On Tuesday, the Nashua Board of Aldermen approved an agreement with new Nashua Silver Knights (summer collegiate; Futures Collegiate Baseball League) owner John Creedon, Jr. on the use of Holman Stadium.
Creedon recently reached an agreement to purchase the Silver Knights from Drew Weber, adding a second team to his summer-collegiate baseball ownership portfolio that already included the Worcester Bravehearts (Futures League). The Silver Knights will continue to play at historic Holman Stadium under new ownership, with a concession agreement approved on Tuesday spelling out the terms of the club’s arrangement with the city.
Under the deal approved by the Board of Aldermen, the Silver Knights will pay the city $1,000 per game–estimated at $28,000 annually–for the use of Holman Stadium. The agreement will run through the end of 2020, with five one-year lease options potentially extending the deal. More from the New Hampshire Union Leader:
“The new owners have come in and showed a lot of enthusiasm for the team and for the ability to have quality baseball at Holman Stadium,” said Mayor Jim Donchess.
As the owner of the Worcester, Mass., Bravehearts baseball team, Creedon is already familiar with the baseball league, Donchess said.
He said Creedon held a reception for fans at Holman Stadium last week, which was very well received.
“The fans are very enthusiastic about the change. I do believe they will bring energy,” Donchess said of Creedon, who purchased the franchise from Drew Weber.
Holman Stadium was originally dedicated in September 1937, giving it a long history that includes a variety of baseball teams that have played there. The Nashua Dodgers of the New England League called it home from 1946-1949, and the ballpark was later used for Class AA Eastern League action from 1983-1986. A variety of independent league clubs occupied Holman Stadium beginning in the mid-1990’s, with the 2009 American Defenders of New Hampshire (Can-Am League) being the most recent professional team to have played at the ballpark. The Silver Knights have played at Holman Stadium since 2011.