Rock Cats to Welcome New US Citizens in July 3rd Ceremony

July 1, 2014 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT- The New Britain Rock Cats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, and the local office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are once again collaborating on a special Independence Day event at New Britain Stadium. On Thursday, July 3 the Rock Cats have invited 20 Connecticut residents to come to the ballpark and take their Oath of Allegiance- the final hurdle for them becoming US citizens on the field at home plate. The pre-game ceremony will take place at 6:00 PM prior to the Rock Cats game against the Binghamton Mets. A special Independence Day Fireworks Show will follow the game.

This is the 7th consecutive year that this very special ceremony will be held on the diamond at New Britain Stadium. The 20 local residents, who are becoming full-fledged Americans, hail from eleven different Nutmeg State communities. Those cities and towns are Bridgeport, Danbury, East Hartford, Groton, Hartford, Middletown, Monroe, Naugatuck, New Haven, New Milford and Waterbury. The prospective new citizens' countries of origin include Albania, Australia, Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Guatemala, Guinea, India, Jamaica, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Tanzania and United Kingdom.

The Honorable Warren W. Eginton, Senior US District Court Judge, will administer the Oath of Allegiance to America's newest citizens shortly after 6:00 on July 3. Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty will speak and the American Legion Post 2 Honor Guard from Bristol, CT will be part of the event. This unique Naturalization ceremony is one of several being held across the country to coincide with our national celebration of America's Independence Day.

"We are thrilled to continue the tradition of having the Naturalization ceremony at New Britain Stadium just before the game," Rock Cats General Manager Tim Restall said. "There is no better way to celebrate America's birthday than with America's National Pastime and seeing these wonderful folks becoming US citizens will be a moving experience."

Tickets are available for the July 3 game by visiting www.rockcats.com or calling 860-224-8383. Gates will open at 5:30 that evening so fans will be able to watch the Naturalization ceremony behind home plate.



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