Connecticut Tigers General Manager Andrew Weber will step down at the end of this month and Vice President of Operations C.J. Knudsen will replace Weber as Vice President and General Manager, the minor league baseball team announced Thursday.

Weber has been with the team for four years and led the effort to move to Norwich at the start of the 2010 baseball season. The late move that spring hurt the ability to sell tickets and sponsorships, but this past summer the Tigers ranked fourth in the nation among teams in all levels of minor league baseball in improved attendance.

He also helped bring a 2010 NCAA Regional tournament to the Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium and created the Eastern Connecticut Conference high school baseball game of the week there.

Weber called his departure a "tough and bittersweet decision," but felt it was time to move on and seek a new position in baseball.

"I do want to stay in baseball," Weber said. "We'll see what opportunities come my way. It has been an absolute pleasure here. The last two years have been great here. I know that with our staff, it's going to be awesome and will continue to grow."

"Andrew did a wonderful job leading the club and he will certainly be missed," said Tigers President Miles Prentice. "His contributions to the club have been invaluable and we look forward to continuing the success he started for years to come."

Knudsen joined the Tigers with the team's move to Norwich after having spent 10 years as general manager of the Vermont Lake Monsters in the New York-Penn League. He has worked for 17 years in the league in which the Tigers play.

Eric Knighton has been promoted to vice president and assistant general manager.

Knudsen said the Tigers have remained busy since the baseball season ended Labor Day weekend. The Tigers hosted a successful Octoberfest last Saturday.

- Claire Bessette