Vermont Mountaineers
| Vermont Mountaineers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| League | NECBL (Northern Division) | |||
| Location | Montpelier, Vermont (2003–present) | |||
| Ballpark | Montpelier Recreation Field (2003–present) | |||
| Year founded | 2003 | |||
| Nickname(s) | Mountainmen,[1] Neers | |||
| League championships | 3 (2006, 2007, 2015) | |||
| Post-Season Division championships | 5 (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2015) | |||
| Regular-Season Division championships | 2 (2006, 2015) | |||
| Former league(s) |
| |||
| Colors |
Green, White | |||
| Mascot | Skip | |||
| Ownership | Board of Directors | |||
| Management | Brian Gallagher (GM) | |||
| Manager | Joe Brown (Cortland) | |||
| Media | Radio: Joe Hutter | |||
| Website | thevermontmountaineers.com | |||
The Vermont Mountaineers are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Montpelier, Vermont. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays their home games at Montpelier Recreation Field.
History
In 2001, local citizens formed "Green Mountain Community Baseball", an organization formed in hopes of attracting an NECBL franchise to Montpelier, Vermont. In September of the following year the NECBL voted to award a franchise to the group.[2] The team's name, the Vermont Mountaineers, was chosen from more than 300 fan entries.[3]
John Russo has been the team's manager since 2004 and has held some role with the team since its arrival in the league. General Manager Brian Gallagher has also been present since the team's inception.
The team's first game was on June 7, 2003, an 8-5 loss to the Manchester Silkworms. The game's attendance of 2,471 set a then-NECBL record for single game attendance.[4] Although their inaugural season was not a success on the field (the Mountaineers had the second-worst record in the NECBL),[5] it was in terms of attendance, with the club leading the league in average attendance per game. Nearly 35,000 fans watched the Mountaineers at Montpelier Recreation Field that season.
After reaching the playoffs in 2004, the team has enjoyed playoff success, qualifying for the playoffs in six of their first seven seasons, including an active streak of six consecutive years. They have reached the NECBL Championship Series four times (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009), winning it twice (2006, 2007). Three of their four finals appearances have come against the Newport Gulls.
Postseason appearances
| Year | Division Semi-Finals | Division Finals | NECBL Championship Series | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont Mountaineers | ||||||
| 2004 | Keene Swamp Bats | L (0-2) | ||||
| 2005 | Holyoke Giants | W (2-0) | Keene Swamp Bats | W (2-1) | Newport Gulls | L (0-2) |
| 2006 | Holyoke Giants | W (2-0) | Sanford Mainers | W (2-1) | Torrington Twisters | W (2-0) |
| 2007 | Keene Swamp Bats | W (2-0) | Holyoke Giants | W (2-0) | Newport Gulls | W (2-0) |
| 2008 | Sanford Mainers | L (1-2) | ||||
| 2009 | North Adams SteepleCats | W (2-0) | Holyoke Blue Sox | W (2-0) | Newport Gulls | L (1-2) |
| 2011 | Holyoke Blue Sox | L (0-2) | ||||
| 2012 | Keene Swamp Bats | L (0-2) | ||||
| 2013 | North Adams SteepleCats | W (2-0) | Keene Swamp Bats | L (1-2) | ||
| 2014 | Laconia Muskrats | W (2-0) | Sanford Mainers | L (2-0) | ||
| 2015 | Laconia Muskrats | W (2-0) | North Adams SteepleCats | W (2-1) | Mystic Schooners | W (2-1) |
Records
Below is a list of all-time New England Collegiate Baseball League records set by the Mountaineers.[6]
Team
- Putouts – 1141, 2006.
- Most triple plays in a season – 2, against the Keene Swamp Bats
- Stolen bases in a game – 11 against the Manchester Silkworms on 7/31/08.
- Stolen bases in a season – 118, 2011.
- Runs in a game – 26, 2012 (Record shared with two (2) other teams).
- Runs in a game, combined – 41, 2012
Individual
- Sacrifice Bunts – 11 by Matt Smith, 2004 and Zach Babitt, 2010.
- Most saves – 16 by Mark Murray, 2006.
- RBI's in a season – 45 by Rob Kelly, 2012.
- Opponent batting average – .135 by John Miles, 2013.
