PLYMOUTH - Tracy Chevrolet has become the first corporate sponsor of the Plymouth River Eels, after months of speculation on whether the team would be able to remain in Plymouth.

The car dealership will have its name and logo displayed on top of the River Eels dugout for the entire season, a location sought after by many businesses, according to Tom O’Brien, president and CEO of Bay Colony Baseball and Athletics, the River Eels’ parent company.

Tracy Chevrolet is well known for its support of school sports teams, the Boys and Girl Club, and other local organizations.

“Everybody’s very excited about professional baseball coming to Plymouth,” O’Brien said. “We’re happy to report it’s not an if but a when.”

Jeff Tracy, general manager of Tracy Chevrolet, said he heard of the team’s need for sponsors while talking to friends who were involved with the organization. The company has signed a contract to sponsor the team for 10 years.

“We’re really excited to be a part of the team and a sponsor,” Tracy said.

Announcing the sponsorship Monday, O’Brien also talked about the next steps the organization would take. Designs are in the works for a $34.5 million, 5,000-seat, open-air stadium to be located on a 28.1-acre site at Colony Place in West Plymouth. Plans have not yet been filed, and O’Brien said setting any exact date would not be practical given the enormity of the project.

“To put specific timelines behind this would not be conducive to our goal,” O’Brien said. “To give a specific date would be impractical.”

The foundation for the River Eels was laid five years ago, when a subcommittee was formed to determine the best town for the team. Despite overtures from many other communities, Plymouth was selected, and one year ago the company was started. In some cases, land was offered in return for the River Eels selecting another town.

O’Brien said the team would not be playing by the end of Fiscal Year 2007, but told members of the audience that things were ’right on schedule.’

“We’re working with the town on filing plans,” O’Brien said.

More announcements in the next few weeks according to O’Brien, who added that other sponsors were “in the pipeline.” So far, more than 1,200 season tickets have been purchased. Mike Rothberg, COO of the Plymouth River Eels, said the addition of the team to the town can help attract more visitors to Plymouth.

A general manager and coach of the team have not been chosen, but applications have come in from all over the country.

January 31, 2007 | Old Colony Memorial   By Max Bowen, CNC Newspapers