WORCESTER, Mass. - For seven games this season, the Worcester Red Sox will change their name to "Los Wepas de Worcester."

The name change is part of Minor League Baseball's  “Copa de la Diversión,” or “Fun Cup,” a season-long series embracing the culture and color of the Hispanic and Latino communities. The WooSox are one of 76 teams invited to participate.

¡Wepa! is a Spanish expression of excited happiness.  The idea to name the team “¡Wepa!” for the seven games came from Daniel Velazquez, a Worcester resident. Velazquez suggested the name during a WooSox Fan Plan meeting in Feb. 2020 at Centro Inc. 

"I am an artist myself; part of it was the alliteration,” said Velazquez. “Any Latin person you come across, you can say, 'Wepa', and they will know exactly what you're saying. It's almost like a Batman comic book when you see, 'Bam!' pop out of the page." 

Velazquez will be honored with a Ceremonial First Pitch prior to the first Los Wepas de Worcester game set to take place at Polar Park on June 6 at 1:05 pm against the Rochester Red Wings.

Here are the games in which the team is expected to wear Los Wepas caps and jerseys are listed below:

  • Sunday, June 6 at 1:05 pm vs. Rochester
  • Tuesday, July 27 at 6:35 pm vs. Buffalo
  • Sunday, August 1 at 1:05 pm vs. Buffalo
  • Friday, August 13 at 6:35 pm vs.Syracuse
  • Saturday, August 14 at 4:05 pm vs. Syracuse
  • Wednesday, August 18 at 6:35 pm vs.Scranton/WB
  • Tuesday, September 7 at 6:35 pm vs. Lehigh Valley

Not only will the team change its name on designated “Copa de la Diversión” nights, but will celebrate the local Latino communities through ballpark music, food, entertainment, and community spotlights.