Short season single A??? Joe Perez of the Norwich Bulletin writes:
"Norwich, Conn. — If the Defenders leave Norwich, it opens the possibility of another franchise moving into Dodd Stadium, likely a short-season New York-Penn League team.
Which New York-Penn League team moves into Dodd Stadium is still in question. If attendance figures and location to parent club are any indication Jamestown, N.Y., (Florida) and Oneonta, N.Y. (Detroit) are the likely candidates. They are significantly behind the league attendance average for 2008.
Batavia, which has been the bottom of the New York-Penn League in attendance in recent years, looked like a perfect fit. But team Chairwoman Naomi Silver said no one has approached the team’s management group, which also owns the Rochester Red Wings, regarding a sale or relocation of the Muckdogs.
“Batavia has had a ball club for a very long time” she said. “About a year ago they were on the verge of going out of business. We’re about 30 miles down the road and we were in a position to try to help them out. Try and go in and run the team for a few years, see if we couldn’t turn it around. We’re not ready to give up the ship quite yet. There’s at least a reasonable chance that we can turn this operation around and get back to break even or a profitable point.”
Oneonta was sold in December 2008 after single ownership controlled the club since its inception in 1966. Part of that sale included an agreement to keep the Tigers in Oneonta through its lease, which expires after the 2010 season. The team could play out its lease and move into Dodd Stadium for 2011, leaving the ballpark vacant for a year. Oneonta owner E. Miles Prentice, a New York City attorney, was out of the country and unavailable for comment."
I'll go to short season games if it comes here. I saw a few Vermont Expos games back in the 90's and while the quality of ball is nowhere near that of Double A it is affiliated pro ball. Season runs mid June to Labor Day; 72 games in all, 36 home games and 36 away.
**UPDATE: the New London Day is now reporting that the move of a short season team into Dodd is part of the deal of sending the Double A team to Richmond.
posted by greg8370 at 1:23 PM
9 Comments:
Too bad, EL at Dodd is great- but at least you wouldn't freeze to death at the home opener.
2:42 PM
The only good news is we'd be rid of that idiot DiBella who has to rank as one of the lousiest owners in baseball ever....at any level.
2:50 PM
would we be getting a new GM then???
8:23 PM
I think it would be a good idea for the team to either auction off or to have the players get rid of the Dfens equipment they don't want anymore. For example after we won it all in 2002, I was there for all the games and waiting outside the Navigators clubhouse after game 5. I ended up bringing home a David Sheppard game worn hat and a Michael Cervenak practice bat. Any thoughts of what to do with left over gear/equip.?
8:27 PM
Silent auction perhaps to a local charity but I'd like something special done with Tater's statue.
Defsfan--I was at Game 5 in '02 also. I got Aaron Rifkin's cap. Took a bunch of pictures too. I'll put some up soon when I get a chance.
I think Charlie will stay on if he wants to.
11:16 PM
As sad as it is, I'd take it. I just love the game!
7:11 AM
What stinks about game 5 in '02 is i was sitting right near the visiting bullpen because in the other two home games, i had sat near the Navigators pen and they had lost. After Erik Almonte caught the final out I believe he tossed the ball into the stands,I missed the ball by less than 5 feet.
12:01 PM
Defsfan--I think every good fan at some point in times develops some sort of supperstition or ritual. I avoid going into a gift shop during the game if they are winning because they once blew a lead after I went in there and I'm convinced that was the difference maker.
I'm going to have those game 5 pics up in a day or two.
12:10 PM
Almost all equipment, etc. would go with the team to Richmond. Though they'd probably auction off the uniforms and whatever else they thought people would bid on. What wouldn't make the trip would remain in storage for the next operation.
10:20 PM
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