The Hartford Yard Goats, under the leadership of General Manager Mike Abramson, have achieved remarkable success. Their story is one of continuous improvement and a relentless pursuit of something new.

"The Yard Goats: Always Striving for Greatness"

The Early Years and Challenges

In 2016, the Yard Goats faced a significant setback as their new ballpark missed its completion date, forcing them to spend the entire season as a road team. However, in 2017, they moved into Dunkin’ Donuts Park and immediately began to make their mark. In that first year, they drew 5,800 fans per game, a significant increase from the 4,000 fans they averaged as the New Britain Rock Cats in 2015. But what set them apart was their ability to continue to grow. In 2018, they drew another 200 fans per game, and in 2019, another 200. This steady increase in attendance was not a fluke. It was the result of a team culture that valued continuous improvement.

The Impact of the Pandemic

Like every team, the Yard Goats took an attendance hit during the first post-pandemic season in 2021. But they quickly rebounded, reaching 6,000 fans per game in 2022 and averaging nearly 6,300 in 2023. In 2024, they averaged 6,150 fans per game, demonstrating their resilience in the face of adversity. This success can be attributed to their unwavering commitment to finding ways to stay interested in the work. As General Manager Mike Abramson said, "It's not even so much about chasing success or chasing money. It's just about finding ways to stay interested in the work, so you don't get tired of just doing the same thing year over year."

The On-Field Entertainment Experience

In 2024, the Yard Goats took their on-field entertainment to the next level. From the on-field host introduction in the first inning to a sing-along in the late innings, they designed an experience that brought fans together. Abramson compared it to a concert, where people come out for a shared journey and leave with a common experience. "When people come out, I want them to be on a journey. I want them to feel like they went through something with the whole crowd. And then everybody left, and they were like, 'Wow, that was amazing. We all experienced it together.'"

Looking Ahead to 2025

Currently, the Yard Goats are looking at tweaking some sections for 2025. While the current setup is working well, they believe there are ways to reconfigure it to make it even better. This mindset of continuous improvement is what has driven their success so far, and they show no signs of slowing down. As General Manager Mike Abramson said, "I could never have guessed at the level of success, and one of these days I'm going to kick back and enjoy it." But for now, they will continue to strive for greatness.