Jump to content

Norwich Sea Unicorns: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
m Updating the Commons category from "Category:Connecticut Tigers" to "Category:Norwich Sea Unicorns" to avoid a category redirect
 
(40 intermediate revisions by 22 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American minor league baseball team}}
{{Infobox baseball team
{{Infobox baseball team
| Name = Norwich Sea Unicorns
| name = Norwich Sea Unicorns
| Logo = Norwich Sea Unicorns logo.png
| logo = Norwich Sea Unicorns logo.svg
| cap_logo =
| cap_logo =
| League = [[Futures Collegiate Baseball League|FCBL]] (2021–present)
| league = [[Futures Collegiate Baseball League|FCBL]] (2021–present)
| Division =
| division =
| Location = [[Norwich, Connecticut]] (2010–present)
| location = [[Norwich, Connecticut]] (2010–present)
| Stadium = [[Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium]] (2010–present)
| stadium = [[Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium]] (2010–present)
| Founded = 2010
| founded = 2010
| league_champs = [[Futures Collegiate Baseball League|FCBL]]: 2023, 2024
| LeagueChamps =
| Series =
| series =
| SeriesChamps =
| series_champs =
| FormerNames = Connecticut Tigers (2010–2019)
| former_names = Connecticut Tigers (2010–2019)
| FormerLeagues = [[New York–Penn League]] (2010–2020)
| former_leagues = [[New York–Penn League]] (2010–2020)
| former_ballparks=
| FormerBallparks =
| Colors = Navy, yellow, gold, gray, blue, white<ref name=2020colors>{{cite news|title=New for 2020: Norwich Sea Unicorns|url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/12/06/new-for-2020-norwich-sea-unicorns/|publisher=August Publications|website=Ballpark Digest|date=December 6, 2019|access-date=December 6, 2019}}</ref><br />{{color box|#002e62}} {{color box|#ffd478}} {{color box|#e7a512}} {{color box|#b0b7bc}} {{color box|#478bcc}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}
| colors = Navy, yellow, gold, gray, blue, white<ref name=2020colors>{{cite news|title=New for 2020: Norwich Sea Unicorns|url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/12/06/new-for-2020-norwich-sea-unicorns/|publisher=August Publications|website=Ballpark Digest|date=December 6, 2019|access-date=December 6, 2019}}</ref><br />{{color box|#002e62}} {{color box|#ffd478}} {{color box|#e7a512}} {{color box|#b0b7bc}} {{color box|#478bcc}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}
| Ownership = [[Miles Prentice]]
| owner = [[Miles Prentice]]
| Manager =
| mascot =
| Mascot =
| media =
| Media =
| website = {{URL|https://goseaunicorns.com/}}
| general_manager = Lee Walter Jr.
⚫
| Website =
| Manager =[[Eric Campbell (baseball)|Eric Campbell]]
| manager = Kevin Murphy
| GeneralManager =Dave Schermerhorn

}}
}}


The '''Norwich Sea Unicorns''' are a baseball team located in [[Norwich, Connecticut]]. From 2010 to 2020, they were members of [[Minor League Baseball]]'s [[New York–Penn League]] (NYPL) as the [[Class A Short Season]] affiliate of the [[Detroit Tigers]]. They play their home games at [[Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium]]. They were previously known as the '''Connecticut Tigers''' from 2010 to 2019. With [[Major League Baseball]]'s reorganization of the minor leagues after the 2020 season, Norwich was not selected to continue in affiliated baseball. Starting in the 2021 season, Norwich played in the [[Futures Collegiate Baseball League]].
The '''Norwich Sea Unicorns''' are a baseball team located in [[Norwich, Connecticut]]. From 2010 to 2020, they were members of [[Minor League Baseball]]'s [[New York–Penn League]] (NYPL) as the [[Class A Short Season]] affiliate of the [[Detroit Tigers]]. They play their home games at [[Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium]]. They were previously known as the '''Connecticut Tigers''' from 2010 to 2019. With [[Major League Baseball]]'s reorganization of the minor leagues after the 2020 season, Norwich was not selected to continue in affiliated baseball. Starting with the 2021 season, Norwich plays in the [[Futures Collegiate Baseball League]].


