The 2019 season is going down as another strong campaign for the Hartford Yard Goats (Class AA; Eastern League), who continue to draw fans in high numbers to Dunkin’ Donuts Park.
Since opening Dunkin’ Donuts Park in 2017, the Yard Goats have been a solid draw and currently top the Eastern League in per-game average attendance after finishing second and third in that category in 2018 and 2017, respectively. This season in particular has been a success, as the club has drawn more than 400,000 fans total–marking the second-straight year in which it has done so–and expects to finish the 2019 home slate with 27 straight sellouts.
Another point of success for the organization this year was the wide array of events held at Dunkin’ Donuts Park beyond Yard Goats’ games, something that team president Tim Restall and the rest of the front office want to build upon going forward. More from the Hartford Courant:
After selling out their doubleheader against Harrisburg on Tuesday night, the franchise soared past the 400,000 mark for the season, and when the home schedule wraps up on Thursday, the Goats expect to sit atop the Eastern League in attendance, averaging 6,200 per game, if not in the standings, They expect to finish the home schedule with 27 sellouts in a row, a total of 51 sellouts among 67 dates, four more than last season and 10 more than 2017.
“It really says something to the fans,” Restall said. “Connecticut is coming out to support the team, having a great time at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, really enjoying it. We’re still climbing.”…
Dunkin’ Donuts Park hosted a number of high school and college games in 2019, and will next host UConn’s baseball alumni game on Sept. 22. Restall envisions more of that, and would like to find a way to offer the venue for a college conference tournament or NCAA regional in the future. During the offseason, they will have the golf event, “Links at the Yard,” Sept. 26-29, a brew fest (Oct. 19) and a cross-fit style fitness challenge (Nov. 9) to keep the building in use.
The Yard Goats finish their 2019 regular-season home slate with games against the Harrisburg Senators on Wednesday and Thursday.