Hartford Yard Goats Named 2019 Moss Award Winner

PRESS RELEASE – Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced the Hartford Yard Goats as the recipient of the 2019 John Henry Moss Community Service Award for demonstrating outstanding, ongoing commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within its local community and within the baseball industry. The Yard Goats will receive the award on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront during the Baseball Winter Meetings Banquet. Created in 2013 by Minor League Baseball, the award honors the late John Henry Moss, who founded what would become the South Atlantic League in 1959 and led the league as its president until 2007.

Hartford Ballpark Trial Starts Wednesday

A bitter lawsuit between the City of Hartford (CT) and the fired former developer of Dunkin’ Donuts Park is coming to a head. The trial between the city and Centerplan Construction starts Wednesday.  Read more here and here.

No More Peanuts, Cracker Jacks at Dunkin’ Donuts Park

PRESS RELEASE – The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League Affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced it will no longer sell shelled peanuts and Cracker Jack at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in an effort to make the venue more accessible for those with peanut and tree nut allergies.

Signage Change Coming at Dunkin’ Donuts Park?

The classic signage atop Dunkin’ Donuts Park, home of the Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Eastern League), that sold out more than two-thirds of its games last season, is in doubt as the coffee giant announced Tuesday it is dropping the word “Donuts” from its logo. What that means for the ballpark’s namesake is still unclear.  Read more here.

Yard Goats to Open ‘Links at the Yard’

The Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Eastern League) have announced they will host a four-day golf event at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, called “Links at the Yard,” from September 27-30.  Read more here.  Get details here.

Yard Goats to Play as ‘Steamed Cheeseburgers’ for One Game

The Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Eastern League) will play one game as the Hartford Steamed Cheeseburgers this season to pay homage to the steamed burger that is claimed to have been invented in Connecticut.

Yard Goats will play one game as the Hartford Steamed Cheeseburgers this season. In homage to the steamed cheeseburger which was invented in Connecticut. pic.twitter.com/qXxjj85M0l

— Hartford Yard Goats (@GoYardGoats) February 8, 2018

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Centerplan Construction Alleges Tortious Interference by Yard Goats

An attorney for Centerplan Construction Co. has claimed in court that representatives of the Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Eastern League) pressured the city of Hartford (CT) into ordering millions of dollars in improvements to Dunkin’ Donuts Park that it couldn’t afford and the team had no intention of paying for.  Read more here.

Hartford Seeking New Proposals for Ballpark Area Development

The city of Hartford (CT) is moving swiftly to seek new proposals for the property around Dunkin’ Donuts Park, just weeks after it fired the original developer of the ballpark from other projects in the Downtown North neighborhood.  Read more here.

Hartford Drops Centerplan and DoNo as Ballpark Area Developers

The city of Hartford (CT) says it has filed a counterclaim against the one-time developers of the city’s minor league baseball stadium and ended an agreement with them to develop the surrounding area.  Read more here.

Pondering Triple-A Ball in Hartford

The Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) are, for the moment, free agents. And here sits Hartford (CT) with a gleaming new downtown stadium.  Read more here.

Hartford Racks Up Legal Bills, On-Hold ‘DoNo’ Development Driving Up Costs

Since 2016, the city of Hartford (CT) has paid attorneys more than $370,000 to handle lawsuits associated with the construction of Dunkin Donuts Park, home of the Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Eastern League).  Meanwhile the “DoNo” development that was expected to help pay down the bond interest remains on hold until the legal issues are resolved.  Read more and watch news report here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Dunkin’ Donuts Park (Hartford, CT)

Joe Mock from BaseballParks.com recently visited Dunkin’ Donuts Park, the long-awaited new home of the Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Eastern League) in Hartford (CT).  Mock’s in-depth review weighs in at a whopping 7,500-words and four-dozen photographs covering everything from ballpark design to fan amenities and concessions.  Read more and view photos here.

