After a long off-season, Sea Unicorns baseball is set to return to Dodd Stadium for their third campaign in the Futures League in 2023. During the off-season, stadium improvements and overall fan experience have been at the top of the list.
First, an agreement with the Sea Unicorns and the city of Norwich guarantees baseball will be played at Dodd in 2024 with a mutual option for 2025 per a new lease amendment.
A new and improved team website is now available for fans to easily navigate all Sea Unicorns information. The site features ballpark information, players and front office information, and various clinics and promotions to name a few.
Driving up to the stadium, fans will notice a more picturesque view with cleaner landscaping done by Hyde Park Landscaping. Outside renovations include new mulch in the planter boxes and in front of the stadium. Next to the front office door, be sure to take a look at the new Sea Unicorns and Dodd Stadium signage. Inside the stadium, you will see new signage, an updated Hole in the Wall Bar and a more professional setup.
Speaking of bars and brews, this season, the Sea Unicorns will be partnering with local breweries Epicure and Willibrew to develop a beer for fans to enjoy. A season-long naming contest for the beer will conclude with the announcement of the winning name near the season’s end. For now, ‘Beer To Be Named Later” is the interim name this season. Epicure is located on 40 Franklin Street in the heart of downtown Norwich while Willibrew is located on Main Street in Willimantic. A former post office building, Willibrew received a 4.5 rating on trip advisor for overall experience including food and drink.
Fans will have the opportunity to try this new beverage during all 33 of the Sea Unicorns home games. Weekly promotions this season include $2 Tuesday, Thirsty Thursday, Fireworks and Sunday Funday. There will be a total of seven Thirty Thursday’s and eight firework shows including opening night.
Wacky Wednesday will feature two morning games: Education Day and Camp Day. Other Wednesday games will feature different promotions announced throughout the season. The biggest promotion in store for the season is our Saturday Music Series. Six dates and six bands have been selected to perform. Gates will open at 4:30 on these select dates and the bands will perform 90 minutes before the game at Dodd. The bands include Red Light, Branded Country that Rocks, F & Blues Band, The Yellow Blackbirds, Katie Perkins and Don’t Tell Lisa. The six games are sponsored by Yale New Haven Health/Lawrence Memorial Hospital. A custom Sea Unicorns music series shirt is currently being designed as part of a giveaway that will happen on various Saturdays throughout the year.
Opening night is slated to be a huge success this year. Over 1,200 tickets were sold for the Memorial Day opening game as part of the Pi Day promotion. Opening night will also include a 2023 season magnet schedule giveaway presented by Knapp Schenk Insurance.
Important dates to remember are Education Day on May 31st and Camp Day July 19th which will both feature 11am start times. We will honor first responders with a tribute to frontline workers June 16th presented by Hartford Healthcare. An Independence Day celebration with postgame fireworks takes place July 3rd. Military Appreciation Night returns a week later on July 14th presented by the Better Business Bureau. This game will feature custom jerseys and of course, fireworks. Fan Appreciation night concludes the season festivities on the last regular season home game August 5th. Live music and fireworks will headline the event with a Sea Unicorns playoff spot as the ultimate goal.
We’re so excited to see everyone back at the ballpark in 2023 and are expecting the Rose City to be a hot commodity for baseball fans this year. We will see you at the ballpark.