The Atlantic League opens its season much earlier than any of the other Independent baseball leagues. Although that's good news for fans of the eight teams in the circuit, the weather can be the most difficult opponent this time of the year. The average high and low temperatures for this date are 60 and 44 degrees, respectively, but it can get much colder than that. The record low temperature for today is 33 degrees, set in 1967.
April is one of the wettest months of the year, too. The average rainfall for the month is just about four inches (3.99"). There have been some memorable April rainstorms recently, including 5.30" of rain which fell on April 23, 2006. Four dates brought record rainfall of over three inches, most recently 3.34" on April 21, 2000; 3.08" on April 13, 2004; and 3.02" on April 15, 2007.
There are 10 dates this month on which measured snow fell, including a half-inch on April 19, 1953. Nearly four inches of snow fell (3.7") as late as April 14 in 1950. It can also get quite windy in April, as Spring establishes its grip on southwestern Connecticut. The ballpark, which is located adjacent to Long Island Sound, can be a chilly place for spectators when the wind blows off the water during the evening hours. Many times fans bring blankets and heavy jackets during April and May.
The Bluefish, who lost a one-game playoff last season, won their only league championship on a cold September night at the Ballpark in 1999. Bridgeport, by the way, is one of only two original teams still in the league. Somerset, a five-time Atlantic League champion, is the other.
As for today's weather, early sunshine will fade behind increasing cloudiness with a chance of scattered showers late this afternoon and this evening. Daytime high temperatures will hold close to 60 degrees. Any showers will end after midnight with lows in the 40s. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny, windy, and cool with a high in the upper 50s. The weekend should be fair and dry with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s.
Paul