==History==
==History==
[[File:CTTigers.jpg|thumb|left|The unveiling of the team's original logo and uniforms at an April 1, 2010, press conference]]
[[File:CTTigers.jpg|thumb|left|The unveiling of the team's original logo and uniforms at an April 1, 2010, press conference]]


On January 27, 2010, [[Oneonta, New York]] Mayor Dick Miller announced in a press release that the [[Oneonta Tigers]] would be leaving the city for [[Norwich, Connecticut]], after the 2009 season. Beginning play in 2010, the Connecticut Tigers played their games in the newly renovated [[Dodd Stadium]], which had been vacated by the [[Connecticut Defenders]] of the [[Eastern League (baseball)|Eastern League]] who had left for [[Richmond, Virginia]], to become the [[Richmond Flying Squirrels]] simultaneous to the Tigers' arrival.
On January 27, 2010, [[Oneonta, New York]] Mayor [[Richard P. Miller Jr.|Dick Miller]] announced in a press release that the [[Oneonta Tigers]] would be leaving the city for [[Norwich, Connecticut]], after the 2009 season. Beginning play in 2010, the Connecticut Tigers played their games in the newly renovated [[Dodd Stadium]], which had been vacated by the [[Connecticut Defenders]] of the [[Eastern League (1938–2020)|Eastern League]] who had left for [[Richmond, Virginia]], to become the [[Richmond Flying Squirrels]] simultaneous to the Tigers' arrival.


In 2011, the Connecticut Tigers saw a 23% increase in total attendance and 20% increase in average attendance over 2010 numbers. The 20% increase in average attendance was the fourth largest increase in all of Minor League Baseball.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reichard |first1=Kevin |title=Crunching the 2011 Minor League Baseball Attendance Figures |url=http://www.ballparkdigest.com/201109124183/attendance/news/crunching-the-2011-minor-league-baseball-attendance-figures |access-date=December 5, 2019 |publisher=August Publications |website=Ballpark Digest |date=September 12, 2011}}</ref>
In 2011, the Connecticut Tigers saw a 23% increase in total attendance and a 20% increase in average attendance over 2010 numbers. The 20% increase in average attendance was the fourth largest increase in all of Minor League Baseball.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reichard |first1=Kevin |title=Crunching the 2011 Minor League Baseball Attendance Figures |url=http://www.ballparkdigest.com/201109124183/attendance/news/crunching-the-2011-minor-league-baseball-attendance-figures |access-date=December 5, 2019 |publisher=August Publications |website=Ballpark Digest |date=September 12, 2011}}</ref>


The Connecticut Tigers name was only expected to be used for the 2010 season with a name-the-team contest expected to be held after the season to decide a permanent name. The team decided to keep the name, however, citing positive feedback from fans owing to the connection to the major league [[Detroit Tigers]], the team's [[Major League Baseball]] affiliate. Connecticut held on to the Tigers moniker through the end of the 2019 season. That season, the team renewed its long-term lease with the city of Norwich, and, as a result, announced a change to the team name, which would include the Norwich name and a nickname to be chosen following a fan submission contest.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Konrad |first1=James |title=City, Tigers Agree to Long-term Lease, Changing Team's Name |url=https://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/20190329/city-tigers-agree-to-long-term-lease-changing-teams-name |access-date=13 May 2019 |location=[[Norwich, Connecticut]] |newspaper=[[The Bulletin (Norwich)|The Bulletin]] |date=March 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Putterman |first1=Alex |title=Seeking 'Hometown Focus,' Connecticut Tigers Solicits Fan Submissions for New Name |url=https://www.courant.com/sports/hc-sp-connecticut-tigers-baseball-team-new-name-rebrand-20190412-20190413-oou5t64zdrayzd3jkzm2vwnbfm-story.html |access-date=May 13, 2019 |newspaper=[[Hartford Courant]] |date=April 13, 2019}}</ref> The five finalists from the contest were "Norwich Golden Roses", "Norwich Mill Mules", "Norwich Narwals", "Norwich Salty Dogs", and "Norwich Sea Unicorns". Ultimately, the team settled on becoming the Norwich Sea Unicorns.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=Benjamin |title=Legends of the Deep: Sea Unicorns Emerge |url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/connecticut-tigers-rebrand-as-norwich-sea-unicorns/c-312063120 |access-date=December 5, 2019 |website=Minor League Baseball |date=December 5, 2019}}</ref>
The Connecticut Tigers name was only expected to be used for the 2010 season with a name-the-team contest expected to be held after the season to decide a permanent name. The team decided to keep the name, however, citing positive feedback from fans owing to the connection to the major league [[Detroit Tigers]], the team's [[Major League Baseball]] affiliate. Connecticut held on to the Tigers moniker through the end of the 2019 season. That season, the team renewed its long-term lease with the city of Norwich, and, as a result, announced a change to the team name, which would include the Norwich name and a nickname to be chosen following a fan submission contest.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Konrad |first1=James |title=City, Tigers Agree to Long-term Lease, Changing Team's Name |url=https://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/20190329/city-tigers-agree-to-long-term-lease-changing-teams-name |access-date=13 May 2019 |location=[[Norwich, Connecticut]] |newspaper=[[The Bulletin (Norwich)|The Bulletin]] |date=March 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Putterman |first1=Alex |title=Seeking 'Hometown Focus,' Connecticut Tigers Solicits Fan Submissions for New Name |url=https://www.courant.com/sports/hc-sp-connecticut-tigers-baseball-team-new-name-rebrand-20190412-20190413-oou5t64zdrayzd3jkzm2vwnbfm-story.html |access-date=May 13, 2019 |newspaper=[[Hartford Courant]] |date=April 13, 2019}}</ref> The five finalists from the contest were "Norwich Golden Roses", "Norwich Mill Mules", "Norwich Narwals", "Norwich Salty Dogs", and "Norwich Sea Unicorns". Ultimately, the team settled on becoming the Norwich Sea Unicorns.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=Benjamin |title=Legends of the Deep: Sea Unicorns Emerge |url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/connecticut-tigers-rebrand-as-norwich-sea-unicorns/c-312063120 |access-date=December 5, 2019 |website=Minor League Baseball |date=December 5, 2019}}</ref>


