The Hartford Yard Goats baseball team’s first home games will be in Norwich, rather than Hartford, through the month of May.
The Yard Goats’ home park, Dunkin’ Donuts Park, was supposed to be finished as of May 17, but the team’s first nine home games will now be at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, according to a news release issued on Thursday morning.
“This announcement by the Eastern League, which was expected due to the stadium construction delays, will give the Yard Goats Players and Coaching Staff the opportunity to get home from the 37 day road trip and get settled in Hartford as we prepare for opening day at Dunkin’ Donuts Park,” Yard Goats General Manager Tim Restall said in a statement.
The announcement comes days after the stadium authority raised some concern over the park being completed by May 17, like developers promised.
The Connecticut Tigers play at Dodd Stadium and released a statement.
"We’re very pleased to be able to assist our fellow Connecticut team and bring extra excitement to Dodd Stadium for baseball fans in Southeastern Connecticut this spring,” Tigers General Manager Dave Schermerhorn said in a statement. "This market is no stranger to Double-A baseball and we think it’s the perfect way for our fans to get ready for the start of the Tigers’ season in June."
Yard Goats season ticket holders will be allowed to attend all of the games in Norwich with complementary tickets, courtesy of the Yard Goats, a statement from the team says.
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All other ticket sales will be handed by the Dodd Stadium box office.
The team will host the New Hampshire Fisher Cats from May 12 through May 15, the Akron Rubber Ducks from May 16 through May 18.
Then they will host to the Bowie BaySox for a three-game in two day series on May 23 and a double-header on May 24.
The Eastern League has also made some changes to the Yard Goats schedule for the month of May. The game on Tuesday, May 24 will now be a double-header beginning at 4:05 p.m. so the May 25 game is cancelled.
The Thursday, May 26 game has been moved to a day/night separate admission double-header to be played at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 1:35 p.m. and 7:05 p.m.
The Eastern League will continue to monitor the situation and will make further decisions regarding the Hartford schedule as additional information becomes available regarding the availability of Dunkin’ Donuts Park.
Following is Yard Goats schedule at Dodd Stadium
- Thursday, May 12 vs New Hampshire 6:05 p.m.
- Friday, May 13 vs New Hampshire 6:05 p.m.
- Saturday, May 14 vs New Hampshire 6:05 p.m.
- Sunday, May 15 vs New Hampshire 1:35 p.m.
- Monday, May 16 vs Akron 6:05 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 17 vs Akron 6:05 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 18 vs Akron 12:35 p.m.
- Monday, May 23 vs Bowie 6:05 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 24 vs Bowie 4:05 p.m.
