"A Virginia businessman has submitted an application with Minor League Baseball to purchase and relocate the Norwich-based Connecticut Defenders to Richmond, Va., according to a published report.

Expectations are the sale will be completed before Opening Day in April with the new ownership group, led by Bryan Bostic, running the team at Dodd Stadium this season. The Defenders would move to Richmond in time for the 2010 season.

"I'm not allowed to say any level, any team, any city, any affiliation," Bostic told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "That day, we believe, is coming."

When reached, Defenders owner Lou DiBella had no comment on a sale or relocation. It is believed the sale price of the team is in the $15 million to $17 million range.

Neither a sale nor relocation would change the team’s major league affiliation with the San Francisco Giants, which was renewed last fall through the 2011 season.

Once the parties strike a deal, it must be approved by the Eastern league, Minor League Baseball and then Major League Baseball. Eastern League President Joe McEacharn wouldn’t deny that an application from Bostic is in the works, only saying that nothing has reached his desk for approval.

Generally, Minor League Baseball does not like transactions of this magnitude to go on once the season begins. Much like DiBella’s purchase of the team prior to the 2005 season, this could come down to the wire.

Once a shoe-in to draw over 240,000 fans a year as a New York Yankees affiliate, the team has fallen on hard times at the turnstile. Five consecutive non-playoff seasons and a disconnect with its major-league affiliate, attendance dropped precipitously after the then-Norwich Navigators hooked up with the San Francisco Giants. Only until recently has attendance taken an upswing. The team topped 200,000 fans in 2008.

A hurdle in Bostic’s pursuit of the Defenders is that McEacharn doesn’t want an Eastern League team to relocate to a situation with an unstable stadium situation.

With the Richmond Braves having departed for Georgia after last season, the Defenders would play 2010 and 2011 at the city’s old ball park, The Diamond, while a new stadium is built for 2012. However, Richmond is not willing to commit to a new stadium until August and a new team is secured.

“There are so many factors to consider. Richmond has been an interest; I won’t deny the Eastern league’s interest,” McEacharn said. “We are not going to walk into a situation where there’s facilities issues. … We’re not going to assume they’re going to have a new ballpark.”

The acknowledged interest is a 180-degree turnaround from just a few months ago when both the Eastern League and the Carolina League were both believed to be jockeying for position to claim the profitable one-time Triple-A market and echoed “no comment” policies.

McEacharn’s admission could be seen as a sign that the league has at least one foot in the door already."

as the Marlins move from Carolina to Jacksonville and the Dodgers move from Jacksonville to Chattanooga replacing the Reds.  Brewers stay in Huntsville.  Trenton and Yankee are likely to renew.  That leaves the Reds looking for a new home; which will either be Carolina or perhaps CT with the Giants (Defenders)  then becoming MudCats.

So where would you like to be?  Southern League or the Eastern League or anywhere but Dodd?

(Is this75 words yet?)

will be either the Connecticut Defenders of the Eastern League or the Carolina MudCats of the Southern League.  Any thoughts?

a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a aa a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a aa filler filler filler

the newest Defenders Pablo and Ben posted on his Norwich Bulletin  blog.  Really looking forward to seeing both players soon.   Joe also reports that Nestor Rojas is back with Augusta and Joey Martinez is on the DL.  I heard Dayton Buller is in SJ now. What other moves do you folks  think will be happening?  Anyone know where MarkMincozzi and Barry Gunter are these days?

Ok now I am just vamping fot the 75 word min which is just killing me. Filler, filler, filler 

Hi,

Several days ago the local newspaer here  Norwich Bulletin Norwich, CT) mentioned the Marlins may be moving to the Eastern League in 2009 to play in Norwich Ct.  The Giants are the current org. and both sides (Giants and home front office) appear ready for a change.  Can anyone provide some insight on this?  The Marlins used to be in the EL as the Portland (ME) Seadogs. I am now vamping for the 75 word min.

