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Back in January, we discussed the sale of the New Haven Ravens to a New Hampshire investor. Our pal Pistol just sent me this update, which suggests it will be made official shortly -- the team is leaving Connecticut. The Jays' AA farm club will play this year in one of the more decrepit old minor-league ballparks, then move to a completely renovated facility in 2004.

New Haven baseball fans probably feel abandoned, so attendance could suffer this season, but from the Toronto organization's perspective, it's an excellent move in the long run. The 2003 Ravens still have plenty of talent, even if they are ignored by the locals, then the 2004 edition in Manchester should receive great fan support, as they begin a lasting relationship with their new community. The Red Sox allowed it all to happen by waiving their territorial rights, adding to the impression that the two AL East rivals have a friendly front-office relationship. I'm still not sure whether this was just good fortune for the Jays, or they expected it even before they changed their AA affiliation. Either way, I'm already thinking about a road trip next summer.
Posted by Coach on Thursday, April 03 2003 @ 02:15 AM EST.
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_Jacko - Thursday, April 03 2003 @ 04:18 PM EST (#91525) #
Something tells me JP's strong Massachusetts ties had something to do with the Red Sox playing nice on this one. I don't think an AA franchise will provide much meaningful competition to a team that sells out every game.

BTW, Boston's AA affiliate recently changed from Trenton to Portland, ME, which is only 100 miles up the coast. There wasn't much advantage in moving it to Manchester (50 miles north).

jc
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_Ryan - Thursday, April 03 2003 @ 04:21 PM EST (#91526) #
Pretty good news for me. Manchester is "only" 6.5 hours from me, so I should be able to get a couple trips in there per year, hopefully. I believe that Portland is the only one closer (a mere five hours away).
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_Matthew Elmslie - Thursday, April 03 2003 @ 05:26 PM EST (#91527) #
So what's the team name going to be? The Melissas?
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_Ryan - Thursday, April 03 2003 @ 05:59 PM EST (#91528) #
Maybe they could support a bankrupt airline and call the team "Manchester United"? Or is that name already taken by someone?
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Pistol - Thursday, April 03 2003 @ 06:50 PM EST (#91529) #
I live just outside of Hartford so New Haven is my immediate driving range and Manchester, NH isn't. So for me it isn't the ideal situtaion. The irony is that I used to live in Manchester, NH a few years ago. They got a minor league hockey team a couple years, a new arena, and now the Jays' AA team. Apparently the new hockey team's attendence is extremely strong (affiliated with the LA Kings).

For the Jays it'd be a good move in that they'll have better facilities and a larger fan based just on the novelty of a new team and park in town (although maybe it's more of a baseball town).

I would tend to believe that the Jays lucked into this. If I remember correctly they were scrambling around to find any AA team to be with, and I believe Norwich was their first choice as the Yankees left (and Giants moved in).
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