New Britain Bees Enter Losing Streak
By Robert Held
Staff Writer
The New Britain Bees head into an important stretch of their season, starting with a three game road trip against the Long Island Ducks. However, the Bees road trip got off to a bad start when they lost to the Ducks last night by a score of 5-4. This puts the Bees into a four game losing streak.
Overall, the Bees have a record of 24-26 and sit just 4 games behind the Somerset Patriots in the Liberty Division. In between the Patriots and Bees sit the Ducks, who are tied with Somerset for first place in the Liberty Division. If the Bees can play well in Long Island this week it can move them much closer to the top of their division.
Last weekend was a rough weekend for the Bees who lost three out of four games in Bridgeport to the Bluefish, who currently sit in last place in the Liberty Division.
For their inaugural season, the Bees have done well so far. They are a near .500 team (winning percentage) behind strong pitching. They lead the Atlantic League in ERA, and have had three starting pitchers signed away to Major League Baseball teams although, pitcher Eric Fornataro is now back with the Bees and took the loss in Tuesday nights game.
Despite doing fairly well on the field, the Bees are next to last in attendance so far this season, only ahead of the Bluefish. The team has several promotions going on this weekend once the team returns home from Long Island.
On Friday, the Bees will be holding a fundraiser to help the Special Guerilla Unit get a monument built in Bristol. Fans attending that game will see SGU veterans in uniform, along with military vehicles and a 3-D rendering of what the memorial will look like. Donations will be accepted in the concourses throughout the game.
On Saturday, the Bees will have fireworks after the game. Also, that day, before the game will be the Klingberg Vintage Motorcar Festival. As part of a pre-Father’s day celebration at New Britain Stadium. Tickets to the festival and game are $30 for Adults, $25 for Seniors (65+), and $15 for Children (12 and under). A joint ticket will get fans $10 in Bees Bucks, a general admission ticket to the Vintage Motorcar Festival, and a bleacher seat for Saturday’s game. Those who have joint tickets can enter the stadium at 4:00 pm that day.
“We think the Klingberg Vintage Motorcar Festival and New Britain Bees baseball will make for a perfect family activity day,” said Dr. Steven Girelli, President and CEO of Klingberg Family Centers, “We are excited to welcome the New Britain Bees to town.”
Tickets can be purchased through the New Britain Bees box office or through the Klingberg Family Centers. As part of the ticket fathers and their children can participate in a family catch on the field between 4:15 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
“We’re thrilled to host Klingberg Family Centers and the Klingberg Vintage Motorcar Festival before our game,” said Bees general manager Patrick Day, “The Vintage Motorcar Festival has been a great tradition in the New Britain Community for many years and we’re excited to partner with them for this special ‘Catch on the Field’ event.”
Finally, on Sunday the Bees are having a special ticket sale where fans can buy one ticket and get a ticket of equal value for free for fathers in honor of Father’s Day. In fact, all adults get in free with the purchase of one ticket.
“All these promotions sound exciting and will definitely get me out to at least one Bees game this weekend,” said Christina Benson a Waterbury resident.
