By Joel Perez-
The Minor League Baseball (MILB) is an organization that consists of triple A, double A, high A and single A teams. With over 120 teams to pick and cheer for, annually there is only one that is dubbed an award by the title of “Organization of the year”
On October 8th, The Hartford Yard Goats, the affiliation team for the Colorado Rockies, were named organization of the year. Such a high honor award to be given to a minor league club.
The Yard Goats are an organization that haven’t failed to fill seats and give back to the community at the same time. Understanding it is deeper than just the sport, but realizing everything that truly comes into this.
The Hartford Yard Goats are a team that has sold out 39 regular season games, setting a franchise record with a total of 417,054 attendance this season (including playoffs) this also being their third consecutive season with over 400,000 people in total attendance. Not to mention they also average 6,000 fans in attendance per game, it is obvious they do not fail to entertain and reel fans into their games.
Tim Restall, president of the Yard Goat said “This speaks volumes about our loyal fans, partners and employees. Our goal has always been to be more than just a baseball team, and have a positive impact in the Hartford community.”
The Yard Goats are also hitting home runs off the field, as they also look out for their community and their fans with different programs for everyone. Just to name a few they provide Culinary programs, young ambassador after school programs, theater programs, and even drum teams.
Well deserved for this amazing baseball team, truly displaying there is more to a sport than just being played. Make sure to catch a Hartford Yard Goat game for yourself, they open up Friday April 4th at Dunkin’ Park against The Somerset Patriots.