The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] before being cancelled on June 30.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Message From Pat O'Conner|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/message-from-minor-league-baseball-president-ceo-pat-o-conner-313052288|website=Minor League Baseball|date=March 13, 2020|access-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref><ref name=2020can>{{cite news |title=2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved|url=https://www.milb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-shelved|website=Minor League Baseball|date=June 30, 2020|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref> After the cancelled 2020 minor league season, [[Major League Baseball]] took direct control of [[Minor League Baseball]] and discontinued short-season play. The Sea Unicorns were not selected to continue in affiliated baseball. The team joined the [[Futures Collegiate Baseball League|FCBL]], a collegiate summer league in New England, for 2021. <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/sports/norwich-sea-unicorns-looking-at-options-after-affiliation-with-detroit-tigers-ends/2379996/|title=Norwich Sea Unicorns Looking at Options After Affiliation With Detroit Tigers Ends|website=[[WVIT|NBC Connecticut]] |date=December 10, 2020|access-date=December 10, 2020}}</ref> <ref>https://www.norwichbulletin.com/story/sports/2021/04/27/norwich-sea-unicorns-join-futures-league/4856071001/</ref>
The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] before being cancelled on June 30.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Message From Pat O'Conner|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/message-from-minor-league-baseball-president-ceo-pat-o-conner-313052288|website=Minor League Baseball|date=March 13, 2020|access-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref><ref name=2020can>{{cite news |title=2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved|url=https://www.milb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-shelved|website=Minor League Baseball|date=June 30, 2020|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref> After the cancelled 2020 minor league season, [[Major League Baseball]] took direct control of [[Minor League Baseball]] and discontinued short-season play. The Sea Unicorns were not selected to continue in affiliated baseball. The team joined the [[Futures Collegiate Baseball League]] (FCBL), a collegiate summer league in New England, for 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/sports/norwich-sea-unicorns-looking-at-options-after-affiliation-with-detroit-tigers-ends/2379996/|title=Norwich Sea Unicorns Looking at Options After Affiliation With Detroit Tigers Ends|website=[[WVIT|NBC Connecticut]] |date=December 10, 2020|access-date=December 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.norwichbulletin.com/story/sports/2021/04/27/norwich-sea-unicorns-join-futures-league/4856071001/ |title=Sea Unicorns join Futures League |website=[[The Bulletin (Norwich)|The Bulletin]] |location=[[Norwich, Connecticut]] |date=April 27, 2021}}</ref>


==Playoffs==
==Playoffs==
*2014: Lost to [[Tri-City ValleyCats|Tri-City]] 2–0 in semifinals
*2014 [[NY-Penn League]] Playoffs - Lost to [[Tri-City ValleyCats|Tri-City]] 2–0 in semifinals.
*2023 [[Futures Collegiate Baseball League|FCBL]] Playoffs - Defeated the [[New Britain Bees]] 2-1 in semifinals. Defeated the [[Vermont Lake Monsters]] in the championship game.
*2024 [[Futures Collegiate Baseball League|FCBL]] Playoffs - Defeated the [[Vermont Lake Monsters]] 2 games to 1 in the best-of-3 semifinals. Defeated the [[Westfield Starfires]] 2 games to none in the best-of-3 championship series.


