NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (March 9, 2021) -- The New Britain Bees today announced the sale of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL) team to Newtown resident Brad Smith. Smith spent the past three seasons with the club as General Manager.
“I would like to thank Frank Boulton, Mike Pfaff, Anthony Iacovone, Tony Amin and Vic Picone for helping us get to this point,” said Smith. “It was Frank and Mike who got me back into the baseball business four years ago, and I will be forever grateful.” Smith also announced Founding Partner Pfaff will stay on board as a senior advisor to the club.
The closing of the sale follows months of work. Smith signed an agreement to buy the Bees earlier this month, then received approval from both the Futures League and New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart to complete the purchase. “I look forward to continue working closely with Mayor Stewart and Parks and Recreation Director Erik Barbieri to make New Britain Stadium a facility that is used year-round, for the enjoyment of all central Connecticut residents and Bees fans,” continued Smith.
“This is the fulfillment of a promise Frank and I made when we arrived here in New Britain back in 2015,” said Pfaff. “Our promise was to bring – and keep – baseball alive in New Britain Stadium for the long term, and to find solid local ownership to make sure it stays here for years to come. Our ownership group felt very strongly that we have found the perfect person to do that in Brad Smith.”
More than 15,000 fans walked through the New Britain Stadium turnstiles to watch the Bees make their Futures League debut during the 2020 season, which was Smith’s third as the team’s GM. New Britain had spent the previous four seasons as an independent franchise in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
“On behalf of the entire Futures League, I would like to congratulate Brad on his new role and look forward to our continued relationship with the New Britain Bees,” FCBL Commissioner Joe Paolucci said. “We are proud to have New Britain and Brad’s many baseball experiences as part of our league. I know the Bees are in great hands for many years to come.”
A long, successful track record in the baseball world has led Smith to this point. His first 10 years in the industry, from 1995-2005, were with the Chattanooga Lookouts (AA, Cincinnati Reds). In 2005, along with his late father Dale Smith, he purchased the Kannapolis Intimidators (A, Chicago White Sox). Smith served as the Intimidators team president through the 2015 season, when he sold the club. Additionally, from 2014 to 2016, the Smith family owned the Wilmington Sharks of the Coastal Plain League.
Smith, a 1995 graduate of Middlebury College, was a four-year starting shortstop for the Panthers, including being named team captain for the 1995 season.
For more information on the Bees, visit nbbees.com and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@newbritainbees).
For more information on the Futures League, visit thefuturesleague.com and follow them on Facebook (@TheFuturesLeague), Twitter (@FuturesLeague) and Instagram (@futuresleagueofnewengland).
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