![]() I did so in part because baseball and fast pitch softball had been such an integral part of my life and I dearly wanted to marry my passionate avocation with a real-life vocation. When I was asked to invest in the team over 20 years ago, I said ‘yes’ when dozens of other potential investors said “no”. I readily admit that it is hard for me to be objective about such a move. Since it was announced last week that the City of Bridgeport may agree to a deal to convert the ballpark into a permanent amphitheater, I have been inundated with queries about how I feel about the Bluefish most likely leaving town to relocate to another city outside of Connecticut. My executive assistant, Diane Coniglio, came with me (from PHS) and a whole new chapter in my life began. Even though I had moved to this area 20 years earlier, I had never actually worked in Bridgeport until I decided midway through our first season in 1998 to move my office from Trumbull into the Ballpark at Most of you know I decided to be the major investor in the Bridgeport Bluefish when the team was founded in 1996, and so began a decade of my life when I was absorbed, even transfixed, by this professional baseball team that became such an integral part of our region during that period. Quarterly Review of Economic Development.Government Relations & Legislative Resources. ![]() 2022 Holiday Dinner & Leadership Awards.Leads Group & Business Referral Network.Bridgeport Economic Development Corporation.“We’ve enjoyed 20 years of successful entertainment with Bluefish Baseball and all that the Bluefish and owner, Frank Bolton have done for our community,” said Ganim. Among Bridgeport’s top MLB alumni are Jose Offerman, Willy Mo Pena and Adam Greenberg. The embattled Jose Canseco visited Bridgeport as a member of the Newark Bears. Later that season, the Bluefish became the first team to offer a contract to former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, when the football star controversially announced plans to pursue a career in professional baseball.Ī deep list of major leaguers also took the field at Harbor Yard. In 2016, USA softball star Jennie Finch became the first woman to manage a professional baseball team when she led the Bluefish to a 3-1 victory over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on May 29, 2016. The infamous Pete Rose, banned from Major League Baseball for allegedly gambling on games, served as a guest manager in 2014. In recent seasons, the team grabbed national headlines on several occasions. However George Estrada, vice president of facilities at the University of Bridgeport, which leases the park from the Bluefish for college baseball games, told the Post the team “struggled” to be successful. "While we are disappointed the City decided to turn the ballpark into a 29-date concert venue, we wish them the best of luck, and we hope that all Bluefish fans will come out to support their first-place team as they drive towards a championship."įrom a competitive standpoint, the team won five division championships and one league championship. "We are proud of the 20-year run the Bridgeport Bluefish have had," said Bluefish principal owner Frank Boulton in a statement. It’s celebrating its 20th season at the ballpark and is also in first place in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball’s Liberty Division. The news of the team’s demise comes during a historic season. “Live Nation is a nationally owned company that will be able to bring entertainment to be enjoyed by Bridgeport and surrounding towns throughout Connecticut.” Making a Splash “This is an exciting opportunity to further enhance what is happening in Bridgeport’s downtown,” said Office of Planning and Economic Development director Thomas Gill in a statement. The plans for the venue are set to be announced Thursday during a press conference to present the new corporation and the plans for its redevelopment.
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