Awards
End of season awards
- 2004 Top Relief Pitcher – McKenzie Willoughby (co-winner)[7]
- 2005 Sportsmanship Award – Matt Rizzotti[8]
- 2005 Manager of the Year – John Russo
- 2006 Defensive Player of the Year – Curt Smith[9]
- 2006 Top Relief Pitcher – Mark Murray
- 2006 Sportsmanship Award – Robbie Minor
- 2006 Rookie of the Year – Chris Friedrich
- 2007 10th Player Award – A. J. Pollock[10]
- 2008 Most Improved Player – Alejandro Balsinde[11]
- 2014 Rookie of the Year – Blake Tiberi
All-NECBL Team
- 2005 – First Team: 1B Matt Rizzotti; Second Team: 3B Miguel Magrass.[8]
- 2006 – First Team: P Joe Esposito, SS Robbie Minor, P Mark Murray, 3B Curt Smith, C Zach Zaneski; Second Team: P Chris Friedrich, 2B Troy Krider.[9]
- 2007 – First Team: 1B Mike Sheridan, DH Curt Smith; Second team OF AJ Pollock.[10]
- 2008 – Second Team P Casey Harman.[11]
- 2009 – First Team OF Henry Dunn, C Jayson Hernandez; Second Team P Rob Kumbatovic.[12]
Attendance
From their inception the Mountaineers have had some of the league's largest attendance figures. In their inaugural season the Mountaineers enjoyed the highest average attendance in the league and have consistently been near the top of the league in this category since.[13]
Attendance figures
| Season | Game Avg. | League Rk. |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1,666 | 1st |
| 2004 | 1,643 | 3rd |
| 2005 | 1,707 | 2nd |
| 2006 | 1,754 | 2nd |
| 2007 | 1,518 | 3rd |
| 2008 | 1,720 | 3rd |
| 2009 | 1,350 | 3rd |
| 2010 | 1,038 | 4th |
| 2011 | 1,743 | 3rd |
| 2012 | 1,498 | 2nd |
2004 All-Star Game
The 2004 NECBL All-Star Game drew 4,127 fans to Montpelier Recreation Field, which set a then-NECBL record for All-Star Game attendance. Vermont's Northern Division squad was defeated by the Southern Division 7-4.[14] The record has since been broken at the 2009 NECBL All-Star Game hosted by the Holyoke Blue Sox. The 2009 game attracted 4,906 fans to Mackenzie Stadium in Holyoke, Massachusetts.[15] However, the mark set in 2004 remains a Montpelier Recreation Field record.[14]
Pro alumni
Below is a list of Mountaineers alumni who have gone on to play professional baseball. The alumni are sorted by peak level of baseball in which they have participated. In total, 44 Mountaineers have signed professional contracts after playing for Vermont.[16]
As of November 7, 2009.
MLB
| Player | Year w/ VER | Current/Most recent team | Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. J. Pollock [17] | 2007 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Yes |
AAA
| Player | Year w/ VER | Current/Most recent team | Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jud Thigpen[18] | 2003 | Brockton Rox (Ind.) | Yes |
| Rob Delaney[19] | 2005 | Rochester Red Wings (AAA) | Yes |
| Zach Zaneski[20] | 2005, 2006 | Oklahoma RedHawks (AAA) | Yes |
AA
| Player | Year w/ VER | Current/Most recent team | Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Blazek[21] | 2004 | Corpus Christi Hooks (AA) | No |
| Blake Lalli[22] | 2004 | Tennessee Smokies (AA) | Yes |
| Matt Smith[23] | 2004 | Binghamton Mets (AA) | No |
| Darin Mastroianni[24] | 2004, 2005 | New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA) | Yes |
| Bryan Rembisz[25] | 2006 | Arkansas Travelers (AA) | Yes |
| Curt Smith[26] | 2006, 2007 | Springfield Cardinals (AA) | Yes |
| Matt Rizzotti[27] | 2005 | Reading Phillies (AA) | Yes |
A-Advanced
The following Mountaineer alumni have advanced as far as Class A-Advanced: Randy Roth (Mountaineers 2003), Steve Bronder (2004), Robbie Minor (2004, 2005, 2006), David Carpenter[28] (2005), Dan Merklinger[28] (2005), Joe Esposito[29] (2006), Josh Satow[30] (2006), Chris Friedrich[31] (2007)
A
The following Mountaineer alumni have advanced as far as Class A: Jon Dobyns (Mountaineers 2003), Carl Galloway (2003), Beau McMillan (2003), Joe Billick[32] (2004), Anthony Smith[33] (2004), Jim Wladyka[34] (2004), Mike Sheridan[35] (2007)
Short Season A
The following Mountaineer alumni have advanced as far as A-Short Season: Blake Hanan (Mountaineers 2003), Brett Nagy (2003), Craig Newton (2003), David Kennedy (2004), Gerald Ogrinc (2007, 2008), Sean Grieve[36] (2006), Chad Durakis (2007), Justin Gutsie (2007)
Rookie-Advanced
The following Mountaineer alumni have advanced as far as Rookie-Advanced Class: Danny Sullivan (Mountaineers 2003), Kevin Brophy (2005, 2006), Alex Curry (2007)
Rookie
The following Mountaineer alumni have advanced as far as Rookie Class: Josh Santerre (Mountaineers 2004), Nick Hall (2005)
Independent
The following Mountaineer alumni have advanced as far as Independent league baseball: Marco Garza (Mountaineers 2003), Josh Gaub (2003), Troy Krider (2005), Miguel Magrass[37] (2005, 2006), Mark Murray (2005, 2006)
