Ballpark at Fitton Field - Worcester Bravehearts
- Paul Baker
- Jul 26
- 6 min read
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57
Ballpark at Fitton Field 1 College Street Worcester, MA 01604
Year Opened: 1905 Capacity: 3,000
Fitts Just Right
Baseball has been played at the site of Fitton Field in Worcester (pronounced “Woo-stah” by locals) since 1905. The ballpark is named in honor of the Reverend James Fitton, who donated the land on which the baseball and adjacent football stadium is located.
The Bravehearts, whose name is taken from the heart on the city seal and Worcester’s nickname as “the heart of the Commonwealth,” joined the Futures Collegiate Baseball League in 2014. The team instantly became one of the more successful teams in the circuit, winning championships in 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019.
In addition to the Bravehearts, the Holy Cross Crusaders baseball team plays here. Fitton Field has also hosted professional baseball in the past, as the Can-Am League’s Worcester Tornadoes spent eight seasons in the Heart of the Commonwealth before folding in 2012. During their time at Fitton Field, the Tornadoes installed lighting and permanent seating, bringing the venue up to professional standards.
Despite the success experienced by the Bravehearts, there was real concern about the viability of the team once the city of Worcester committed to build Polar Park and move the Red Sox’ AAA team to town. Despite the presence of the top Red Sox farm team just two miles away from Fitton Field, Worcester continues to be one of the better draws in the Futures League.
Food and Beverage 5
For a small ballpark like Fitton Field, there is a really good variety of food items available at a Bravehearts game. Concessions are sold out of a stand on the first base side of the ballpark near the entrance.
All your ballpark staples can be found here, including hot dogs and burgers, BBQ chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers, and sausage and pepper sandwiches. A variety of snacks are sold at the stand here as well.
On weekend games the menu expands with the addition of pulled pork mac and cheese and steak and cheese subs. A rotating series of food trucks also pulls up to the Fitton Field concourse, featuring anything from pizza to ice cream. The team also runs a pop-up ice cream tent featuring flavors from local favorite Gibby’s Ice Cream.
Pepsi products are featured at Fitton Field, in both bottles and fountain varieties. A good selection of adult beverages are also sold at Braveheart games. In addition to some national brands, local craft brews from Wormtown brewery are sold. If it’s especially hot during your visit, you can opt for a frozen beverage!
Atmosphere 4
While most summer leagues in New England tend to put on a minimal show and let the game itself be the focus, teams in the Futures League tend to present the game in a fashion similar to their minor league counterparts. The Bravehearts are no exception, with lots of distractions presented throughout the game geared towards the younger fans in attendance.
The Bravehearts employ a cheerleading squad, who serve as the central focus of the gameday experience, performing routines throughout the game and participating in promos. Speaking of promos, the team holds many through the game, and in a twist, the players themselves participate in some of them. It’s fun to see the players competing in wheelbarrow races or hot-dog eating contests. You’ll be sure to see Jake the Lion roaming the stands interacting with fans and doing his thing during promos.
Fitton Field features a good sound system, and it is put to good use with music throughout the game and a PA announcer with a professional delivery. At one point every game, all the kids in the stands get a chance to run across the outfield. After each Bravehearts run, the entire stadium, players included, clap their hands to the team’s victory song.
Neighborhood 3
Worcester is the second largest city in all of New England, but has never enjoyed much of a reputation as a destination location. That all began to change when the city announced that the Pawtucket Red Sox would be moving to the brand-new Polar Park, located just 2.5 miles from the Holy Cross campus.
The Holy Cross campus is located in southwestern Worcester about three miles from downtown. There isn’t much in the immediate area of campus in terms of dining or lodging options, but the city of Worcester contains many excellent options.
Worcester’s acclaimed “Restaurant Row” on Shrewsbury Street is home to over forty different eateries, shops and salons. It’s a favorite destination for locals looking to enjoy a night on the town. Fans will find additional options in the downtown area around the DCU Center. The up-and-coming Canal District, anchored by Polar Park, is rapidly growing and worth a look. Likewise, fans looking for lodging options should head downtown, as there is nothing close to Fitton Field.
Traditionally overshadowed by its neighbors in Boston and Providence, Worcester is carving out its own niche as an affordable, attractive alternative to those cities.
Fans 3
There was a great deal of consternation around the Bravehearts when the Worcester Red Sox announced they were moving to town. After all, the Bravehearts were annually among the national leaders in attendance for all summer collegiate teams, averaging over 2,000 fans per game. The team energized the baseball community and had a dedicated fan base, but would the mom-and-pop Bravehearts be able to compete with the juggernaut Red Sox organization?
2026 marks the sixth year that the WooSox have played their home games just two miles away from Fitton Field. Since their arrival, attendance at Bravehearts games has declined, but has not bottomed out as feared. The team’s listed attendance is over 1,100 fans per game in 2026, placing Worcester near the bottom of the seven-team Futures League. This writer has visited all of the Futures League ballparks regularly, and the attendance seen in Worcester is as strong or stronger than most of the teams in the circuit.
By positioning themselves as a more affordable, family-friendly alternative to the big-money WooSox, the Bravehearts continue to attract both die-hard fans and families to Fitton Field.
Access 4
The Holy Cross campus is located in southwest Worcester, near the junction of Interstate 290 and Route 146. Fitton Field is located on the northern edge of the Holy Cross campus, at the foot of Mount St. James. Driving is the primary method for getting to the Holy Cross campus. The Worcester Regional Transportation Authority’s 29 and 42 buses stop near Fitton Baseball Field on Southbridge Street. There is free parking in a garage adjacent to the ballpark.
Fans will enter the ballpark on the first base side of the field, at the top of the seating bowl. Concessions and merchandise stands flank the sides of the entrance, and a building housing the bathrooms is located on the third base side.
The majority of the seating at Fitton Field is made up of individual seats. There are a few sections of metal bleachers with backs down either foul line. Handicapped seating is plentiful around the top of the seating bowl. Even with all the tents and stands set up all over the concourse, fans will have no problem navigating around Fitton Field.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets for Worcester Bravehearts games are priced at ten dollars for general admission seats. Tickets for children under 12 are discounted by one dollar. Members of the Kids Club are admitted for free on Sundays.
Parking is free in both the garage next door to the ballpark, as well as on the streets near the campus. Add in affordable prices for food and beer, and a night at the Worcester Bravehearts will certainly not break the bank.
Extras 2
The connection between the team and community is strong, as several longtime fans who have passed away are memorialized on the wall behind the press box.
Bravehearts alumni who have been drafted by Major League Baseball teams are commemorated with posters on the back of the press box and facilities buildings.
Ted Williams hit his first home run as a member of the Red Sox at Fitton Field during an exhibition game.
Final Thoughts
When the Worcester Red Sox moved into the city and built their $159 million ballpark a mere two miles from Fitton Field, everyone wondered what would become of the Bravehearts. Central Massachusetts baseball fans need not worry. The Bravehearts are alive and well and continue to thrive in the Heart of the Commonwealth.