Yard Goats Open New Ballpark in Front of 6,850

After two years of construction, two canceled opening days, $10 million in cost overruns, an ongoing lawsuit against the city and an entire season played on the road, Dunkin’ Donuts Park has opened with the Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Eastern League) first-ever game in the capital city.  Read more here.  View photo gallery here.  View more photos here.

Standing Room Only for Tonight’s Inaugural Home Opener at Dunkin’ Donuts Park

Earlier this week during a breakfast with corporate and civic leaders at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, Hartford (CT) Mayor Luke Bronin quipped that he couldn’t help anyone who needed tickets to Thursday’s sold out Hartford Yard Goats home opener.  Read more here. Read more home opener thoughts here.

Despite Hartford’s Ballpark Woes, Collateral DoNo Redevelopment Coming

Hartford’s shiny new minor league ballpark has dramatically transformed what for decades was a just barren stretch of land north of downtown. But the bigger prize is the redevelopment of the land around Dunkin’ Donuts Park into an urban neighborhood.  Read more here.

Former Developers of Hartford Ballpark Seeking $90 Million

Centerplan Construction Co. and DoNo Hartford, the former developers of Dunkin’ Donuts Park, have amended a lawsuit against the city of Hartford (CT) and are now seeking more than $90 million.  Read more here.

FBI Investigating Hartford Ballpark Project

The FBI is launching an investigation into the Dunkin Donuts Park project, and it appears the city of Hartford’s information-sharing spurred the action.  Read more here.

Yard Goats Partner with The Latino Way to Promote Initiatives in Spanish

PRESS RELEASE – The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, has announced a partnership with The Latino Way; a marketing and media group specializing in Hispanic marketing, advertising and publishing.

Bank Sues Former Developer of Yard Goats Ballpark

Waterbury (CT)-based Webster Bank is suing Centerplan Construction Co., the former builder of Dunkin’ Donuts Park, for allegedly partially defaulting on three separate loans totaling more than $10.2 million.  Read more here.

Final Concourse Piece Installed at Dunkin’ Donuts Park

The final piece of the concourse at Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford was placed on Friday at the stadium.  Construction crews with Whiting-Turner were seen using a crane to place the bridge, which connects left field to center field. It was a gaping hole left behind when the city fired the old developer.  Read more and watch news report here.

Arch Insurance Confirms Yard Goats Yard Will Open April 13

Dunkin’ Donuts Park is on target to open April 13 , 2017 for the Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Eastern League) inaugural home opener, according to officials charged with completing the much-delayed project.  Read more here.

Dunkin’ Donuts Progress Report Delayed One Week, But Opening Still Set for April 13

The Hartford Stadium Authority on Tuesday postponed for one week its progress report on Dunkin’ Donuts Park.  But Sean Fitzpatrick, executive director of the authority and director of development services for the city, said the worst-case scenario would see an opening day April 13 with the barbecue pit area in left field and an adjacent ramp unavailable until April 19.  Read more here.

Former Ballpark Developer, City Headed Toward Dispute Mediation

The former developer of Dunkin’ Donuts Park and the city of Hartford may come together to resolve their dispute via mediation as work at the $71 million, publicly financed stadium has resumed under a different firm.  Read more here.

Insurance Company Officially Takes Over Construction of Hartford Baseball Stadium Project

The City of Hartford (CT) has officially signed a deal with Arch Insurance for it to take over construction and management of Dunkin’ Donuts Park, the future home of the Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Eastern League).  Read more here

Centerplan Files Motion to Stop Ballpark Construction Restart

Centerplan Construction, the original general contractor and developer of Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford (CT), is looking to put the brakes on future construction at the stadium.  Read more and watch news report here.

New Contractor Chosen, Work to Resume Next Week on Yard Goats Home

A new contractor has been chosen to finish Dunkin’ Donuts Park, and work is expected to resume next week.  The Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Eastern League) are scheduled to play their first game in the new park on April 13, 2017, after spending their inaugural season on the road because of construction delays and cost overruns.  Read more here.

