Northeast League (baseball) - New Haven County Cutters

New Haven Unveils Nickname

TEAM TO BE CALLED CUTTERS

Between them, New Haven and West Haven professional baseball teams have had at least 15 names dating back to the 1800s.

In what is believed to be a first, the name of the new team in the independent Northeast League which starts play at Yale Field this summer will, in effect, represent all of New Haven County.

The team announced its new name Tuesday as the New Haven County Cutters.

A vote by fans resulted in some 1,250 entries being reviewed.

“In the end, Cutters came out to be a very popular choice for a nickname, and we felt the county-wide name fit what we are trying to do,” said President Rick Handelman. “We want everyone from Milford to Madison and north to Waterbury and Meriden to feel a part of this team.”

The nickname Cutters has two meanings which have applications to this situation. A cutter is any Coast Guard vessel over 65 feet in length, and New Haven has a Coast Guard station, complete with its own ice-breaking tug called the Bollard. The name also is used to describe heavy rowboats carried on the side of large ships.

And in baseball terms, a cut fastball or cutter can be one of a pitcher’s best friends when he wants to maintain good velocity with late movement as it reaches home plate. New York Yankees bullpen ace Mariano Rivera is one who excels with the cutter.

“It seems like we went from A to Z talking about New Haven names, West Haven names and Connecticut names,” said General Manager Tim Kelly. “Next steps include colors, logos uniforms and a mascot. By comparison, those should be easy.”

The Cutters will open their initial season on the road against the Elmira (NY) Pioneers May 27, then start a seven-game homestand against the Allentown (PA) Ambassadors on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31

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