Under an agreement announced today between the Blue Crabs and the New Britain Bees, the Atlantic League’s newest team, Patrick Day will serve as the Bee’s first general manager to launch the club in 2016 while continuing to oversee the Blue Crabs business operations.

“I am honored to have been asked help start this new team in New Britain,” said Day. “I actually saw my very first professional baseball game as a child in New Britain and I still have family in the area. This will be a homecoming and a real labor of love,” Day added.

Although moving to New Britain for the 2016 season, Day will continue to oversee business operations of the Blue Crabs. “We are fortunate to have a ‘deep bench’ in the organization,” said Day. “Courtney Knichel will be assuming the role of Blue Crabs General Manager in the transition, and we will also be adding some new staff members. Courtney is, of course, well known in the community having been with the Blue Crabs since our first game in 2008.”

“This is an extraordinary opportunity and one that I am very humbled to accept,” said Knichel, a lifelong Southern Maryland resident. “I’ve been with the Blue Crabs since the inception of the team, helping to build it from the ground up.  I can’t thank the ownership group enough for the trust they are bestowing upon me and I am looking very forward to all of the excitement that the 2016 season is sure to bring!”