Thanks,  greg

does someone have info on this?  There was an article in the local paper (Norwich (CT) Bulletin that mentioned the chance that the Brewers Double A team in Huntsville could end up playing in the Eastern League next year.  The Giants Double A team currently plays in the EL as the Connecticut Defenders but may be leaving after this season. Ok, I haven't hit the 75 word mark quite yet, how about now?

Thanks--Greg

Joe Perez: Defenders’ affiliation has been a Giant pain
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/sports/x194405749/Joe-Perez-Defenders-affiliation-has-been-a-Giant-pain

Posted in today's Norwich Bulletin and is spot on.  I would have taken Defs mager Bien F. to task for doing a 180 on Dodd. 

And there's this from SFDugout:

"Well, despite Municipal Stadium being in one of the best hitter’s leagues in minor league baseball, Municipal Stadium is not a hitter’s stadium.  Its orientation facing to the southwest is a major factor.  The easterly winds that often blow across the stadium from right field to left can be a damper on any left-handed slugger, holding balls up.  San Jose is also being criticized as one of the toughest parks in which to pick up a baseball out of a pitcher’s hand, ranking in the bottom of all of minor league baseball for both average and on-base percentage park factors, and 5th worst in strikeouts."

 I hear Augusta is a long way from a bandbox also.  But the hate for Dodd seems just overwhelming and I know there are those home/away splits everyone will cite..  But is it because Double A is where the real separation starts to occur and because some of those players we hope are good just aren't?

 will he go straight to Triple-A Fresno under the heading of a "baseball descision" thereby confirming the feelings of the good folks out here in CT. that the Giants really do not care about their Double A team.   It is obvious that he doesn't have much to prove anymore in San Jose.  Subtopic : has anyone anyone  heard about the Giants 'moving" their Double A team elsewhere after the 2008 season ends?  Please  discuss, thanks.

Bienvenido Figueroa, who has managed in the Baltimore system, most recently as bench coach with the BaySox in the Eastern League.
Check out the full article on my blog or today's Norwich Bulletin.

as the town authority nixed the spending of $60K to move the fences in saying that's not part of the lease.  The Defenders will again ti get the town to spend the money at a meeting for later this month.  The article is in today's New London Day:

Norwich -- The Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium will get a new playing field for the 2008 season, but the Connecticut Defenders and visiting teams still might be frustrated at deep fly balls caught at the warning track.

The City Council added a resolution to the agenda late Monday and authorized the Stadium Authority to hire Sports Turf Specialties of Plainville, Mass., for up to $231,476 to replace the playing field at Dodd Stadium. But the council also voted 5-2 to remove language from the resolution that would have spent another $60,000 to relocate the outfield warning track and move the fences in to generate more home runs and offense.

Defenders General Manager Charlie Dowd was disappointed in the council vote. He said the Defenders' Major League parent team, the San Francisco Giants, repeatedly has asked that the fences be brought in. Dodd Stadium is one of the largest parks in the Eastern League and wind patterns consistently cut down deep drives to the outfield.

"I'm just hopeful that people aren't being shortsighted if it impacts our relationship with the Giants or our affiliation with a new team," Dowd said. "It's a pressure point by the Giants. They're adamant that it's something the Giants want to see done."

Alderman John Newson made the amendment to remove the fence work, saying the city was not obligated to pay for that in the contract with the minor league baseball team. The city's lease with the team did call for the city to resod the field this fall. The council added the resolution to the agenda to speed up that work.

Stadium Authority member Gary Schnip, who oversees stadium operations, said he hopes to award the bid by the end of the month. Sports Turf Specialties submitted the low bid of $222,476 to resod the field. The additional cost would cover additional watering, seeding and mowing once the new turf is set, city purchasing agent William Block said.

Dowd said he plans to ask the Stadium Authority at its Oct. 10 meeting to fund the fence relocation using the authority's own funds -- replenished last week when the Defenders paid off the team's entire back rent bill of $119,196.

Acting City Manager Joseph Ruffo, also the city comptroller, said the City Council vote applied only to the use of money from a $610,000 bond for stadium improvements the council approved last month. He said the authority could use its own funds to move the fences if it wishes.

Schnip said he would not want to use authority money to move the fences, however.

