sharewhut

The Whale couldn't do it. The Pack and UConn aren't doing it. The Convention Center isn't doing it. Sad fact is that people who know the city spend as little time as possible there after dark. I used to come in for Whalers games, or to hit Mad Murphy's or the Russian Lady for drinks or music or just partying. Mid to late 80's got to scary to go downtown for a night out. Giving Front St. a chance, but for now even that feels a bit sketchy walking through all the incompleteness to parking garages. Would love to see city rise up and be successful- if for no other reason than to see my tax dollars not disappear into it- but unless you can pull a Yankees/South Bronx trick don't think it'll happen. Geez, I only ended up here looking for how long Twins committed to team for. Sorry to Twins fans for breaking off on tangent when I saw Kwak's note. Andrew, hope you keep your future Twins nearby, but there had better not be a paid attendance clause in the lease or I see Springfield in the Rock Cats future yet, with Sox AA back from Trenton. Then Hartford can replace Norwich as having the nicest stadium in the NY-Penn League!

A- If you don't sense Malloy's finger in this, well no sense debating you. Nothing happens in Hartford without state money involved, if not directly then through increased education, public safety, etc dollars to cover shortfalls caused by stadium costs. B- Was responding to 'gun held to head' statement, not implying that Mayor Stewart should have had role in negotiations. Just saying that she was blindsided by team/State/Hartford. At least on part of both Hartford parties was more than a subtle political jab. C- It's usually, at least as a courtesy, brought up to current city that something else is in works, to either give opportunity to come up with counter or soften blow. Unless you're the Colts. If Twins adamant on staying in area, they could always approach Norwich about upgrading Dodd. Was rocking as a Yankee affiliate, Twins would probably run more along lines of what they drew for Giants farm team. I sense that attendance in NB was as much a result of having a team of their own for so many years- no matter who was feeding players they were "OUR TEAM". Don't see them following up the road once that disconnect is made. You may eat at Pop's Diner in the neighborhood for years, no matter who owns it, but if it shuts down and moves 15 miles out of town it's not your neighborhood place any more.

Respect you being a Twins fan in CT and wanting to keep a touch with your team close by, but how likely is it that you'll be making the nightly trek to 84 & 91 on hot summer nights? Presumably you're familiar with area 2 blocks away. No way families from outside Hartford making that trip. Maybe for a day game. New Britain ain't exactly a gem, but for the most part more family friendly than Connecticut's <s>Rising</s> Shooting Star. For parking they'll use Beehive Field and run a special on the busway on game nights for those not wanting to spend $25 to park in one of Laz's lots. Election year move by Dan (it's an election year so don't call me Dannell)- move a business from one city to another and call it economic progress. (BTW- spent a few summers visiting M-SP area in 70's, loved going to Twins games in Bloomington getting in for $5 in Knothole seats, talking to players in pen and outfield...)

@ Kwak: Team didn't put gun to New Britain's head- deal was cut behind the mayor's back by Governor (questionable ethics would be putting it mildly) and equally shaky Hartford Mayor- in part to punish a brand new Mayor in N.B. who happens to be an outspoken critic (and member of opposing party) of said governor and hartford mayor (lower case intentional). Hoping the Twins haven't/don't extend association.

Announced today team moving to Hartford, the State Capitol and MURDER Capitol of Connecticut. Blocks away from gang infested area of city, only parking available is in politically connected lots. Fans already saying they won't go into city for games. Civic Center (Wolfpack AHL, and UCONN 'alternate' home court) is at least in downtown area with attached parking garage. City broke, raising taxes from shrinking tax base to come up with cash for stadium. Not a place where you'd dare walk more than a block or two after (or frankly BEFORE) a night game. Twins had better plan on housing/busing their prospects out of immediate area.