Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Lake Monsters announced today that the team will have new ownership and a new partner league when it takes the field this summer. The Vermont Expos, Inc, have agreed in principle to sell the Lake Monsters to the investment group, Nos Amours Baseball Club. The group is led by Chris English a long time affiliated, independent and college summer league owner & operator. The intent is to continue to play at 38-game home schedule from May to August in Burlington. The team would be comprised of college players, but using wooden bats like the professional teams.
This deal is contingent on a few agreements, including a new lease from the University of Vermont, which owns Historic Centennial Field. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“We have all been fortunate to be able to share our summer evenings with you over the past 28 years. The landscape has changed and this transition will allow the Lake Monsters to create amazing summertime memories for years to come,”, said Kyle Bostwick Lake Monsters Vice President. “We are all looking forward to continuing to root for the home team, and we thank all of our fans, partners, staff, and supporters for an amazing ride.”
A formal announcement will be made when the sale of the ballclub is complete.
But Bostwick and General Manager Joe Doud both told VBM that they will not be part of the new team.
Bostwick said, in part, in an email to VBM: "Following the announcement today, I am writing to let you know that the Vermont Lake Monsters have been purchased and will have a new owner, Nos Amours Baseball Club LLC, led by Chris English. This is exciting news for the Burlington community as it guarantees that Vermont Lake Monsters baseball will remain at Centennial Field for many years to come. Chris understands the importance the Lake Monsters have had in the community, and plans to continue that tradition, along with adding some wonderful fan amenities to Centennial Field for all to enjoy.
"The Lake Monsters will be joining a new league for the 2021 season, the Futures League, an exciting collegiate wooden bat league and home of future stars of Major League Baseball. They will continue to play a 38-home game schedule starting in late May and wrapping up in mid-August. The ballpark atmosphere will continue to be the same family fun that everyone has grown to expect on a beautiful summer night at historic Centennial Field.
"While I am excited for the future of the Lake Monsters, I have made the decision to move on to other opportunities but will leave you in great hands for this transition. You may know him as a familiar face at the ballpark -- CJ Knudsen, the former General Manager of the Vermont Lake Monsters, has returned to serve as the Senior Vice President for the club."
Doud said in an email to VBM: "We have been diligently working on this transition for the past couple months and are still ironing a few details out to make everything as smooth as possible while the agreement closes. The sale was completed on great terms -- all of our full-time staff were offered the opportunity to continue our careers with the organization under the new ownership, but I have made the decision to pursue another opportunity.
"I am going to help as much as I can during the transition and am happy to assist you in any way regarding the Lake Monsters...
"I want to thank you for all of your support of our organization. It is challenging to describe what our relationship has meant to me -- it has truly been my pleasure to work with you. During my time with the team, the Lake Monsters were a part of some really special moments and it is because of the support of our partners that these memories were able to happen. Thank you!
"While I will always look fondly back on my time with the Lake Monsters, I am very excited for my next adventure, working with Vermont Mortgage Company, right up the street from where I sit now in Burlington. They are a longstanding supporter of the Lake Monsters and our local community, and I look forward to continuing to build on my personal and professional network while being a part of their team. I have spent some time with their staff over the past couple of weeks and can’t wait to officially start there. This is a great opportunity to stay in touch with many of you that I have worked with over the years, and continue developing on a professional level.
"I cannot thank you enough for the support over the past 12 years I have spent with the Lake Monsters."
Statement from Mayor Miro Weinberger:
“The sale of the Vermont Lake Monsters marks the end of a great era of baseball in Burlington. Thank you to Ray Pecor and Kyle Bostwick, the hundreds of players who wore the uniform, and the enthusiastic Lake Monster employees who have made a night at Centennial Field a unique and joyous experience for the last quarter-century. We welcome the new ownership group and league to Burlington with the hope that this is the beginning of yet another great chapter of baseball in the Queen City.”
Source: Vermont Lake Monsters 2.25.2021