Dowd named Defenders' GM
"We are happy to welcome Charlie Dowd as our new general manager. Charlie has extraordinary experience and longtime ties to baseball in Connecticut," DiBella said. "As a resident of Madison, Charlie knows our fan base and understands the dynamics and challenges of the region. I'm confident that he will help baseball to thrive once again at Dodd Stadium, particularly during our 2007 All-Star Game season."
Dowd has been working in professional baseball for 18 years, including the last nine as general manager of the Bridgeport Bluefish of the independent Atlantic League. For five years prior to running the Bluefish, he worked in the Eastern League as general manager of the New Haven Ravens from 1992-97.
"The opportunity to come to Norwich and oversee operations for the Connecticut Defenders is a tremendous challenge that has me and my family excited," Dowd said. "I see tremendous upside to this team and look forward to creating an atmosphere at Dodd Stadium that will ensure that our fans will enjoy themselves throughout the 2007 season."
His tenure in both Bridgeport and New Haven included the start-up operation of both franchises. He worked as the general manager for the Salinas Spurs (Class A, California League) in 1991-92. The Spurs were in an affiliated league but operated as an independent team, meaning they acquired players from many different organizations, including Japanese teams. In 1990-91, he served as the assistant general manager for the Midland Angles (Class A, Midwest League). His first full time job in professional baseball was at the Major League level as a sales representative with the New York Mets in 1988-89.
The 2007 season will be one of the biggest in franchise history. The Defenders will host the Eastern League All-Star game on Wed., July 11. Dowd has experience planning, selling and conducting All-Star games. Bridgeport hosted the Atlantic League All-Star game in 1999 and 2006. He also secured the Double-A Association All-Star game in 1988 for New Haven.
"Hosting an All-Star Game is a thrill and an honor," he said. "The best of the Eastern League will be at Dodd Stadium throughout the 2007 season. However, this event, and I purposely call it an event as opposed to a game, is an opportunity for the Defenders and the area to shine. I look forward to a great event."
Dowd, 44, graduated with his bachelor's degree from City University of New York in Staten Island, N.Y., in 1985 and went on to earn a doctorate from Western New England College School of Law in Springfield, Mass., in 1988. He and his wife, Dawn, reside in Madison, Conn., with their three sons: Casey (13), Conner (11) and Tristan (9).
The public, including season-ticket holders and advertisers, will have their first opportunity to personally meet the Defenders' new general manager on Wed., Oct. 25, at the team's annual World Series Party at the Hard Rock Cafe, Foxwoods. The party is free to season ticket holders, with a nominal admission to non-season ticket holders. The party includes an all-you-can-eat menu, with Game 4 of the World Series featured on screens throughout the restaurant.
The Connecticut Defenders are the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants and a member of the 12-team Eastern League. Fans can purchase new team merchandise, individual game tickets, group outings, corporate picnics and skyboxes by visiting our website at www.ctdefenders.com or
by calling (860) 887-7962.