the double-a pawsox' owner, joe buzas, selected bristol as the site for his relocated el franchise. the city had previously hosted the bristol owls of the class b colonial league in 1949–50 (the league disbanded on july 14, 1950) and the "tramps", "bellmakers" and "woodchoppers" of the connecticut state league at the turn of the 20th century (1897; 1899–1901).