Rock Cats Switch Affiliation
By Robin Vinci at September 18, 2023 | 6:15 pm | Print
After 20 years the Minnesota Twins announced Tuesday that for now they have cut ties with the New Britain Rock Cats.
According to the Pioneer Press, Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said, “We had to do something (by Thursday’s deadline) and we did.”
“We don’t know if they’re going to move to Hartford; I don’t know if anybody knows,” Ryan said in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “That’s about the only reason we severed [the 20-year relationship] — there’s a lot of uncertainty in New Britain right now.”
The Rock Cats announced on their website Wednesday that they will now be affiliated with the Colorado Rockies for 2015-16 seasons.
“We are excited to have a new Major League partnership with the Colorado Rockies and thrilled that they will be part of the Rock Cats exciting future,” remarked Rock Cats Managing Partner Josh Solomon on the team website. “The Rockies have the same values that are important to the Rock Cats in community service and also have done a great job in player development and winning at the minor league level,”
“The Rockies are thrilled to have the opportunity to play in New Britain in front of a great historic fan base and are excited to build new relationships with the Rock Cats fans,” Rockies Senior Director of Player Development Jeff Bridich said. “The Eastern League is a tremendous league where there are high expectations of talent, and we feel our players will thrive in the environment that it provides.”
New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart released the following statement, “For nearly 20 years, New Britain has hosted the Minnesota Twins AA affiliate. While it is unfortunate they now feel compelled to cut those ties, I am relieved to hear that the Colorado Rockies AA affiliate may call New Britain home in the 2015 season. Between our fans, our facilities, and our willingness to work with ownership, this City has proven that a minor league ball club can be very successful right here in New Britain. We thank the Twins for their partnership over the years and we would welcome the Rockies organization to Hard Hittin’ New Britain!”
This is just one more change that has occurred following a May announcement that the Rock Cats want to move to Hartford in 2016.
Hartford last week chose a proposal that includes a $350-million development including a 6,000-seat stadium, little league park, brewery and supermarket.
The brand new stadium in Hartford will be built on two parcels of land near Capital Preparatory Magnet School and near Radisson Hotel at 1214 Main St. The stadium will be over 220,000 square feet.
The AA team representing the Minnesota Twins has been in New Britain for 20 years.
On July 12, 2008, the Rock Cats established a franchise record for single game attendance. The crowd of 8,115 marked the first time the 8,000 mark was surpassed for a game at New Britain Stadium. This record was broken on June 27, 2009, with a crowd of 8,212. On July 10, 2013, the Rock Cats hosted the Eastern League All-Star Game at New Britain Stadium. The event drew 8,633 fans, shattering the previous single game attendance record. The Rock Cats reached the 8,000 mark once again on May 31, 2024 with a crowd of 8,079.
The ball club would rent the stadium for $500,000 per year for the first 15 years of the deal and $600,000 for the final 10 years of the initial agreement.
This year the Rock Cats did not pay their $164,569.26 bill with the town of Berlin. New Britain paid the bill. After much maneuvering, the Rock Cats paid New Britain the funds in late August.
In 2014, the Colorado Rockies Double-A affiliate reached the Texas League Championship Series and has made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons. The Rockies Low-A club in Ashville has won the South Atlantic League Championship in two of the past three years. Baseball America ranked the Rockies as the 11th best minor league system in baseball in 2014.
“We are thrilled to welcome our new Major League partner. Our fans will also get the opportunity to see a National League brand of baseball for the first time in franchise history,” said Rock Cats General Manager Tim Restall.
The Rockies have two of the biggest stars that have come through New Britain, American League Most Valuable Player Justin Morneau and 2013 National League Batting Champion Michael Cuddyer. Both Morneau and Cuddyer played instrumental roles in winning New Britain’s last Eastern League Championship in 2001.”
The Rock Cats home opener is on April 16 against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto).
Since the announcement of the departure, the City has been talking to other baseball teams and Stewart has said New Britain will continue to have baseball in New Britain in 2016.
