Preparations underway, excitement building for Red Sox Winter Weekend in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - We are just hours away from Red Sox Winter Weekend and with some baseball legends in attendance, the event is expected to bring lots of fun, excitement, and business to downtown Springfield.

The Sox are coming to town. MGM Springfield spokesperson Beth Ward told Western Mass News that excitement is brewing as thousands of fans are expected to come to both the casino and the MassMutual Center for the third annual event.

“It is all hands on deck at MGM Springfield and the MassMutual Center,” Ward said. “We’re expecting a huge crowd and we couldn’t be more excited.”

Since its inception in 2020, the two-day event has brought smiles and joy to baseball fans young and old. Among those attending this year’s festivities are current players like Trevor Story, Nick Pivetta, Pablo Reyes, and Rob Refsnyder, as well as alumni like Wade Boggs, Carlton Fisk, Pedro Martinez and “Big Papi” David Ortiz. Ward said there will be plenty of things to do at MGM as fans will slide their way into a weekend of enjoyment.

“We are having autograph sessions up in our ballrooms. I know there’s going to be long lines for that, but the atmosphere is so much fun that people really don’t mind because you’re standing with fans and getting ready to meet some of the players that you’ve watched for forever or some of the new ones that are on the team as well,” Ward explained.

Aside from gazing at the legendary bullpen cart, fans will be able to do all kinds of baseball-related activities at the MassMutual Center.

“They have the chance to play some wiffle ball, do some batting cages, some steal the base challenges,” said MassMutual Center spokesperson Rina O’Donnell.

At the venue’s exhibit hall, fans will have the opportunity to interact with panels, as well as watch a Friday night event formatted like a late-night talk show hosted by former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. Members of the 2004 championship team will also be on-hand, who will talk about the late Tim Wakefield and the impact he had on both the Red Sox and the community. Overall, O’Donnell expects a big business boom in much of the downtown area.

“Restaurants will be busy. Our casino property across the street will be busy. It will just be a great experience for everyone, especially those who can get up close and personal with their favorite players,” O’Donnell noted.

Fans in attendance will also have the opportunity to get exclusive access to tickets for games during the summer before they go on sale for the general public.

The event begins at 6 p.m. Friday at the MassMutual Center and there are tickets still available. You can CLICK HERE for more information.