New Britain Rock Cats moving to Hartford?

[Dove]

Well, at least New Britain fans can take the busway!

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-hartford-rockcats-0603-20140602,0,3959720.story

Hopefully either stadium can be specced to AAA standards.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Well, at least New Britain fans can take the busway!

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-hartford-rockcats-0603-20140602,0,3959720.story

Hopefully either stadium can be specced to AAA standards.

Linky no worky.

 

[Dove]

Linky no worky.

I was doing some edits. It worky.

 

[WestHartHusk]

But I think this would be amazing for the city and the team. For the team, being central to more fans means they should be able to draw 10-12k for games. And for the city, bringing that many people downtown would be HUGE during the summer. I also think that would spur even more housing/entertainment - seems like the city is picking up some steam. Now we just need a XL Center overhaul.

 

[Adios]

Sucks for the fans in New Britain. That's hardcore support. Been to games long ago. What a fun atmosphere.

New Britain may want to consider an Atlantic League franchise.

 

[intlzncster]

Hartford needs to work more on supporting UCONN (FB, MBB, and WBB) to a greater degree than it does piling up minor league sports franchises. jmo

 

[WestHartHusk]

Sucks for the fans in New Britain. That's hardcore support. Been to games long ago. What a fun atmosphere.

No doubt, but like others have said the bus can get NB'ers downtown in 10 minutes. And I think in the end, the team will be more successful in Hartford. Access to more fans, more dining/entertainment options than New Britain should draw people out (or encourage them to stay downtown after work). I think this is a huge piece for the city going forward and should add enormously to creating a lively city. I also think we could see a few UConn games there which would be awesome for those of us that can't get up to Storrs to see a game.

Also, I expect that the view should look out over downtown which itself will be cool.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Hartford needs to work more on supporting UCONN (FB, MBB, and WBB) to a greater degree than it does piling up minor league sports franchises. jmo

This is such a Connecticut mentality - search desperately for a reason to complain. A baseball team playing games during the summer has nothing - absolutely nothing - to do with UConn basketball and football. You might as well complain about the menu at Capital Grille affecting our field goal production.

 

[intlzncster]

This is such a Connecticut mentality - search desperately for a reason to complain. A baseball team playing games during the summer has nothing - absolutely nothing - to do with UConn basketball and football. You might as well complain about the menu at Capital Grille affecting our field goal production.

Well, I don't live in CT, but UCONN is CT's 'professional' sports team. And it's undersold imo.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Well, I don't live in CT, but UCONN is CT's 'professional' sports team. And it's undersold imo.

I can agree with you there. I just don't think this will affect things one way or the other.

In fact I am really hoping to get some baseball games in there and maybe the AAC tournament at some point. We are actually in a pretty solid baseball league in the AAC, would be nice if a new stadium could contribute in some way towards us competing.

 

[Adios]

Well, I don't live in CT, but UCONN is CT's 'professional' sports team. And it's undersold imo.

There's a difference between college and professional baseball here. The college baseball here is amazingly undersold. The Rock Cats get 6K a game. That's excellent for the AA level. Hartford should get an expansion team in a AA or AAA league but the Rock Cats' owners want money.

The Bridgeport Bluefish have a great stadium, too. Amazing stadium, really.

 

[intlzncster]

There's a difference between college and professional baseball here. The college baseball here is amazingly undersold. The Rock Cats get 6K a game. That's excellent for the AA level. Hartford should get an expansion team in a AA or AAA league but the Rock Cats' owners want money.

The Bridgeport Bluefish have a great stadium, too. Amazing stadium, really.

You're probably right. I don't follow much baseball except for the Sox. Though, I could probably get into UCONN Baseball if it was more of a thing.

 

[OkaForPrez]

Hello Ms. Mayor!

 

[Dove]

Hartford needs to work more on supporting UCONN (FB, MBB, and WBB) to a greater degree than it does piling up minor league sports franchises. jmo

Thank you for your interest in Minnesota Twins minor league baseball.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Sad that Hartford is competing with NB for the same business and they are only 10 miles part. Typical New England. Was surprised as the Cats draw well until I saw that Springfield MA is making a play for them, too. All about the Benjamins, even at this level.

