Sunday was the end of an era at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard, as the Bridgeport Bluefish (independent; Atlantic League) played their final game.
Beginning play there in 1998, the Bluefish went on to call the Ballpark at Harbor their home for 20 seasons. The club celebrated its finale on Sunday, which will mark the last time the Bluefish suit up in Bridgeport. Earlier this year, Bridgeport officials opted to move forward with discussions on a proposal from developer Howard Saffan and concert promoter Live Nation that would lead to the ballpark being converted into an amphitheater.
For Sunday’s finale, the Bluefish welcomed back several former players as well as former owner Mickey Herbert for a special ceremony. The team hosted a reported attendance figure of 4,909, and the events gave many a chance to reflect on the team’s legacy. More from the CT Post:
A pregame ceremony featured words from former owner Mickey Herbert, now the president of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, along with former players Mike Guilfoyle, Adam Greenberg, Luis Lopez and Angel Espada.
“My children are being raised here, and it’s all because of the Bluefish,” said Guilfoyle, now a Fairfield police officer.
“This is all about you guys. Maybe the numbers didn’t show it, but everybody supported us on the field and off the field.”
The Bluefish could move into a proposed new High Point, NC ballpark for the 2019 season, but elected officials there are still mulling some key details of that proposal. No announcement has been made on where the team will spend the 2018 Atlantic League season.
RELATED STORIES: Bridgeport Bluefish Planning Their Future; Sound Tigers Oppose Bridgeport Ballpark Conversion to Amphitheater; Bluefish Out of Ballpark at Harbor Yard; Changes Pitched for Ballpark at Harbor Yard; Future of Ballpark at Harbor Yard: Baseball, Soccer, Concerts?