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Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium

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Coordinates: 41°34′25.95″N 72°6′25.46″W / 41.5738750°N 72.1070722°W / 41.5738750; -72.1070722
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Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium
Dodd Stadium
Map
Location14 Stott Avenue
Norwich, Connecticut
United States
Coordinates41°34′25.95″N 72°6′25.46″W / 41.5738750°N 72.1070722°W / 41.5738750; -72.1070722
OwnerCity of Norwich
OperatorNorwich Stadium Authority
Capacity6,270
Field sizeLeft Field: 309 ft (94 m)
Center Field: 401 ft (122 m)
Right Field: 309 ft (94 m)
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke groundNovember 3, 1994
OpenedApril 17, 1995
Construction cost$9.3 million
($18.6 million in 2023 dollars[1])
ArchitectPopulous
Cook and Jepson[2]
Project managerG. Schnip Construction, Inc.[2]
General contractorC. R. Klewin[2]
Tenants
Norwich Navigators (EL) 1995–2005
Connecticut Defenders (EL) 2006–2009
Connecticut Tigers (NYPL) 2010–2020
Hartford Yard Goats (EL) 2016
Norwich Sea Unicorns (FCBL) 2021–present
Mystic Schooners (NECBL) 2022–present

Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium is a stadium in Norwich, Connecticut. It is primarily used for baseball, and since 2010, has been the home of the Norwich Sea Unicorns, who were previously known as the Connecticut Tigers. It was the home field of the Connecticut Defenders (previously known as the Norwich Navigators) minor league baseball team until 2009 when the Defenders announced their move to Richmond, Virginia, to become known as the Richmond Flying Squirrels. It was built in 1995 and has a seating capacity of 6,270. It is named for Eastern Connecticut native Thomas Dodd who was a United States senator and Representative from Connecticut, and the father of U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd.

Features

The stadium is sunk into the surrounding ground, so that all fans enter at street level and walk down to get to their seats. Each section has 22–25 rows of seating, split into box seats (closest to field) and reserved seats. Beyond first and third bases, there is a third category of general-admission seats making up the top 10 rows. A wide concourse runs around the top of the seating area, with concession stands, restrooms, and a gift shop. The press box is also located at concourse level, overlooking the field. Other than behind the press box, fans can continue to watch the game while standing in line or while walking around the stadium.

There are 18 skyboxes, elevated above the concourse and accessible by stairs or elevator for ticket-holders only. The skyboxes and their outdoor seating serve as cover for the main concourse below, and for the top couple rows of reserved seats.

Down the left- and right-field lines are grassy berms which are popular with children because they abut the bullpens. These are also frequent landing places for foul balls. The left-field side also features a large covered picnic area which can be rented out, and a kids' play area with inflatable slides. One room off the concourse has been made into a video arcade.

The stadium is located in the Norwich Business Park, and the parking fee is $3. Season ticket holders park on a paved lot on the first-base side of the stadium; all other parking is in a large gravel area.

Events

Dodd Stadium hosted the 12th and final Double-A All-Star Game on July 10, 2002, in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 8,009.[3] The three Double-A leagues began holding their own separate All-Star Games starting in 2003, with Dodd Stadium hosting the Eastern League game once again on July 11, 2007. (That game was ultimately canceled in the 3rd inning due to excessive fog.)[4] The facility has also been the site of the New England Collegiate All-Star Game; the Big East Conference baseball tournament; several concerts including the Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and Clint Black/Dwight Yoakam; and a TNA Wrestling event. During the fall of 2006, the stadium was used as the setting for the ESPN miniseries The Bronx Is Burning, based on a Jonathan Mahler book of the same name.[5]

From 2002 to 2004, the stadium hosted the Atlantic 10 Conference baseball tournament. The event was won by George Washington in 2002, Richmond in 2003, and St. Bonaventure in 2004.[6] It also has hosted the Northeast Conference baseball tournament since 2014 along with the 2011 and 2012 seasons.[7][8]

The Connecticut Huskies baseball team holds some home games at Dodd Stadium, including four in 2012.[9] As part of the 2010 NCAA Division I baseball tournament, the Huskies hosted an NCAA Regional at Dodd Stadium.[10]

Collegiate Baseball
Date Away Score Home Attendance
June 4, 2010 Oregon 5–3 UConn 5,684
June 4, 2010 CCSU 5–25 UConn -
June 4, 2010 Oregon 4–3 UConn 2,291
March 15, 2011 Sacred Heart 5–4 UConn 220
May 7, 2011 USF 1–2 UConn 840
May 13, 2011 Louisville 2–6 UConn 1,088
April 20, 2012 Rutgers 8–9 UConn -
May 5, 2012 Cincinnati 1–0 UConn 421
May 5, 2012 Cincinnati 4–3 UConn 348
April 4, 2014 Bryant 7–2 UConn 205
April 5, 2014 Stony Brook 6–3 UConn 520
April 6, 2014 Bryant 5–3 UConn 623
May 13, 2014 Rhode Island 0–7 UConn 1,600
May 13, 2014 Rhode Island 12–9 UConn 285
Minor League Baseball
Date Event League Attendance
July 10, 2002 2002 Double-A All-Star Game Double-A Baseball 8,009
July 11, 2007 2007 Eastern League All-Star Game Eastern League
August 13, 2013 2013 New York-Penn League All-Star Game New York-Penn League 4,774

References

  1. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Dodd Memorial Stadium". G. Schnip Construction, Inc. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  3. ^ Gonzalez, Roberto (July 11, 2002). "End Comes in Seventh". Hartford Courant. Hartford. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Allard, Marc (July 12, 2007). "Connecticut Players Disappointed in Events". The Bulletin (Norwich). Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  5. ^ "Dodd Stadium Is Film Backdrop". Minor League Baseball. October 10, 2006. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  6. ^ "Atlantic 10 Conference Baseball Record Book" (PDF). Atlantic 10 Conference. pp. 13–14. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 19, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  7. ^ "Northeast Conference Baseball Championship Information Page". Northeast Conference. September 22, 2011. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  8. ^ "Three Days, Three CG Pitching Performances, and a Second Straight NEC Title for Sacred Heart". Northeast Conference. May 19, 2012. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  9. ^ Allard, Marc (February 12, 2012). "Marathon Runners Honoring Local Legend". The Bulletin (Norwich). Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  10. ^ Malafronte, Chip (June 4, 2010). "Norwich Regional NCAA Tournament Baseball Capsules". New Haven Register. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
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