New Britain Set To Begin 28th Season In Hardware City

Published on April 7, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - With the arrival of beautiful Spring weather - and the UConn Women having finished off their magnificent undefeated season by capturing another National Championship last night in San Antonio - it's the perfect time for the return of baseball to the Nutmeg State. And, right on cue, the New Britain Rock Cats are in town and ready to lift the curtain on their 38th consecutive season of baseball in Connecticut at 6:05 tomorrow evening at New Britain Stadium.

Under the watchful eye of their new Manager - 35-year-old Jeff Smith, the first former player in franchise history to return as team boss - the Rock Cats will play host to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Eastern League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, in the first game of the new season for both clubs. And the Opening Night pitching match-up is one that carries additional excitement as two 1st Round selections - RHP Carlos Gutierrez, a top pick in 2008 out of the University of Miami, and RHP Kyle Drabek, the Texas native selected first by Philadelphia in 2006 - will face off at New Britain Stadium.

The 2010 edition of the Rock Cats - twenty-four strong - features an equal number of returnees and rookies. Among those making a return trip to New Britain, in addition to the aforementioned Carlos Gutierrez, are 2009 Eastern League All-Stars INF Whit Robbins and OF Rene Tosoni. Included among the newcomers donning New Britain uniforms for the first time tomorrow night are two more #1 picks - OF Ben Revere (2007) and INF Chris Parmelee (2006) - selectees of the Minnesota Twins, the Rock Cats' parent club.

Before the new season's first pitch is tossed tomorrow evening, The First Company Governor's Foot Guard will parade The Colors onto the field. The National Anthem will be sung by the Wethersfield High School Concert Choir, with America The Beautiful being rendered by the James Moran Middle School Band of Wallingford. There will be a number of ceremonial first pitches tossed on the Stadium mound tomorrow night as well, as loyal `Cats fans get a chance to directly participate in the 2010 Opening Night festivities. Moreover, Opening Night is also a Family Four-Pak Night, whereby fans get 4 Reserved Seats, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Soft Drinks, and 4 Popcorns for just $30! It is family friendly deals like this - in addition to the great baseball - that has enabled the Rock Cats to move nearly 180,000 tickets before the new season even begins.

The 2010 Rock Cats roster contains 10 players who Baseball America deem to be among the Top 30 Prospects in the entire Minnesota system. These include Revere (#5), Gutierrez (#7), RHP David Bromberg (#9), Tosoni (#12), OF Joe Benson (#13), Parmelee (#14), LHP Tyler Robertson (#16), RHP Deolis Guerra (#22), SS Estarlin de los Santos (#23), and RHP Loek Van Mil (#29). Van Mil will commence the new season on DL with shin splints.

The Rock Cats will do baseball battle with New Hampshire tomorrow night, Friday at High Noon, Saturday night at 6:35 PM, before these two clubs conclude the Opening Series on Sunday afternoon at 1:35 PM. Once the Fisher Cats depart, the Portland Sea Dogs, affiliates of the Boston Red Sox, will pull into New Britain to engage the host Rock Cats in two Night games (Monday and Tuesday at 6:35 PM), and a special Morning affair (Wednesday at 10:35 AM).

Many good seats remain available for Opening Night and, indeed, for all seven games of the Opening Homestand of the new campaign. Fans wishing to secure tickets may do so by visiting the New Britain Stadium Box Office between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday and from 10:00 AM onward, all day Saturday and Sunday. Fans may also call the Rock Cats' Ticket Office at (860) 224-8383 or, if they prefer the convenience of online purchasing, may secure tickets via the club's website at www.rockcats.com.

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Eastern League Stories from April 7, 2010


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