As reported in today's New London Day....

Norwich — The Connecticut Defenders will hold off on a decision regarding a proposed parking fee at the Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium until mid-February, after the annual Fan Fest.

Team officials have been considering introducing a $2 per vehicle parking fee as a way of raising revenue without raising ticket prices or concession prices. Team owner Lou DiBella said Monday team officials would re-evaluate the proposed fee after looking at ticket sales and advertising dollars projected for the coming season.

Thus far, however, DiBella said advertising revenue appears flat with the slowing economy. The team last year lowered food prices in the concession stands, and DiBella has not raised ticket prices since he purchased the team two years ago.

“I'm not looking to charge for parking,” DiBella said. “I don't want to charge for parking. I'd rather not charge for parking. But the reality is we haven't raised prices since we got here and we've lowered the food prices. ... Ideally I'd like to be the cheapest entertainment choice we can be and still end up in the black.”

The proposed parking fee raised objections in comments posted on the Day's Web site Saturday, as several people feared the charge would hurt attendance or cause traffic backups in the stadium parking lot.

DiBella repeated a call for community support for the Defenders, the AA minor league baseball affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, to show the region can support professional baseball.

The Defenders' lease with the city of Norwich runs through 2012, but the team has an option for an early buy-out after the 2009 season based on attendance and profitability.

“We'll hold off (on the parking charge decision) and see where we stand with advertising and tickets sold,” DiBella said. “We'll see where we stand economically.”