Previous to the Blues, Ansonia had hosted the
Ansonia Cuban Giants who integrated the
Connecticut State League, playing in the 1888 and 1891 seasons. The Ansonia "Blues" became members of the
Independent level
Naugatuck Valley League in 1896. Formed for the 1896 season, with league founder
Jim O'Rourke helping organize the league teams, Ansonia and the Naugatuck Valley League teams began play on May 6, 1896, as a six–team league. A
Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, Jim O'Rourke was owner/player/manager for the Bridgeport team, and was instrumental in forming both the Bridgeport franchise and the league members themselves after returning to his hometown of Bridgeport upon ending his major league career. After the 1896 season, with Jim O'Rourke still organizing the league, four Naugatuck Valley League teams continued play as members of the renamed 1897
Connecticut League. The Bridgeport, Derby, Torrington and Winstead teams continued play, adding Bristol and Meriden teams. The Ansonia franchise did not continue play in the new league. ==The ballpark==