Stadium Press Box to Be Named for Longtime Berlin Teacher

NEW BRITAIN/BERLIN, CT — The New Britain Bees, in conjunction with the city of New Britain, announced Tuesday that the press box at New Britain Stadium will be named in honor of the late Lawrence E. Michaels.

“Larry Michaels was a fan and friend first, and then the longest standing employee of the New Britain Red Sox, Rock Cats, and Bees,” said Bees General Manager Gerry Berthiaume, who also served in the same capacity with the New Britain Red Sox and Rock Cats. “At one point with the New Britain Red Sox, Larry and his entire family, Anna Marie, Lew and Jeanne, worked at the ballpark. Everyone enjoyed working with Larry and he is sadly missed by all – to name the press box after him is truly the right thing to do.”

Lawrence Michaels, better known as Larry to his friends and coworkers, was a fixture in New Britain baseball, starting with the New Britain Red Sox. A graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School and the University of Maryland, Michaels spent 30 years teaching in the Berlin school system. He joined the New Britain Red Sox organization officially in 1985, and was the longest tenured employee in New Britain baseball history.

An incredible gentleman of the game, Michaels spent many years operating the electronic scoreboard at thee stadium. He passed away July 7, 2017 after a long illness.

“Larry was an invaluable part of both the Rock Cats and Bees organizations,” said former Rock Cats owner and Bees special adviser Bill Dowling. “While his presence is sorely missed at New Britain Stadium, I can think of no better way to memorialize his dedication to New Britain baseball than naming the press box in his honor.”

“Larry Michaels was a fixture at New Britain baseball games dating back more than three decades,” said Mayor Erin Stewart. “He was deeply passionate about the game and an ardent supporter of minor league baseball right here in our community. Naming the press box in his name is a fitting honor to an individual who showed an incredible amount of respect for the sport, reporters, workers, players, and the fans.”

A plaque honoring Michaels’ contributions to New Britain baseball will hang outside the press box at the New Britain Stadium suite level. The external facade of the press box will also bear Michaels’ name starting in 2018.

The dedication ceremony will take place prior to the Bees’ Fan Appreciation Day on Sunday, Sept. 10, with gates opening at 12:35 p.m. and the ceremony to start at 1:10 p.m.

Story courtesy of New Britain Bees
Patch image by Tim Jensen