Both Schnip and authority Chairman Michael Jewell argued to the council last month that the city should pay to move the fences as it would make the stadium more attractive either to the Defenders or to other possible minor league franchises in the future. They argued that the stadium right now is simply too big for the game.

The Defenders' lease with the city expires after the 2012 baseball season, but the team has the option of an early buyout after the 2009 season. The Defenders' affiliation with the Giants expires at the end of next season, and Dowd said the fence move could be a factor in the renewal talks.

for next season.  As noted in today's New London Day newspaper the money has been approved for this.  How far in the fences come and what the new dimensions will be is not clear.

Matt starts tonight against New Britain giving up 6 earned runs in 5 IP, 8 hits, 3 Ks and two HRs given up.  He was 10-8 with Fresno his year.  This appearance makes him a 5 season player with the Navigators/Defenders.
Defenders win 7-6 as Eugenio Velez hit a three run homer, his first, in the 8th.  Billy Sadler picks up his first 2007 save with the Defs.

as Sadler throws one shut out inning tonight in CT.

 as started on the minor lines thread of 7/27, in appreciation of John Bowker's CT season so far.  We all went nuts over Nate last year (.268, 26 2Bs, 14 HRs and 54 RBIs), time to start going nuts over John?

 Mac remains a scout with the Giants on contract thru next year.  Turner was the Double A skipper in '03 going 62-79 and '04 going 69-73.
Wonder what the real deal is?

throws a scorless inning last night in the Giants game. Vinnie Chulk with a death in family and not avaiable.

as reported by Joe Ferez's blog.  What a great name Dayton Ryo Buller...any info on him?  TJ to Triple A to give Justin a break.

going 2 for 4 with a double and a K. Anyone see him?  Have pics?

according to Joe Perez of the Nowich Bulletin's blog entry tonight.  Heard the same thing from a team official at the game tonight as well.
His last CT AB was a walk off HR but overall his season and a half here was disappointing.
Hopefully EME will follow him to Fresno as well.

as reported by Joe Perez in his blog today.  Jeff Petersen released.
Also Travis Ishikawa ( hurt going for a foul ball over a week ago) and Alex Hinshaw (no idea what his deal is) on the DL.

Wilding has great stats.  Is he our new closer?  Scouting report?

Threw a scoreless inning for the Defs tonight.  A 1-3 record in SJ with 4.5 ERA; 12 games, 4 as a starter.  Any thoughts on his guy out there?

Both came out of Single A as heralded closers.  In 2003 Palmer had 25 saves in 44 games pitching to a 1.20 ERA and posting a 5-0 record.  He gave up 21 hits in 52.1 IP  with 56 Ks and 15 walks issued.
Fast forward to 2004 in Double A Norwich where he goes 4-7 with a 3.06 ERA in 42 games, saves 8 but is demoted then converted to a starter.
Anderson had similar numbers last season in Single A but is having his troubles this season in Double A.  
In 2006 Anderson saved 37 games with a 1.86 ERA in 67.2 IP with 44 hits, 85 Ks and 17 walks issued. His record was 1-1
So far this year Anderson is 1-2 with 11 saves, 3 BS in 19 games. 23 IP with 24 hits given up 18 Ks, 12 walks to a 3.91 ERA.
Both have similar body builds.  Anderson is less of a power pitcher than I remember Palmer being.

posted on my blog, see the link below. The field move is discussed along with some "local" issues surrounding the Double A club now in it's fifth year as a Giants farm team.

Greg's Connecticut Defenders blog

Dave McKae and Alex Requena to CT and Darren Sack back to SJ.

going 0-4 in a 6-2 Defender loss to Altoona.
Vidclip of the AB on my blog

Are you kidding?  He's 2 for 2 so far tonight with a RBI double and solo HR.  

Source close to Billy tells me he is on his way to Fresno as I type this.  His stats:
4-2, 20 saves, 2.56 ERA. 45.2 IP, 67 Ks

From last's nights game.  Sorry about the Sadler one; you'll get seasick but had to shoot around some people who finally move halfway thru the clip.  Posted on the blog.  see link below

Here are faces to put to names.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m310/greg8370