Pittsfield Suns Exceed Expectations, Will Return in 2013

City and team officials agree the future looks bright for the summer collegiate Pittsfield Suns (Futures Collegiate Baseball League).  The team exceeded expectations “across the board,” according to Jeff Goldklang, managing director of the Goldklang Group, which owns the team.  Suns GM/coach Jamie Keefe, who also worked for the defunct indy pro Pittsfield Colonials (Can-Am League), says the ownership

Goldklang Group Ramping Up Pittsfield

The Goldklang Group is ramping up its new team in Pittsfield (MA) from the second-year Futures Collegiate Baseball League.  The group is seeking permission from the city to place a temporary trailer outside historic Wahconah Park to to have office space right on site.  This is a good idea.  The team’s new branding and general manager, rumored to be now-defunct Pittsfield Colonials (Can-Am

City Issues Baseball RFP

The City of Pittsfield issued a request for proposal (RFP) on Monday asking parties interested in bringing a team to historic Wahconah Park to submit a proposal.  The city is looking to replace the now-defunct indy pro Pittsfield Colonials after the Can-Am League revoked the team’s membership over financial woes.  Read more here.

League Revokes Colonials’ Membership

The indy pro Pittsfield (MA) Colonials are no more.  Team owners voted to revoke the Colonials’ membership in the Can-Am League during league meetings in Newark (NJ) on Monday.  Expect a team from the summer collegiate New England Collegiate Baseball League or Futures Collegiate Baseball League to fill the void at Wahconah Park next season.  Read more here.

Old Orchard Beach Team Headed to Pittsfield?

After one season at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach (ME), it appears the summer collegiate Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide (NECBL) might be headed to Pittsfield (MA).  A group in Pittsfield is reportedly in negotiations to buy the team.  This would appear to finalize the demise of the indy pro Pittsfield Colonials (Can-Am League).  Read more here and here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the links.

Colonials For Sale

No surprise here, but Buddy Lewis, owner of the indy pro Pittsfield Colonials (Can-Am League), is trying to sell his team to stop the financial bleeding and pay outstanding debts.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Colonials Vacate Downtown Office, Storefront

The indy pro Pittsfield Colonials (Can-Am League) have moved out of their downtown office and storefront space at the Crowne Plaza complex on the corner of South and West streets.  Owner Buddy Lewis says this shouldn’t be taken as a sign that the team is done.  The club was paying $3,000 a month to lease the space.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Colonials Forced to Take Playoff Show on the Road

Attendance has been dismal for the indy pro Pittsfield Colonials (Can-Am League) at Wahconah Park, so the team and the league have decided to put the Colonials on the road for the playoffs.  This is likely great news for the players, which are slated to receive $2 from every playoff ticket sold.  What does this mean for the future of pro

ESPN’s Steve Berthiaume On the Pittsfield Colonials

As MLB’s midsummer classic took center stage, ESPN’s Steve Berthiaume took a close look at the indy pro Can-Am League’s Pittsfield Colonials and Wahconah Park, the team’s historic home.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Commissioner Wants Colonials to Remain in Pittsfield, Trois Rivieres on Deck

Can-Am League Commissioner Miles Wolff would like to see the Pittsfield (MA) Colonials stay in Pittsfield and expressed a desire to help owner Buddy Lewis any way possible to make it happen.  On another note, Trois Rivieres (QC) could be finalized for 2012 as early as next month.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Colonials Promise to Stay in Pittsfield (for 2011 Season)

At a press conference on Thursday, Pittsfield Colonials owner Buddy Lewis promised to keep the Can-Am League team operating at Wahconah Park during the rest of this season.  He made no guarantees for next year, but a promise is a promise for 2011…right?  Read more here and here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the links.

Colonials Press Conference at 3:00 p.m.

The indy pro Can-Am League’s Pittsfield (MA) Colonials have reportedly called a press conference scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Eastern at Wahconah Park  to discuss the future of the franchise.  Read more here.  Thanks to Chris Scanlon for the heads up.

