Once the season starts, we’ll use this space to highlight top performers and notable events of the previous week but for now we’ll catch up on some off-season news from around the league.

Hartford in 2016

Last Tuesday ground was broken on the $56 million stadium project north of downtown Hartford set to house the Rockies’ AA affiliate in 2016. There is still time to vote on the team name here, but be warned…Whalers is trademarked and can’t be used.

Try to Explain Bunbino to Richie Ashburn

See how the Reading Fightin Phils’ logos went from a tasteful nod towards to their parent club to a ridiculously cartoonish ostrich and hot dog. (SportsLogos.net [Caputo])

Chase’s Legacy

The players aren’t the only ones that need spring training before the season begins. Rookie, the third generation bat dog in Trenton, has been busy at Shelly’s School for Dogs four days a week in preparation for splitting duties with his dad, Derby, in 2015.

Ripped from the Misremembered Headlines

The RubberDucks are latching onto current events as they are holding a “Brian Williams’ Pants-on-Fire Night” on National Tell a Story Day, Monday, April 27. The game will feature:
• First 100 fans will receive a pair of suspenders upon entering Canal Park
• On-field contests, including “To Tell the Truth” and “Two Truths & a Brian Williams,” • also known as “Two Truths and a Lie”
• In honor of National Tell a Story Day, a fan named Brian Williams will read tall tales
• A between-inning chance for fans to audition to be the next television news anchor on the video board, with the fan-voted winner’s video sent to NBC
• A pair of pants from Brian Williams will be burned in a “pants on fire” ceremony
• Any fan in attendance named Brian Williams will have a chance to throw out a ceremonial first pitch