Rock Cats unveil new primary logo, home cap

New Britain, CT -- Over the past decade, the New Britain Rock Cats have dramatically transformed their Eastern League franchise by moving into a new stadium, affiliating with the American League's 4-time Central Division champions, the Minnesota Twins, and welcoming aboard new, forward-thinking owners who have worked hard to establish a special bond with the baseball fans and families of central Connecticut and western Massachusetts.

The last ten years have seen significant growth and progress in New Britain and now - with the 2006 Season in the books and franchise attendance records smashed yet again - the Rock Cats have decided to update their existing primary logo with an adjusted design that more accurately reflects the franchise's dynamic evolution.

The longstanding Rock Cats logo featured a blocked "NB" with popular team mascot "Rocky's" image - wearing sunglasses - displayed in the center. The new, refreshed design continues to feature the enormously popular mascot, but removes the sunglasses and gives him a fuller and friendlier rendering. In the updated version, the mischievous Rocky appears game-ready as he laughingly eyes the competition while pounding his baseball glove. In addition, the old primary logo contained no wording to identify the franchise; the updated brand identifier carries the words "New Britain Rock Cats" above "Rocky's" new furry tail.

Before making any of these adjustments, the Rock Cats conducted both a website survey of their fans and market research with residents throughout Connecticut. Studio Simon of Louisville, KY -- one of the premier brand-identifying firms working with Minor League Baseball -- created the final version adopted by the Rock Cats.

According to Dan Simon, President of the Studio that bears his name, "The good people in New Britain presented us with a daunting challenge - develop a new logo that achieved a visual connection with the Rock Cats' existing identity, yet have it stand out from the many other cat-themed logos that already exist. We are particularly proud of the result of our efforts as we believe it achieves both goals via a clean, easily identifiable icon that captures the unique spirit of Rock Cats Baseball."

The new primary logo will soon be featured on the Rock Cats' official letterhead, in Eastern League transmissions, and on the New Britain Stadium façade and interior as well as Rock Cats t-shirts, caps, and other merchandise.

In addition to the above, the Rock Cats will also wear a new Team Cap for home games at New Britain Stadium in 2007 -- also designed by Studio Simon -- which will feature a playful black, white and gray "RC", topped by four sharp cat claws. This Home Cap logo will appear on a red hat with black brim. The Team Cap for away games in 2007 will continue to feature the red, white and blue blended lower case "nb", sitting on a white baseball streaking from right-to-left.

Additional information and graphics related to the updated primary logo and 2007 Home Cap design are available at www.rockcats.com.

The Rock Cats -- including Rocky -- will be making a series of community visits today to introduce the new logo to some of their most faithful fans. Team personnel will be visiting the following locations and all are invited to join us:

11:00 AM - New Horizons Village (37 Bliss Road, Farmington)

11:00 AM - Klingberg Family Center (370 Linwood Street, New Britain)

11:30 AM - Connecticut Children's Medical Center (282 Washington Street, Hartford)

3:15 PM - Smalley Academy Afterschool Program (175 West Street, New Britain)

The Rock Cats extend their sincere appreciation to all fans who participated in either the website survey, the local market research effort, or otherwise assisted the Club in making this modification. And while the Rock Cats' primary logo may be refreshed and changed for the better - the franchise's on-going commitment to providing their fans with affordable, fan-friendly professional entertainment, has not. Nor ever will.

The Rock Cats will be expressing their appreciation to their amazing fans this Saturday (10/21) when they host their Fall Family Classic from 12 Noon to 6:00 PM at New Britain Stadium. The stadium will be opened up to families and fans of all ages with ball park food, a variety of inflatables and electronic games, arts and crafts, raffles and giveaways, Stadium tours - and much more. Admission and all activities will be free. Team merchandise featuring the club's new primary logo and Home Team cap will be on display and available for interested fans to purchase.