Atlantic League likely to take over RockCats’ place in 2016

The New Britain RockCats will be gone after the 2015 season. They will continue in a new city under a new moniker: the Hartford Yard Goats.

With the RockCats leaving a void and an empty stadium, the independent Atlantic League has explored the possibility of becoming the new tennant of New Britain’s stadium. The only hurdle that has to be taken is successful lease negotiations, sign off by New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and the New Britain Common Council, and the Atlantic League Board of Directors.

If the Atlantic League succeeds in hammering out a stadium lease deal, the next question is “Which team will be playing in New Britain?” Right now the league has eight teams with solid support in the Somerset Patriots, Bridgeport Blue Fish, Long Island Ducks, Lancaster Barnstormers, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Sugarland Skeeters, Camden Riversharks and the York Revolution. So moving one of these teams probably will not be an option even though some teams have had some issues in recent years. Another possibility is to expand the league. But with one team added, another (road) team is needed and nobody is really a fan of that. Besides that, to add a new team to the league will need a lot of things to take care of and to prepare.

If the league can deal with all the upcoming problems, it would be nice for the baseball fans in New Britain to have a team back in 2016. But with the Hartford Yard Goats only 12 miles away from New Britain, it remains to be seen if the Atlantic League team can compete with affiliated ball almost next doors.

Pending a final vote in the city council indy ball may be introduced in New Britain next year. But to me it seems wise to skip the 2016 season and start a new team in 2017 after a thorough preparation.