Last night, I finally headed over to Norwich to see first season of the Connecticut Tigers.  This team is the short season A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers that had been located in Oneonta.  And even though I loved seeing games in Oneonta, any one can see quickly here why the team took the opportunity to move the team.

Dodd Stadium had been the home to a AA team, the Connecticut Defenders, affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.  When they vacated, that left room for a new team to move in.  And, since it was build for AA, it really is a nice field for the players to play in.  The stands are nice for the fans as well.  The food choices are much more varied for the fans- I have never seen a veggie burger at a single-A ballpark, but there it was.  There is a nice party area down the right field line for all you can eat events.  There are nice suites and a party area upstairs.  In general, it is a very comfortable place to watch a game.  Here is a shot of the field, pre-game.

Dodd Stadium, Home of the Connecticut Tigers

On this night, the final game of the season, the Tigers did a great job of saying thank you to the fans.  There was free cake before the game, and lots and lots of free stuff given away by sponsors.  Between nearly every inning the Tigers staff threw out free t-shirts, and with the crowd just over 2,000, it honestly seemed like there wasn’t someone who didn’t leave with one.

The team also honored the host families before the game.  Host families work with the team to provide housing and food to the players on the team.  For such a short period, really less than three months, it would be very hard for these young men to find housing.  These families open up their homes -and their refrigerators to quote the GM of the Tigers- to these young men, and often drive them to the park each day.  They become a stabilizing force for what is often the first professional baseball experience away from home.

Because so many of the fans in the stands were members of these families, the Tigers players who were brought up to sign autographs prior to the game, lingered on the concourse.  They greeted kids, and said good bye to their surrogate parents.  It was comfortable and beautiful.

Connecticut Tigers Players mingle with Fans at the Final 2010 Game

The Tigers were hosting the Aberdeen Ironbirds- affiliate of the Orioles.  Everyone thinks these young men are provided with a spread of food prior to the game. The Ironbirds standing in their underarmour shorts and shirts and shower shoes, all standing in line for hot dogs reminded us that they are not.  At this level, they are given some meal money, but it isn’t for steaks- its for the concession at the ballpark.

The Tigers played a good game.  Neither team was flawless, and their were a lot of Ironbirds that thought diving for a ball in the outfield made you look like you were trying- maybe they thought it would get them on Sports Center.  A few times, those dives just allowed the ball to roll all the way to the wall behind them, and the Tigers runner to get an extra base.

The Tigers scored a run in the first inning, and then despite getting guys into scoring position, were never able to push one across again.  The Ironbirds had trouble getting into scoring position, until the 8th, when the loaded the bases.  They never did manage to get a run, however.  The Tigers won 1-0.  Here is a shot during the game.

Connecticut Tigers host the Aberdeen Ironbirds