New Britain Bees

New Britain Bees
Team logo Cap insignia
Information
League Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (Liberty Division)
Location New Britain, Connecticut
Ballpark New Britain Stadium
Year founded 2015
League championships 0
Division championships 0
Colors Black, gold, white
              
Mascot Sting
Retired numbers 42
Ownership Anthony Iacovone
Manager Wally Backman
General Manager Brad Smith
Media New Britain Herald
Website nbbees.com

The New Britain Bees are an American professional baseball team based in New Britain, Connecticut. They are a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Beginning in the 2016 season, the Bees have played their home games at New Britain Stadium. They succeed the New Britain Rock Cats, who played in the Eastern League before moving to Dunkin' Donuts Park in nearby Hartford for the 2016 season, becoming the Hartford Yard Goats.

The "Bees" name alludes to Beehive Field, an older baseball park which stands next to New Britain Stadium. The civic motto of New Britain suggests, "Industry fills the hive and enjoys the honey." Additionally, the civic emblem and flag incorporate a beehive as a symbol of industriousness. New Britain’s official nickname is the "Hardware City," referring to its industrial heritage – namely as the headquarters of Stanley Black & Decker. The former Rock Cats club, both with the "Hardware City" and "New Britain" monikers, also drew its name from manufacturing.[1]

Logo and colors

The New Britain Bees colors are black, gold, and white. The primary logo features the "Bees" wordmark in a Roman font with a metallurgy-inspired serifs. The gold outline surrounding each letter alludes to honey, complete with a stylized beehive.[2]

History

On October 21, 2015, the Camden Riversharks announced they would cease operations immediately due to the inability to reach an agreement on lease terms with the owner of Campbell's Field, the Camden County Improvement Authority.[3][4] The Riversharks franchise became inactive, and a brand new franchise was awarded to the City of New Britain. The new team became the New Britain Bees.[5]

On November 6, 2015, The Bees got their nickname. "Bees" was chosen after a community fan vote with a local newspaper. The other name finalists were "Hammers", "Hard-Hitters", "Stingers" and "Hornets".[6]

On December 8, 2015, The Bees announced Patrick Day as the first General Manager in franchise history.[7] Day joined the Bees after previously serving as the General Manager of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.

On December 16, 2015, Stan Cliburn was named the first manager of the team, he had previously served as manager for the New Britain Rock Cats.[8]

On January 10, 2017, The team announced that Patrick Day would step down as General Manager to pursue another job opportunity with the Fresno Grizzlies. Gerry Berthiaume was named as his replacement.[9] Berthiaume had previously been involved with professional baseball in New Britain, as he served as General Manager of the New Britain Red Sox and New Britain Rock Cats.

Just a week before the opener of their second season, it was announced that the Bees majority ownership was sold to a group led by Anthony Iacovone.[10] Iacovone is the chief executive officer of the digital advertising technology company AdTheorent. Frank Boulton and his group continue to be connected with the club as minority owners.

On September 27, 2017, The Bees announce yet another new General Manager, the third in three seasons, as Gerry Berthiaume announced his retirement from professional baseball after only one season with the Bees. Brad Smith was named the new GM after serving as the Vice President of Business Development for both the Bees and Bridgeport Bluefish.[11] Smith's baseball experience dates to 1995 as a concessions intern with the Chattanooga Lookouts, working his way into a president/GM/ownership role from 2005-2015 with the Kannapolis Intimidators. While with Kannapolis, Smith negotiated the team's stadium lease and naming rights, as well as managed the day-to-day operations of the team and facility. He also has experience as the owner and president of the Wilmington Sharks, a summer collegiate team in the Coastal Plain League from 2014 to 2016.

On November 17, 2017, it was announced that former New York Mets second baseman Wally Backman would become the second Field Manager in franchise history, replacing Stan Cliburn.[12]

Notable current/former players

Former major-leaguers who have played for the Bees include: Cole Garner (2016), Greg Golson (2016), Eric Fornataro (2016-2017), Nick Greenwood (2016-2017), Josh Outman (2016, 2018-present), Scott Patterson (2016), Josh Zeid (2016), Joe Beimel (2017), Casey Coleman (2017-present), Brandon League (2017), Jonathan Pettibone (2017-present), Sammy Gervacio (2018-present), Manny Delcarmen (2018), Zach Stewart (2018-present), Mark Hamburger (2018-present), Darrell Ceciliani (2018-present), Reid Brignac (2018-present), Andy Van Hekken (2018-present).

Season-by-season records

New Britain Bees (2016-present)
Season Total Finished Playoffs
201671-69.507Did not qualify for playoffs
201758-81.417Did not qualify for playoffs
201861-65.484Did not qualify for playoffs
Totals190-213.472Totals

Current roster

New Britain Bees roster
Active (25-man) roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  

Catchers

  •  3 James Skelton
  •  7 Ryan Wagner

Infielders

Outfielders

  

Manager

Coaches

Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

Roster updated October 9, 2018
Transactions

References

  1. ↑ "It's the 'New Britain Bees'". Ballpark Business. 5 Nov 2015. Retrieved 6 Nov 2015.
  2. ↑ "It's the 'New Britain Bees'". Ballpark Business. 5 Nov 2015. Retrieved 6 Nov 2015.
  3. ↑ "Farewell Fans". September 21, 2015. Archived from the original on October 23, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Atlantic League Of Professional Baseball". September 21, 2015.
  5. ↑ Don Stacom (October 22, 2015). "Atlantic League Baseball: Camden Is Out, New Britain Is In". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ [http://nbbees.com/team/news/index.html?article_id=9
  8. ↑ Former Rock Cats manager Cliburn selected to be Bees’ first skipper
  9. ↑ [https://ballparkdigest.com/2017/01/10/gerry-berthiaume-named-new-britain-bees-gm/
  10. ↑ [http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-new-britain-bees-ownership-20170417-story.html
  11. ↑ [http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/20170927/NEWS01/170929941/new-britain-bees-name-new-gm
  12. ↑ [http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/wally-backman-hired-manager-independent-new-britain-bees-article-1.3637638
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