rewards for Sealy-Ashford to be at the helm of this project is the relationships he has been able to forge throughout the season.
"Throughout this year's Wepas games, the broad smiles, warm hugs and moments of pride are constant reminders that Polar Park has become an inclusive environment that promotes diversity and celebrates culture," Sealy-Ashford continued. "I grew up playing baseball with teammates and opponents from different life stories. So having the opportunity to make a positive impact by fostering this kind of relationship with the community is an invaluable experience."
In addition to the creation of the Wepas Committee formed by members of the Massachusetts Latino community, the WooSox are building up the potential to bring the message of the Wepas to more ears.
"The Wepas games have attracted many different participants and honorees through the gates of Polar Park!" Sealy-Ashford said. "When I see the familiar faces of Wepas Advisory Committee members, there is always a smile on both sides."
According to Sealy-Ashford, this relationship transitioned into a beautiful friendship that transcends the boundaries of the ballpark.
"I have met many of the members by my first name and we can talk about many things from baseball to recent events in the Latino community and their most recent recommendations on the best places to eat in the area," he said. "As the Advisory Committee helps us reach out more deeply to Worcester's Latino population, I am confident that we will be able to continue to develop strong bonds with more members of the Latino community!"
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.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring