Minor league baseball began in Winsted, Connecticut in 1896, when the Winsted "Welcomes" became members of the six–team
Independent level
Naugatuck Valley League. With league founder
Jim O'Rourke helping organize the league teams, Winsted and the Naugatuck Valley League teams began play on May 6, 1896. A
Baseball Hall of Fame member, Jim O'Rourke was owner/player/manager for the Bridgeport team. after returning to his hometown of Bridgeport upon ending his major league career, O'Rourke was instrumental in forming both the Bridgeport team and the other league members franchises. The 1896 team was also referred to as the "Winsted Blues" After the 1896 season, with Jim O'Rourke organizing the league, three Naugatuck Valley League teams continued play as members of the renamed 1897
Connecticut League, but the Winsted franchise was not a member of the new six–team league. ==The ballpark==