WORCESTER, Mass. – April is National Poetry Month and the Worcester Red Sox are celebrating with the first ever National Baseball Poetry Festival. It runs April 28-30 at Polar Park, the canal district and other surrounding businesses.

The festival aims to unite baseball and poetry in what the team calls a unique and wonderful celebration of both. More than 40 baseball poets from across the country will read, recite and perform at the festival. It will be centered around two WooSox games and include ballpark tours and open mic night in the Canal District.

"So what the festival aims to do is reunite two worlds,” said festival organizer Steven Biondolillo. “The world of athletics, specifically the national pastime baseball and all the American history and drama that baseball represents to folks, with the world of poetry and poetry's unique ability to convey that drama in powerful and memorable form."

"I think poetry is a secret passion for a lot of people,” said WooSox President Charles Steinberg. “I think that what this event does in late April is brings it to light and helps children know, okay that's cool, it's cool to write, it's cool to express yourself.”

There will be two poetry contests, one for younger students and little leaguers and one for college students and poets everywhere. Submissions are due Monday, April 3. For more information on how to apply, visit baseballpoetryfest.org.