Eastern League Prez Issues Hartford Ultimatum

Eastern League President Joe McEachern on Thursday raised the possibility that the league will move its team from Hartford (CT)  if Dunkin’ Donuts Park is not ready for the 2017 season.  Read more here.  Now, we have no doubt that affiliated minor league ball will be in Hartford (CT), even if it takes five years to finish Dunkin’ Donuts Park, but we get the need to drive the screws.

Work to Complete Dunkin’ Donuts Park Could Resume this Week

The city of Hartford (CT) Tuesday said it has agreed to pay the architect for Dunkin’ Donuts Park more than $245,000 for work previously done on the minor league baseball stadium, clearing the way for the company to resume operations on the long-stalled project.  Read more here.

Fired Ballpark Developer Sues Goats Too

The fired developers of Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford (CT) are suing the owner of the team that is someday expected to play its home games there, alleging interference with contractual relationships and violation of state unfair trade practices.  Read more here.

Dunkin’ Donuts Park Won’t Debut in 2016

It seems insane that a new ballpark that was so close to completion in May won’t open at all this season, but that is exactly how it will go down for Dunkin’ Donuts Park and the homeless Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Eastern League).  Read more here and here.

Fired Hartford Ballpark Developers File Lawsuit to Get Job Back

DoNo Hartford and Centerplan Construction Co., the former developers of the stalled minor league ballpark downtown, are seeking a court injunction to reverse their termination.  Read more here.

Developer Fires Back at Mayor for Dismissing Offer to Finish Ballpark

The head of Centerplan Cos. on Wednesday said Mayor Luke Bronin‘s administration showed its “inexperience” when responding dismissively to his offer to finish the ballpark.  Read more here.

Hartford Mayor Dismisses Proposal from Former Ballpark Developers

Hartford (CT) Mayor Luke Bronin said Tuesday that a settlement proposal from the former developers of Dunkin’ Donuts Park was nothing more than “posturing” and that it did not warrant serious consideration.  Read more here.

Former Developers Offer to Complete Dunkin’ Donuts Park and Eat Cost, Unless Court Says Otherwise

The former developers of Dunkin’ Donuts Park are offering to complete construction of the stadium and pay for the cost, which they estimate to be “in the millions.”  However, under the offer, the developers would reserve their rights to recoup the cost in court.  Read more here.

After Lapse, Hartford Ballpark Now Insured Again

Hartford’s $63 million minor league ballpark — standing unfinished just north of downtown — is now covered by a property insurance policy, the mayor said Monday.  Read more here.

Doh! No Insurance for Hartford Ballpark

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said Thursday the city is moving swiftly to secure property insurance for Hartford’s $63 million ballpark — a day after city auditors disclosed that coverage ended when the contract with the developer was terminated.  Read more here.

Dunkin’ Donuts Park: Centerplan Construction CEO Issues Statement

Terminating Centerplan Cos. from the development of Hartford’s Dunkin’ Donuts Park — with merely weeks to go before completion — because deadlines needed to be extended was reckless, extremely short-sighted and indicative of a newly elected city administration without any experience in public office.  Read more here.

Stadium Authority Drops Hammer on Hartford Ballpark Developer

The Hartford Stadium Authority is terminating its contract with the developers of Dunkin’ Donuts Park, halting construction and casting doubt on whether the Yard Goats will play in the city’s $63 million minor league ballpark this season.  Read more here.

Parties Meet, But No Timetable Disclosed for Ballpark’s Completion

After the nearly two-hour closed-door meeting at city hall, both Mayor Luke Bronin and Jason Rudnick, president of Centerplan and principal with DoNo Hartford LLC, spoke of working together to reach the common goal of seeing $63-million Dunkin’ Donuts Park finished and soon.  They provided no details of when that might be.  Read more here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Dunkin’ Donuts Park (Hartford, CT)

Joe Mock from BaseballParks.com recently dropped by the yet-to-be-completed Dunkin’ Donuts Park, the future home of the indefinitely road-bound Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Eastern League).  Read more and view photos here.