Connecticut Tigers
Former New York–Penn League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.
They served as the Class A Short Season affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The team played its home games at Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium.
Quick Facts
- League
- FCBL (2021–present)
- Location
- Norwich, Connecticut (2010–present)
- Stadium
- Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium (2010–present)
- Founded
- 2010
- League champs
- FCBL: 2023, 2024, 2025
- Former names
- Connecticut Tigers (2010–2019)
- Former leagues
- New York–Penn League (2010–2020)
- Owner
- Miles Prentice
Facts from the source article.
History
The Connecticut Tigers originated when Oneonta, New York Mayor Dick Miller announced on January 27, 2010, that the Oneonta Tigers would relocate to Norwich, Connecticut, after the 2009 season. The team began play in 2010 at the newly renovated Dodd Stadium, which had been vacated by the Connecticut Defenders of the Eastern League when they moved to Richmond, Virginia, to become the Richmond Flying Squirrels at the same time. In 2011, the Connecticut Tigers experienced a 23% increase in total attendance and a 20% increase in average attendance compared to 2010; the 20% average attendance increase was the fourth largest in all of Minor League Baseball. Although the Connecticut Tigers name was initially intended only for the 2010 season, with a name-the-team contest planned afterward, the team retained the name due to positive fan feedback regarding its connection to the major league Detroit Tigers. The team kept the Tigers moniker through the end of the 2019 season. That year, the team renewed its long-term lease with Norwich and announced a name change to include the Norwich name, with a new nickname chosen through a fan contest. The five finalists were Norwich Golden Roses, Norwich Mill Mules, Norwich Narwals, Norwich Salty Dogs, and Norwich Sea Unicorns; the team ultimately became the Norwich Sea Unicorns.
Playoffs
The Connecticut Tigers lost to Tri-City 2–0 in the semifinals of the 2014 NY-Penn League Playoffs. After the team became the Norwich Sea Unicorns and joined the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, they won the 2023 FCBL championship by defeating the New Britain Bees in the semifinals and the Vermont Lake Monsters in the final. In 2024, they defeated the Vermont Lake Monsters 2 games to 1 in the semifinals and the Westfield Starfires 2 games to none in the championship series. In 2025, they defeated the Worcester Bravehearts 2 games to none in the semifinals and the New Britain Bees 2 games to 1 in the championship series.
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