==Roster==
==Roster==
{{Norwich Sea Unicorns roster}}
{{IndyLB roster
| TeamName = Norwich Sea Unicorns
⚫
| BC1 = #002e62
| BC2 = #ffd478
| FC1 = #ffffff
| FC2 = #002e62
| Date = May 26, 2021
| Pitchers =
{{MLBplayer|44|Ryan Ahern}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Bryan Albee}}
{{MLBplayer|&nbsp;7|Kalib Clark}}
{{MLBplayer|&nbsp;3|Gary Costello}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Connor Davey}}
{{MLBplayer|23|Spencer Fox}}
{{MLBplayer|&nbsp;4|Tommy Hughes}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Eddie Kafton}}
{{MLBplayer|19|Brad Lombardi}}
{{MLBplayer|22|Peter Phillips}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Randy Reyes}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Jayvien Sandridge}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Payton Sutman}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Cameron Varney}}
{{MLBplayer|—-|Vincenzo Camera}}

| Catchers =
{{MLBplayer|&nbsp;9|Colton Bender}}
{{MLBplayer|12|David Driscoll}}
{{MLBplayer|&nbsp;8|Thomas Keefe}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Matt Malcolm}}

| Infielders =
{{MLBplayer|--|Ian Battipaglia}}
{{MLBplayer|&nbsp;2|Noah Budzik}}
{{MLBplayer|--|John Chacho}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Kaelen Culpepper}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Tremayne Cobb}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Kyan Lodice}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Anthony Porrino}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Dean Slavin}}
{{MLBplayer|&nbsp;5|Gianni Zarrilli}}

| Outfielders =
{{MLBplayer|24|Andy Martin}}
{{MLBplayer|20|Bobby McBride}}
{{MLBplayer|--|John Mesagno}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Korey Morton}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Michael Torniero}}
{{MLBplayer|14|Tyler Wells}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Hunter Yaworski}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Jared Zimbardo}}

| manager =
{{MLBplayer|21|Devin Belenski}}

| Coaches =
{{MLBplayer|&nbsp;6|Christian Lalomia}} {{small|(assistant)}}
| 60DayDL =
}}


==See also==
==See also==
Line 52: Line 110:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Connecticut Tigers}}
{{Commons category|Norwich Sea Unicorns}}
* [https://www.milb.com/norwich Official website]
* [https://www.milb.com/norwich Official website]
* [http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100128&content_id=7989132&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp League press release announcing the move to Norwich]
* [http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100128&content_id=7989132&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp League press release announcing the move to Norwich]
Line 64: Line 122:
[[Category:Professional baseball teams in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Professional baseball teams in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Detroit Tigers minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Detroit Tigers minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Norwich, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Sports in Norwich, Connecticut|Sea Unicorns]]
[[Category:Former New York–Penn League teams]]
[[Category:New York–Penn League teams]]
[[Category:2010 establishments in Connecticut]]
[[Category:2010 establishments in Connecticut]]

Latest revision as of 13:10, 22 November 2024

Norwich Sea Unicorns
Information
LeagueFCBL (2021–present)
LocationNorwich, Connecticut (2010–present)
BallparkSenator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium (2010–present)
Founded2010
League championshipsFCBL: 2023, 2024
Former name(s)Connecticut Tigers (2010–2019)
Former league(s)New York–Penn League (2010–2020)
ColorsNavy, yellow, gold, gray, blue, white[1]
           
OwnershipMiles Prentice
General ManagerLee Walter Jr.
ManagerKevin Murphy
Websitegoseaunicorns.com

The Norwich Sea Unicorns are a baseball team located in Norwich, Connecticut. From 2010 to 2020, they were members of Minor League Baseball's New York–Penn League (NYPL) as the Class A Short Season affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They play their home games at Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium. They were previously known as the Connecticut Tigers from 2010 to 2019. With Major League Baseball's reorganization of the minor leagues after the 2020 season, Norwich was not selected to continue in affiliated baseball. Starting with the 2021 season, Norwich plays in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League.

