Weekend of Festivities to be Held May 2-4 at Polar Park, 
Featuring National Poetry Contests for Youth and Adults

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2025
Contact:  Joshua Milne, Joshua Milne PR, josh@joshuamilnepr.com, 617-501-1620

WORCESTER, MA – February 12, 2025 – The National Baseball Poetry Festival, the first festival to unite sports and the fine arts, is set to return to Worcester for its third time from May 2-4, 2025. The Festival, a celebration of baseball-inspired poetry and literature, will feature live readings, performances, and a variety of engaging events at Polar Park, home of the Worcester Red Sox. In addition, the Festival is hosting two national poetry contests that are free to enter: one for youth in grades 4-12 and another for adults aged 18+. These contests offer an opportunity for poets of all ages to showcase their baseball-themed creativity.

“The National Baseball Poetry Festival is a first-of-its-kind celebration where the love of the game meets the power of the written and spoken word. Baseball has inspired some of the most iconic works of poetry and literature, and this Festival brings that tradition to life—uniting fans and poets alike,” said Steven Biondolillo, founder of the National Baseball Poetry Festival. “The festival offers everyone the opportunity to celebrate America’s pastime in a way that honors its artistic and literary legacy.”

The Festival will highlight the deep connection between baseball and the arts, recognizing the wide-reaching influence that the sport has had on the fine arts, including film, theater, music, literature, opera and, especially, poetry. Among the featured poets at this year’s Festival is D.C.-based Ethelbert Miller, widely regarded as the most prominent baseball poet in the country.

“To be invited to participate in the Festival is like going to Cooperstown,” said Miller. “I’m excited as a rookie in a spring training camp.”

As part of the lead-up to the Festival, its two national poetry contests are currently accepting submissions. The youth contest invites students in grades 4-12 to submit original poems with a baseball and/or softball theme. Winners will have the opportunity to perform their work at the Festival on May 3, 2025, and receive a certificate and a National Baseball Poetry Festival T-shirt. Up to 60 youth poets will be recognized across three categories: elementary, middle school, and high school.

The adult contest is open to poets aged 18+, with 20 winners also receiving recognition at the Festival and an opportunity to present their work. Poems will be evaluated based on creativity, originality, and style by a panel of judges that includes educators, university students, and community members.

Designed as a culmination to National Poetry Month, the Festival serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of poetry and the fine arts, particularly at a time when the Humanities are increasingly under threat. The event aims to inspire new generations to engage with literature, history, and storytelling through the lens of baseball.

The Festival will also take time to pay homage to Worcester’s rich baseball history. The city, which has been undergoing a cultural and economic renaissance, boasts a strong baseball heritage. Worcester was home to one of the most robust industrial baseball leagues in the late 19th century and is the birthplace of Ernest Thayer, author of the legendary baseball poem “Casey at the Bat.”

For more information about the National Baseball Poetry Festival, including contest entry details and event schedules, visit baseballpoetryfest.org.

About the National Baseball Poetry Festival 

The National Baseball Poetry Festival is a first-of-its-kind event that celebrates the intersection of baseball and the fine arts. The Festival serves as a platform to bring together poets, artists, and baseball enthusiasts to share their love for the game through the power of storytelling. With a strong commitment to education and community engagement, the Festival encourages literacy and artistic expression among students and adults alike. The event takes place in Worcester, MA, a city with a deep-rooted baseball history and a growing reputation as a cultural hub.

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