By TOM PULEO
Courant Staff Writer

NEW BRITAIN -- Rock Cats general manager Bill Dowling, who watches every
home game from the railing behind the plate, will bring the same personal
touch to the upcoming baseball season.

The Rock Cats will keep ticket prices the same, add new field lights and
remove unhealthy trans fat from the concession menu, Dowling told a crowd
of 300 at Famous Dave's restaurant Friday for the team's annual hot stove
luncheon.

"These people are our guests," Dowling said. "When people come to our
ballpark, it's as if you're entering our house, and that's what I tell all
of our staff members. We realize what a fantastic fan base we have."

The Rock Cats keep the focus on baseball at a time when stadiums across
the country feature driving ranges, swimming pools and rock climbing
walls. The Rock Cats drew 328,406 (5,052 average) in 2006, the most in
franchise history.

"That's pretty good when you consider that the stadium only holds 6,000
and change and in April and May, I wouldn't be here unless I had to,"
Dowling said, referring to the two coldest months of the season.

The Rock Cats (64-78) finished last in the Eastern League Northern
Division for the first time since 2000 despite having three former
first-round draft picks on the roster.

With the home opener 75 days away, second-year manager Riccardo Ingram
said he is ready to take the field for the Minnesota Twins' Double A
affiliate. After opening the season with six road games, the Rock Cats
host the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on April 12.

"I'm in a hurry to get back out there and correct this thing," Ingram
said. "I expect to win a lot more games than we did this year. We want
these players to come here and perform well and move up the ladder. But I
still want to win."

New Britain Mayor Timothy Stewart attended the event at the La Quinta Inn,
along with R. Nelson "Oz" Griebel, head of the region's MetroHartford
Alliance.

Twins minor league director Jim Rantz said player development will
continue to focus on pitching and defense.

"Our strength in the minor leagues is in the pitching department," Rantz
said.

The Twins, known for having one of baseball's best farm systems, have
recently sent several notable players through New Britain.

Pitcher Matt Garza (Rock Cats '06) was named the 2006 USA Today Minor
League Player of the Year, becoming the second Twins player and former
Rock Cat in as many years to win the award. Francisco Liriano ('04-05) won
in 2005.

In 2006, Twins catcher Joe Mauer (Rock Cats '03) won the American League
batting title at .347 and first baseman Justin Morneau ('01-02) was named
AL MVP.

Dowling and co-owner Coleman Levy said the team will continue to hold
blood drives and do special promotions for charities.

"We've had such a great run with the Rock Cats here in New Britain, but it
doesn't really work unless you give back to the community," Dowling said.

January 27, 2007