History

[edit]
The unveiling of the team's original logo and uniforms at an April 1, 2010, press conference

On January 27, 2010, Oneonta, New York Mayor Dick Miller announced in a press release that the Oneonta Tigers would be leaving the city for Norwich, Connecticut, after the 2009 season. Beginning play in 2010, the Connecticut Tigers played their games in the newly renovated Dodd Stadium, which had been vacated by the Connecticut Defenders of the Eastern League who had left for Richmond, Virginia, to become the Richmond Flying Squirrels simultaneous to the Tigers' arrival.

In 2011, the Connecticut Tigers saw a 23% increase in total attendance and a 20% increase in average attendance over 2010 numbers. The 20% increase in average attendance was the fourth largest increase in all of Minor League Baseball.[2]

The Connecticut Tigers name was only expected to be used for the 2010 season with a name-the-team contest expected to be held after the season to decide a permanent name. The team decided to keep the name, however, citing positive feedback from fans owing to the connection to the major league Detroit Tigers, the team's Major League Baseball affiliate. Connecticut held on to the Tigers moniker through the end of the 2019 season. That season, the team renewed its long-term lease with the city of Norwich, and, as a result, announced a change to the team name, which would include the Norwich name and a nickname to be chosen following a fan submission contest.[3][4] The five finalists from the contest were "Norwich Golden Roses", "Norwich Mill Mules", "Norwich Narwals", "Norwich Salty Dogs", and "Norwich Sea Unicorns". Ultimately, the team settled on becoming the Norwich Sea Unicorns.[5]

The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before being cancelled on June 30.[6][7] After the cancelled 2020 minor league season, Major League Baseball took direct control of Minor League Baseball and discontinued short-season play. The Sea Unicorns were not selected to continue in affiliated baseball. The team joined the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL), a collegiate summer league in New England, for 2021.[8][9]

Playoffs

[edit]

Roster

[edit]
Norwich Sea Unicorns roster
Active roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 44 Ryan Ahern
  • -- Bryan Albee
  •  7 Kalib Clark
  •  3 Gary Costello
  • -- Connor Davey
  • 23 Spencer Fox
  •  4 Tommy Hughes
  • -- Eddie Kafton
  • 19 Brad Lombardi
  • 22 Peter Phillips
  • -- Randy Reyes
  • -- Jayvien Sandridge
  • -- Payton Sutman
  • -- Cameron Varney
  • —- Vincenzo Camera



  

Catchers

  •  9 Colton Bender
  • 12 David Driscoll
  •  8 Thomas Keefe
  • -- Matt Malcolm

Infielders

  • -- Ian Battipaglia
  •  2 Noah Budzik
  • -- John Chacho
  • -- Kaelen Culpepper
  • -- Tremayne Cobb
  • -- Kyan Lodice
  • -- Anthony Porrino
  • -- Dean Slavin
  •  5 Gianni Zarrilli

Outfielders

  • 24 Andy Martin
  • 20 Bobby McBride
  • -- John Mesagno
  • -- Korey Morton
  • -- Michael Torniero
  • 14 Tyler Wells
  • -- Hunter Yaworski
  • -- Jared Zimbardo
  

Manager

  • 21 Devin Belenski

Coaches

  •  6 Christian Lalomia (assistant)

Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

 updated May 26, 2021

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "New for 2020: Norwich Sea Unicorns". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  2. ^ Reichard, Kevin (September 12, 2011). "Crunching the 2011 Minor League Baseball Attendance Figures". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  3. ^ Konrad, James (March 29, 2019). "City, Tigers Agree to Long-term Lease, Changing Team's Name". The Bulletin. Norwich, Connecticut. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  4. ^ Putterman, Alex (April 13, 2019). "Seeking 'Hometown Focus,' Connecticut Tigers Solicits Fan Submissions for New Name". Hartford Courant. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  5. ^ Hill, Benjamin (December 5, 2019). "Legends of the Deep: Sea Unicorns Emerge". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  6. ^ "A Message From Pat O'Conner". Minor League Baseball. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  7. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  8. ^ "Norwich Sea Unicorns Looking at Options After Affiliation With Detroit Tigers Ends". NBC Connecticut. December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  9. ^ "Sea Unicorns join Futures League". The Bulletin. Norwich, Connecticut. April 27, 2021.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Norwich Sea Unicorns.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Norwich_Sea_Unicorns&oldid=1258937180"