Colonials Done in Pittsfield in Two Weeks?

Pittsfield (MA) Colonials principal owner Buddy Lewis said on Friday that unless he can raise $200,000 by the end of the month to cover the team’s expenses, he may be forced to fold the club or relocate it.  The Colonials are plagued by low attendance again this season, and it doesn’t appear that Lewis can stomach or afford to lose any more

A Minor League Baseball Tour Around New England

Boston Globe correspondent Christopher Klein takes a look at the 10 minor league ballparks/teams in New England that you should check out this summer.  Read more and view photos here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the story.

Assisted Living Facility Home Sweet Home for Players

PRESS RELEASE – The residents of The Village at Laurel Lake are looking forward to welcoming some special house guests from the Pittsfield Colonials.

Petition to Rename Wahconah Park

A petition is being circulated to rename historic Wahconah Park after former city council member and Pittsfield Red Sox pitcher Paul Dowd.  The proposed name would be “Paul Dowd Field at Wahconah Park.”  Dowd, who has been battling Lou Gehrig’s Disease the past two years, has been very active in the Pittsfield community and a big supporter and fundraiser for the Berkshire County Jimmy Fund.  Read more here.

Colonials Renew Agreement with Can-Am League, New Markets on Deck

The Pittsfield (MA) Colonials have renewed their franchise affiliation agreement with the indy pro Can-Am League for the next three years.  This does not guarantee that the franchise remains in Pittsfield, but the ownership has expressed a commitment to the market.  In other Can-Am news, the league heard presentations from groups representing Ramapo (NY), Newark (NJ), and Trois Rivieres (QC) at the

Colonials to Seek Local Investors

The owners of the Can-Am League’s Pittsfield (MA) Colonials are expected to form a new LLC that would allow local investors to own a piece of the club through a private placement offering.  The capital raised would be used to pay off debt and ensure the team stays in Pittsfield for the long haul.  If locals join, co-owners

Struggling for Credibility in Pittsfield

It’s no surprise that the Can-Am League’s inaugural Pittsfield Colonials are having a tough time at the gate with less than 800 fans per game.  The market has been polluted over the years, and the Colonials are definitely going to have to muscle through a few tough seasons to earn the trust of the

Colonials Debut in Front of 3,223

The Pittsfield (MA) Colonials, the newest team from the indy pro Can-Am League, defeated the New Jersey Jackals 3-0 in their inaugural home debut on Memorial Day in front of 3,223 fans at historic Wahconah Park.  Read more here.  The former American Defenders of New Hampshire relocated from Nashua (NH) to Pittsfield after financial troubles ran the franchise into the ditch.  The team is now under new ownership.

Pittsfield Colonials to Play Exhibition Game in Springfield

PRESS RELEASE – On Friday, the Pittsfield Colonials of the Can-Am League added an exhibition game to their schedule on Monday May 24, at historic Walker Grandstand at Forest Park in Springfield, Mass., at 4 p.m.

Colonials Unveil Vintage Unis for “Turn Back the Century Season”

PRESS RELEASE – The Pittsfield Colonials of the Can-Am League announced on Friday that the club will wear turn-of-the-20th-century “vintage” baseball uniforms for the 2010 season.

Pittsfield Colonials Under New Ownership

Boston Baseball All-Stars LLC no longer owns the Can-Am League’s Pittsfield (MA) Colonials.  The new ownership group, Pittsfield Colonials Baseball Club LLC, is made of  Leslie “Buddy” Lewis, former chair of Boston Baseball All-Stars LLC, and newcomer Robert E. Seaman III.  Seaman is a New York City attorney and businessman who owns a piece of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders.  Dan Duquette

It’s the ‘Pittsfield Colonials’

As we suspected back on March 5, the new name for the relocated American Defenders of New Hampshire is the Pittsfield Colonials.  A temporary website for the franchise has also been launched at www.pittsfieldcolonials.com.