Smith Finalizes Purchase of Bees
March 9, 2021 - Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL)
New Britain Bees News Release
(New Britain, Conn.) - The New Britain Bees today announced the sale of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League team to Newtown resident Brad Smith. Smith spent the past three seasons with the club as General Manager.
"I would like to thank Frank Boulton, Mike Pfaff, Anthony Iacovone, Tony Amin and Vic Picone for helping us getting to this point," said Smith. "It was Frank and Mike who got me back into the baseball business four years ago, and I will be forever grateful." Smith also announced Founding Partner Pfaff will stay on board as a senior advisor to the club.
The closing of the sale follows months of work. Smith signed an agreement to buy the Bees earlier this month, then received approval from both the Futures League and New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart to complete the purchase. "I look forward to continue working closely with Mayor Stewart and Parks and Recreation Director Erik Barbieri to make New Britain Stadium a facility that is used year-round, for the enjoyment of all central Connecticut residents and Bees fans" continued Smith.
"This is the fulfillment of a promise Frank and I made when we arrived here in New Britain back in 2015," said Pfaff. "Our promise was to bring - and keep -- baseball alive in New Britain Stadium for the long term, and to find solid local ownership to make sure it stays here for years to come. Our ownership group felt very strongly that we have found the perfect person to do that in Brad Smith."
A long, successful track record in the baseball world has led Smith to this point. His first 10 years in the industry, from 1995-2005, were with the Chattanooga Lookouts (AA, Cincinnati Reds). In 2005, along with his late father Dale Smith, he purchased the Kannapolis Intimidators (A, Chicago White Sox). Smith served as the Intimidators team president through the 2015 season, when he sold the club. Additionally, from 2014 to 2016, the Smith family owned the Wilmington Sharks of the Coastal Plain League.
Smith, a 1995 graduate of Middlebury College, was a four-year starting shortstop for the Panthers, including being named team captain for the 1995 season.
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Futures Collegiate Baseball League Stories from March 9, 2021
- Smith Finalizes Purchase of Bees - New Britain Bees
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