If Minor League Baseball is Reduced, Norwich Franchise Could Disappear

Connecticut’s minor league franchise hosts may be in two different categories – the have and the have not – when the 2021 season gets underway, if Major League Baseball’s plan to cut 42 teams in Minor League Baseball becomes a reality.

While the Eastern League’s Hartford Yard Goats are not on the chopping block, the Class-A New York-Penn League’s Norwich Tigers are on the list of franchises whose agreements with a Major League team would end with the expiration of the working agreement between MLB and MiLB, which expires after the 2020 season.  According to widespread published reports, MLB is looking to save money by dropping 42 of the affiliate agreements, and the future of the league in which the Tigers play is in doubt.

The plan, which some say will never happen, has drawn opposition from fans and elected officials, particularly in the targeted towns.  Last week, more than 100 members of Congress signed a letter to Commissioner Rob Manfred calling for MLB to reconsider such drastic measure.

“If enacted, it would undermine the health of the minor league system that undergirds talent development and encourages fan loyalty,” the letter states.

While the 2020 season is set to get underway in the spring without change, some have suggested that the news of the possible elimination of nearly four dozen teams could hurt efforts to sell tickets for the upcoming season.

A reshuffling of the small deck of minor league clubs could mean changes as existing franchises are moved to various leagues in a realignment.  Among the rumors:  Two NY-Penn League teams would potentially move to the Double-A Eastern League replacing existing teams there, while at least one other NY-Penn League team would be shifted up to the Carolina League and replace an existing team there.  The Connecticut Tigers play currently in the NY-Penn League.

Meanwhile, the Norwich team, which plays at Dodd Stadium, is in the midst of a renaming contest that began during the 2019 season.  The team asked for fans to vote for one of five finalists, with the new name slated to be announced this month.  The finalists:  Norwich Golden Roses, Norwich Mill Mules, Norwich Narwhals, Norwich Salty Dogs, and Norwich Sea Unicorns. 

"We really enjoyed the passion and creativity shown by our fans through their suggestions." said Connecticut Tigers General Manager Dave Schermerhorn in a statement on the team’s website. "We're excited to unveil five finalists for names that we feel represent our community's history as well as the fun and excitement of Minor League Baseball."

The Hartford Yard Goats, double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, led the Eastern League in attendance in 2019, with 414,946 fans attending games.  The average of 6,193 was the league’s second highest, just 62 fans per game behind the league leading Richmond Flying Squirrels at 6,255.  The Yard Goats attendance was up nearly 1.5 percent from 408,942 in 2018, and up 5 percent from 395,196 in 2017.

The Tigers attendance high water mark was in 2013, when a franchise record of 68,757 watched the team play ball.  The team recently signed a 10-year agreement with the City of Norwich to continue playing at Dodd Stadium.  The team has been in the city for a decade.

Among the other minor league teams in limbo, according to published reports, are the Staten Island Yankees, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, a New York Mets affiliate, and the Lowell Spinners, a Red Sox affiliate.