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Post by Crucis#1 on Jul 12, 2019 12:33:32 GMT -5
Some of the same comments were made in New Britain CT after the New Britain Rock Cats announced they were moving to a new ball park in downtown Hartford. Many saying they would not travel to Hartford. The distance between the two venues is 14 miles, less than a 20 minute drive.
In spite of having construction delays in year 1 and playing all games in the first year of the move on the road, the new Hartford Yard Goats are selling out many games and have a great promotion schedule. New Britain replaced the Rock Cats (AA) with an Atlantic League team called the New Britain Bees. So far it appears to have been a win-win for both cities regarding baseball.
The New Britain Rock Cats (Colorado Rockies AA) were formerly the New Britain Red Sox, whose name was changed when the Red Sox refused to renew their affiliates agreement when the former owner, Joe Buzas, refused the Red Sox parent club request to move the team to Springfield MA. It seems apparent that the Red Sox strategic plan was to have many of their minor league teams in MA cities if possible. Lowell Spinners being an A league affiliate. The Red Sox organization probably would like their current AA team within the commonwealth, however they would have to deal with a territorial issue with the Yard Goats.
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Post by timholycross on Jul 12, 2019 21:02:03 GMT -5
All I know about New Britain is the dimensions were enormous and the big club didn't take that into account when evaluating the skills of a guy named Bagwell.
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Post by timholycross on Jul 12, 2019 21:03:35 GMT -5
All I know about New Britain is the dimensions were enormous and the big club didn't take that into account when evaluating the skills of a guy named Bagwell.
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Post by longsuffering on Jul 12, 2019 21:57:17 GMT -5
All I know about New Britain is the dimensions were enormous and the big club didn't take that into account when evaluating the skills of a guy named Bagwell. "The sun will rise, the sun will set and I'll have lunch." -Lou Gorman
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Post by longsuffering on Jul 12, 2019 22:30:50 GMT -5
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Post by HC92 on Jul 12, 2019 22:41:56 GMT -5
All I know about New Britain is the dimensions were enormous and the big club didn't take that into account when evaluating the skills of a guy named Bagwell. My son pitched a high school game on that field this year. They built a new minor league stadium next door in the 1990s. Old Beehive field is now used for high school and other local games. As a pitcher, my son liked the big dimensions. Probably his best start of the year. Same mound as Roger Clemens once pitched on (pre-steroids).
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Post by Tom on Jul 13, 2019 7:43:28 GMT -5
Per local legend, it landed in the football stadium. Some also claim there was no fence between the baseball field and the football field thus making it an inside the park home run that just kept going. Not sure if I buy that one because fans could too easily sneak into football games
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Post by HC92 on Jul 13, 2019 14:56:21 GMT -5
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Post by lou on Jul 13, 2019 16:06:17 GMT -5
Terrific, Thanks for posting
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Post by timholycross on Jul 14, 2019 8:39:39 GMT -5
Per local legend, it landed in the football stadium. Some also claim there was no fence between the baseball field and the football field thus making it an inside the park home run that just kept going. Not sure if I buy that one because fans could too easily sneak into football games "The young rookie sent a pitch by Crusader pitcher Mike Klarnick deep to center field. There were no fences at Fitton back then so the ball kept rolling until it stopped right before the football field. Grand slam and history was made.".
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Post by rickii on Jul 14, 2019 9:52:00 GMT -5
Per local legend, it landed in the football stadium. Some also claim there was no fence between the baseball field and the football field thus making it an inside the park home run that just kept going. Not sure if I buy that one because fans could too easily sneak into football games [ How could there be ‘local legends’ on the old baseball diamond when photos from all angles have been available/published for decades?
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Post by longsuffering on Jul 14, 2019 22:38:13 GMT -5
Excellent. The ball may have landed near where Uncle Jay's Chili sets up for football games.
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Post by timholycross on Jul 14, 2019 22:49:17 GMT -5
Did HC lose a small bit of land when 290 was built or did they move the field strictly because as it sat it would have been too close to the entrance ramp?
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Post by rgs318 on Jul 15, 2019 5:18:42 GMT -5
The old stadium was in pretty rough shape. IIRC a new one was needed and HC did give up a small bit of land for the roadwork with 290, but the state did chip in for the new stands.
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Post by matunuck on Jul 15, 2019 10:20:24 GMT -5
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Post by possum on Jul 16, 2019 15:10:11 GMT -5
Given the current state of HC athletics wonder if the decision to save the stadium during construction of 290 would be the same today. At that time HC was drawing good crowds, playing big time opponents and providing good entertainment to the City. Unfortunately now there are very few residents left who care about HC athletics.
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Post by timholycross on Jul 25, 2019 12:25:17 GMT -5
Question: I was in Worcester today, traveled to HC from Lincoln Square on 290. I saw Crompton Park on the right (famous for its summer league games years ago). Where is the new ballpark being constructed in relation to that playground?
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Post by CHC8485 on Jul 25, 2019 14:36:34 GMT -5
Walking, about 1/2 a mile due north. If you know where the Greyhound bus terminal was in the 70's & 80's, head toward Kelley Square on Madison about a quarter mile and the site is on the left just after Gold St. Click the link below. Walking Crompton Park to Polar Park
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Post by longsuffering on Jul 25, 2019 17:19:55 GMT -5
Google maps already has Polar Park. Impressive. Don't try to hide anything from the eye in the sky.
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Post by timholycross on Jul 31, 2019 11:36:41 GMT -5
Google maps already has Polar Park. Impressive. Don't try to hide anything from the eye in the sky. ...and it wasn't on there a week or so ago, I swear. Thanks.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Jul 31, 2019 16:54:47 GMT -5
Polar is now nation wide.
Recently I walked into a grocery store in Washington state and was surprised to see a variety of Polar seltzer products prominently displayed.
Chu Chu can now have a taste of Worcester near his home.
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Post by rgs318 on Jul 31, 2019 17:13:59 GMT -5
We get Polar seltzer regularly here in NJ.
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Post by longsuffering on Jul 31, 2019 21:54:26 GMT -5
Polar is now nation wide. Recently I walked into a grocery store in Washington state and was surprised to see a variety of Polar seltzer products prominently displayed. Chu Chu can now have a taste of Worcester near his home. The reason why the Blackstone River is just a trickle as it meanders by the HC campus is because they dam it up Southbridge St. at Polar so they can add flavor and fizz and then bottle it.
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Post by cmo on Aug 3, 2019 20:43:37 GMT -5
Polar is now nation wide. Recently I walked into a grocery store in Washington state and was surprised to see a variety of Polar seltzer products prominently displayed. Chu Chu can now have a taste of Worcester near his home. delicious, especially with some Tito’s 😃
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Post by timholycross on Nov 25, 2019 7:46:00 GMT -5
Bump- Nickname and Logo to be unveiled today.
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