Colonials Promise To Stay In Pittsfield All Season
 Lewis promised the community that he will do whatever he can to keep the team in Pittsfield. |
"We are confident that things will turn around," Lewis said at a press conference Thursday afternoon. "I'm going to do everything in my power to keep [the team] here."
The Can-Am league team has been rumored to be closing up shop before the season ends because of financial difficulties. While the organization is facing troubles because of poor attendance, the team is not going anywhere this year, Lewis said.
"Things have not been easy for us. It's hard to run a business when you don't have customers," Lewis said. "People thought we were threatening to leave."
Lewis previously said the club is on pace to lose $600,000 at the end of the season and that the team had fallen behind in paying its bills.
As for next season, Lewis could not promise the team would be back, but he hopes it can. Lewis said poor attendance early in the season could have been just because of other events happening – such as Little League and softball seasons. Once those end, the team expects to see the stands fill up.
"Baseball in the Berkshires is so important," Lewis said. "It's all about getting people here."
Another factor keeping people from the ballpark is a misconception of the quality of games being played, he said. While city residents have seen affiliated baseball at the historic stadium in the past, they often think the Colonials are "bush league." However, those naysayers must "not have seen a game here," he said, because the Can-Am league is equivalent to Double A teams.
The Colonials have recently bumped up their marketing and sought out additional investors. Since the news broke that the team was facing financial troubles, Lewis said sponsors have backed off because of the uncertainty surrounding the team.
"The tone has changed. Some people are afraid that they will set up an event coming up and we're not going to be here," Director of Community Relations Heather Cachat said. "We want them to know that we will be here. Don't be afraid to set up events with me or to bring a group."
Cachat said there are many promotions upcoming to help bring crowds to the park – including Saint Patrick's Night on Friday, when the players will dress in green and the stadium will serve green beer and corned beef. A full list of promotions has been posted and the organization also has a lot scheduled for the Fourth of July, she said.
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