Berkshire Black Bears

Northern League (2002)
Northeast League (2003)

Tombstone

Born: October 2001 – The Massachusetts Mad Dogs relocate to Pittsfield, MA
Moved: December 2003 (New Haven County Cutters)

First Game: May 24, 2002 (W 2-1 vs. Allentown Ambassadors)
Last Game: September 1, 2003 (L 14-6 vs. Brockton Rox)

Northern League Championships: None

Stadium

Wahconah Park (4,000)¹

Dimensions (2003): LF 334′, CF 374′, RF 333′

Ownership & Affiliation

Major League Affiliation: Independent

Owner: Jonathan Fleisig

Attendance

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Print Download

Source: The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (3rd ed.), Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, 2007

Foul Ball

My Fight to Save an Old Ballpark

By Jim Bouton

“Now in his fifth decade of telling the truth no matter the consequences, Bouton proves that a badly-run city government can be just as dangerous – and just as hilarious – as a badly-run baseball team.”

-Keith Olbermann, Broadcaster

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Background

The Berkshire Black Bears were an effort to establish independent professional baseball at historic Wahconah Park in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The Northern League club arrived in Pittsfield close on the heels of the departing Pittsfield Astros of the Major League-affiliated New York-Penn League.

Former Boston Red Sox slugger George “Boomer” Scott managed the Black Bears in the first season in 2002. Scott had a history in Pittsfield. As a 21-year old prospect in 1965, he won the Eastern League triple crown in 1965 with the Pittsfield Red Sox. His managerial tenure would not be as successful. The Black Bears finished in last place with a 24-65 record in 2002. Scott was dismissed at the end of the season.

The team improved only marginally in 2003 under new field manager Darren Bush. The Black Bears’ 41-51 record left them outside the playoffs once again.

The Black Bears moved to New Haven, Connecticut in December 2003. The franchise eventually folded once and for all in October 2007 after four seasons in Connecticut.