Bluefish Awarded Atlantic League Promotion of the Year
October 15, 2015 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Bridgeport, Conn. - October 15, 2015) - The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball today announced that the Bluefish have been awarded Promotion of the Year for the series of events hosted in Bridgeport during the 2015 Atlantic League All-Star Week from July 7th through 9th.
"The Bluefish staff and I had so much fun planning and executing this series of All-Star events," says Bluefish General Manager Jamie Toole. "It was an honor to host the All-Star Game, and we wanted to make those three days an experience that the All-Stars and their families, as well as fans of the Atlantic League, would never forget."
The All-Star celebration began on the evening of Tuesday, July 7th, when the Bluefish shut down Fairfield Avenue in Downtown Bridgeport to host the All-Star Block Party. There was live music and plenty of food, as well as appearances by the All-Star players and the Atlantic League team mascots. Proceeds from the Block Party benefitted the Bridgeport Caribe Youth Baseball League. After the Block Party was over, there was a private All-Star VIP Reception at the Bijou Theater where the All-Stars were introduced. Food was provided by Centerplate. Local singer-songwriter Javier Colon, who was the winner of the first season of NBC's reality show The Voice, also performed.
Wednesday, July 8th was the big day. First, the Bluefish hosted the All-Star Luncheon at Housatonic Community College, which featured special guest, professional wrestling legend Ric Flair as the keynote speaker. The Luncheon featured a 'Tastes of the Atlantic League' menu, with each team being represented by a regional dish.
The gates at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard opened at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The Home Run Derby began at 5:00 p.m., where the All-Stars battled to see who could hit the most balls out of the Ballpark and onto the train tracks. Each Atlantic League contestant was paired with a local Little League team to help raise money for their organization. The Bluefish selected outfielder Welington Dotel to represent the team in the Derby, and he ultimately came out victorious.
The main event was played in traditional All-Star Game format, with players from Bridgeport's own Liberty Division facing off against those from the Freedom Division. Bluefish Manager Ricky VanAsselberg managed the Liberty Division team, while Lancaster Barnstormers Manager Butch Hobson managed the Freedom Division. Javier Colon once again made an appearance, singing the National Anthem before the first pitch was thrown by Ric Flair. The Freedom Division pulled out the win over the Liberty Division with a score of 5-1. There was also a spectacular 3D fireworks show after the game.
The All-Star Game featured the introduction of the Rawlings red-and-blue-stitched baseball into official Atlantic League play. The first pitch thrown during the 2015 Atlantic League All-Star Game will be displayed at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, next month alongside a photo of Bluefish pitcher D.J. Mitchell, the starter for the home Liberty Division team, as part of the museum's "This Year in Baseball" exhibit. The re-introduction of the red-white-and-blue baseballs by a professional league for the first time since 1934 received national attention, including Sporting News, SB Nation, and the New York Post.
Once the All-Star Game was over, the Bluefish hosted an exclusive Boathouse Bash after-party at the Knowlton Boathouse in Bridgeport, just minutes away from the Ballpark. The evening was filled with dancing, hand-rolled cigars, and boat tours around Bridgeport Harbor.
The festivities concluded on Thursday, July 9th with the 'Heroes for Heroes' Legends Game, where former Red Sox took on Former Yankees in a seven-inning charity contest. The Red Sox roster featured Ellis Burks and the Yankees roster included Dwight "Doc" Gooden, among many other legends. Proceeds from the Legends Game benefitted ABRI/Homes for the Brave, a nonprofit based right here in Bridgeport that is dedicated to improving the lives of homeless individuals, especially Veterans.
The Bridgeport Bluefish are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. For further information, call 203-210-BLUE (2583) or visit BridgeportBluefish.com.
Atlantic League Stories from October 15, 2015
- Barnstormers Win Inaugural Community Service Award - Lancaster Stormers
- Bluefish Awarded Atlantic League Promotion of the Year - Bridgeport Bluefish
- TD Bank Ballpark Named Atlantic League Ballpark of the Year - Somerset Patriots
- QuackerJack Named Mascot of the Year - Long Island Ducks
- Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Patrick Day Named Atlantic League Executive of the Year - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
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