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It's official: Defenders are moving southBy Claire Bessette Published on 9/23/2009Norwich – The Eastern League made the official announcement this morning in Richmond, Va., that the Connecticut Defenders are moving to that city next spring.The long-anticipated announcement at The Diamond stadium in Richmond ended months of speculation, false starts and behind-the-scenes negotiations. One deal to sell the team to a Richmond business group fell through, and then it took several months for a plan by the current owners to move the team to Richmond to be consummated and approved by minor league baseball officials.Defenders owner Lou DiBella thanked the Norwich fans for supporting the team this year under its “lame duck” status, but said advertising sponsorship dropped sharply since the first word of the move surfaced back in February.As the Defenders plan to vacate the Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium, efforts are under way to move a lower-level Class A minor league baseball team to Norwich. Officials involved in that proposal cannot comment on specifics, but sources say at least two teams from the New York-Penn League – the Vermont Lake Monsters and the Jamestown Jammers – are interested in moving to Norwich.At the same time as the press conference, Defenders attorney Glenn Carberry hand-delivered a letter to Norwich City Manager Alan Bergren officially notifying the city that the team plans to leave early. The team lease ran through 2012, but allowed an early buy-out at the end of this year, with a $140,000 early departure penalty.Bergren said this morning that city and team officials need to review final bills and reimbursements to the team for such items as police coverage and utilities before making financial settlements with the team.
That, and if the Lake Monsters move to CT, that's a win for the Nats' regionalization efforts.However, I like the Harrisburg affiliation because it sends Angelos through the roof (he thinks he owns south-central PA).
plus, you are there, right?sorry dude, I'd be willing to concede Harrisburg to Angelos in exchange for Richmond. or Bowie.
So what level is this team? AA?
yes. they play in the Eastern League, same as Harrisburg Hagersburg and Bowie.
Fixed.Create a DTism for Richmond. Go.
Chief, we'll have to do a WNFF meet up at one of the games next year.
Linty, what inspired this sudden urge to socialize with your fellow wnffers, in a completely off-topic way? Inspired by Blue's graphic nuts stomping visual? Well, I've socialized with Blue, and you better bring extra money.
I think it's because they both live in Richbridge , but if you want to ascribe it to genital torture, I'll let you run with it.
Great looking logo.
New logo and web site for the Richmond Flying Squirrelshttp://www.squirrelsbaseball.com/
Opponents better watch their nuts.
BullwinkleThis would be a great logo(Image removed from quote.)