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_att&lid=113

 

[Ozone21]

They should upgrade to AAA if they move, just Saying

 

[UCweCONN]

I was just at a game in New Britain last week. Great crowd, atrocious traffic and parking. It will be a huge loss for the city.

 

[alexd]

I was just at a game in New Britain last week. Great crowd, atrocious traffic and parking. It will be a huge loss for the city.

I hear they just set a league record for attendance this weekend with over 21K for the 3 games.

 

[Adios]

Sad that Hartford is competing with NB for the same business and they are only 10 miles part. Typical New England. Was surprised as the Cats draw well until I saw that Springfield MA is making a play for them, too. All about the Benjamins, even at this level.

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_att&lid=113

This was Hartford vs Springfield. New Britain was just a step up. Unless they are planning on creating a 10K seat stadium, this move makes no sense. And that may very well happen. Muzzy Field to 10K seat stadiums in the Eastern League now.

 

[Ha Who]

Jacobs was right for once. Is Hartford playing Charlie Brown again? Also, my $5.00 XL lot is right near the stadium. I hope that doesn't go away.

 

[Waquoit]

Jacobs was right for once. Is Hartford playing Charlie Brown again? Also, my $5.00 XL lot is right near the stadium. I hope that doesn't go away.

Your spot will become 2nd base.

 

[Deepster]

But I think this would be amazing for the city and the team. For the team, being central to more fans means they should be able to draw 10-12k for games. And for the city, bringing that many people downtown would be HUGE during the summer. I also think that would spur even more housing/entertainment - seems like the city is picking up some steam. Now we just need a XL Center overhaul.

Really? I think it's just the opposite. New Britain is a family friendly environment. Families, little league teams, cub scout troops, etc. I think you'll have a harder time luring those people into the city. Tickets, parking, concessions are probably going to be a little bit more. Getting in and out of Hartford is a pain in the rear on a Friday night (big night for them). I don't see the blueprint for success here...and it's a shame if it happens, New Britain has enjoyed a great relationship with the team and there are lots of loyal Rock Cats fans.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Manuel should leverage this in to a single use baseball, hockey, basketball and football arena in downtown.

 

[Hoophound]

The negatives for New Britain are obvious but the positives for Hartford are part of a cumulative effort that's been in the making for 20 years.

With minor league baseball, UConn's downtown campus, Front Street, lots of new apartments, the convention center, science museum, Wadsworth, the Bushnell, XL etc. Hartford is finally getting to the point where it may hit critical mass and take off. The idea of a ballpark downtown, minor league or not, is great. I would hope it would be built with historic character and be a beautiful addition to downtown that appears as if it has been there for years.

All of these projects, when put together, will provide the downtown foot traffic needed to really grow the city's core and create a consistent level of activity that creates an exciting environment. In short, if Hartford can build any large venue and have a tenant ready to occupy it, it is probably going to be good for the city. It is much better business than building a new XL Center and then hoping an NHL franchise will move in----though I realize that seems to be how you lure pro teams these days.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

This was Hartford vs Springfield. New Britain was just a step up. Unless they are planning on creating a 10K seat stadium, this move makes no sense. And that may very well happen. Muzzy Field to 10K seat stadiums in the Eastern League now.

10K seats for a AA baseball team. Makes no sense. The RockCats averaged 4,600 or so in 2013 and the best Eastern League team was at 6,700. No minor league team at any level outside of a team from Monterey, Mexico, which I never knew existed, averaged above 9K per team. Thus, 10K for even an AAA team is a stretch. NB has been successful and has drawn well. This looks more like a new owner wanting more money and more bling, especially from taxpayers, thus the Hartford v. Springfield angle.

I love Minor League baseball and take my kids to the Rockland Boulders a lot. The team is just above a college team; but, parking is cheap, tickets are cheap, free fireworks on weekend games and my boys have a lot of fun.