Worcester Tornadoes

The Worcester Tornadoes are a professional baseball team based in Worcester, Massachusetts, in the United States. The Tornadoes are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since their inception in 2005, the Tornadoes have played their home games at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field, on the College of the Holy Cross campus.

The Tornadoes were formerly owned by Perfect Game LLC. On October 5, 2009, the majority stake of the franchise was sold to an undisclosed group of Maryland-based investors, which was later revealed to be Todd Breighner and Daniel DiGiacomo of Streamlined Sports, Inc. ^{[2] [3]} The directors of the ownership group include Charles Milanz and John Grammer. Jorg Bassiacos is executive vice president and general manager. The Tornadoes were managed by Rich Gedman, a former Major League catcher with the Boston Red Sox until the end of the 2010 season.

The Worcester Tornadoes are named after the destructive tornado that hit Worcester on June 9, 1953.

The Tornadoes, in their first season, won the Can-Am League Championship, sweeping the Quebec Capitales three games to zero. After beating Quebec in the first two games at Stade Municipal, the Tornadoes clinched the championship on their home field on September 15, 2005.

Logos and uniforms

The official colors of the Worcester Tornadoes are black, burnt orange, and beige. The primary logo consists of a stylized, white baseball with burnt orange threads centered inside of a black ring outlined in burnt orange and black. The words "Worcester Tornadoes" are arched inside of the ring in beige in scripted, capital letters. An orange and black tornado wraps around a baseball bat in the middle of the logo, with a white "W" superimposed over the center, with black outline.

The Tornadoes uniforms incorporate traditional baseball design. The primary cap is black with a burnt orange brim with the cap logo depicting a white "W" and a burnt orange tornado centered on the front. The home uniform is white with black pinstripes and burnt orange piping. The jersey features the "Tornadoes" wordmark centered across the front in black with a burnt orange outline. The players' number is centered below and to the left of the wordmark in orange with black outline. The away jersey is grey with orange piping, with the "Worcester" wordmark arched across the front of the jersey in black with burnt orange outline.

Playoffs

During the 2007 season, the Tornadoes competed for the Commonwealth Cup with the Can-Am League's two other Massachusetts based teams, the North Shore Spirit and the Brockton Rox. The Tornadoes finished in second (by three and a half games) behind the North Shore Spirit.

Current roster

Quick facts

Current uniform colors: White with orange piping and pinstripes for home games and grey for away games. Home with the word "Tornadoes" across the front and number on the back. Black hats with an orange brim and button and the letter "W" in script.

Current logo design: A tornado swirling around a baseball bat with a "W" superimposed over the twister centered over a white baseball with orange threads. The tornado and baseball design is centered inside of a black ring outlined in orange with the team's name arched around in beige, scripted letters.

Current mascot: Twister (2005-present).

Current Broadcasters: Radio: Nick Gagalis

Current Radio Stations: Ustream

External links

• Worcester Tornadoes
• Professional Baseball Returns to City of Worcester - City press release
• satellite view of the stadium

References

1. ^ "Worcester Inks Minor League Veteran Ed Riley". http://www.worcestertornadoes.com/tornadoes/news/?article_id=838. 
2. ^ http://www.telegram.com/article/20100509/NEWS/5090635
3. ^ "Tornadoes Sold" - Shaun Sutner,Telegram and Gazette. http://telegram.com/article/20091005/NEWS/910059966/1116