The Norwalk Hour

Hartford’s Dunkin’ Donuts Park named best in Double A

- By Paul Doyle

Hartford’s Dunkin’ Donuts Park is the repeat winner of “Best Double-A Ballpark in America.”

The downtown home of the Yard Goats claimed the award Tuesday, the fourth time it was honored by Ballpark Digest since the stadium opened in 2017. Dunkin’ Donuts Park was also named best in Double A in 2021, 2018, and 2017.

The Yard Goats, Double A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, have drawn over 254,000 fans and have sold out 23 home games this season. The team has played before sellouts over five consecutiv­e weekends (Friday-Saturday-Sunday).

“Year over year, we continue to be impressed and humbled by our fans’ loyalty and dedication,” Yard Goats General Manager Mike Abramson said in a statement. “Ensuring Dunkin’ Donuts Park is once again named Best Double-A Ballpark in America is a great example of how they shout their allegiance from the rooftops. There’s an energy here that doesn’t exist anywhere else, and that starts with the fans.”

The Yard Goats drew their one-millionth fan to the 6,121-seat stadium on June 22, 2019, the fastest

minor league team in New England to reach the milestone.

The franchise moved from New Britain after the 2015 season, but the park was not ready due to cost overruns (constructi­on costs were estimated between $56 million and $71 million) and constructi­on delays. The team spent 2016 on the road and the stadium finally opened in 2017.

“Repeating as a champion in the Ballpark Digest Best

of the Ballparks fan vote is a challengin­g task, and it’s a testament to the popularity of the Yard Goats (and) Dunkin’ Donuts Park that fans honored it again,” said Ballpark Digest Publisher Kevin Reichard. “Double-A features an abundance of great ballparks and great fan experience­s, so congratula­tions to Mike Abramson, team ownership and the front office for achieving and sustaining such a high level of excellence.”

 ?? Hartford Yard Goats / Contribute­d photo ?? Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford.
Hartford Yard Goats / Contribute­d photo Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States