Broadcasting
The following former Mountaineer broadcasters have gone on to broadcast in professional baseball: Tim Hagerty-AAA (Mountaineers 2003), Kyle Berger-A (2004), Scott Montesano -Ind. (2005),[38] Jonathan Barr-Ind. (2006), Paul Roper-Ind. (2007, currently broadcasting in the OHL), Carmine Vetrano -AHL/FHL/CanAm. (2010, currently broadcasting in American Hockey League, Federal Hockey League, and Can-Am League),[39]
Note-Bold denotes alumnus' still being active in professional baseball.
Media
Wcax.com, an area online news website run by WCAX-TV, produces reports and video highlights of Mountaineers games.[40] The Barre Montpelier Times Argus, a local newspaper, also provides press coverage of games.[41] The games are broadcast on WSKI CBS Sports Radio 1240[42] and on Teamline[43] internet audio/video.
References
- ↑ Holyoke Loses Game One Versus Mountaineers, Heads to the Mack' for Game Two at necbl.com, URL accessed August 17, 2009
- ↑ Green Mountain Community Baseball Field Montpelier, Vermont Archived May 4, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. at dufresnegroup.com
- ↑ Baseball in Vermont at thevermontmountaineers.com, URL accessed August 17, 2009
- ↑ VER v. MAN Boxscore 6/7/03 Archived October 23, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. at necbl.com, URL accessed August 17, 2009
- ↑ 2003 Standings Archived October 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. at necbl.com
- ↑ NECBL Record Book Archived July 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. at necbl.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ 2004 Awards Archived 2010-01-02 at WebCite at necbl.com, URL accessed August 19, 2009
- 1 2 2005 Awards Archived 2010-01-02 at WebCite at necbl.com, URL accessed August 19, 2009
- 1 2 2006 Awards Archived October 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. at necbl.com, URL accessed August 19, 2009
- 1 2 2007 Awards Archived May 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. at necbl.com, URL accessed August 19, 2009
- 1 2 2008 Awards Archived December 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. at necbl.com, URL accessed August 19, 2009
- ↑ 2009 Awards Archived 2010-01-02 at WebCite at necbl.com, URL accessed August 21, 2009
- ↑ NECBL team statistics archive Archived October 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. at necbl.com, URL accessed December 21, 2008
- 1 2 Southern Division All-Stars Outshine Northern Division, 7-4 Archived May 9, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. by Kyle Berger at necbl.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ 2009 ASG Boxscore Archived July 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. at necbl.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Alumni at thevermontmountaineers.com, URL accessed August 17, 2009
- ↑ A.J. Pollock at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed December 12, 2012
- ↑ Jud Thigpen at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Rob Delaney at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Zack Zaneski at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 7, 2009
- ↑ Chris Blazek at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Blake Lalli at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Matt Smith at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Darin Mastroianni at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Bryan Rembisz at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Curt Smith at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Matt Rizzotti at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- 1 2 Dan Merlinger at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Joe Esposito at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 7, 2009
- ↑ Josh Satow at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 7, 2009
- ↑ Chris Friedrich at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Joe Billick at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Anthony Smith at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Jim Wladyka at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Mike Sheridan at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Sean Grieve at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Miguel Magrass at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Scott Montesano at staatalent.com, URL accessed November 9, 2009. Archived 2009-11-09 at WebCite 11/9/09
- ↑ at goerie.com, URL accessed April 15, 2010
- ↑ Vermont Mountaineers Win Season Opener at wcax.com
- ↑ NECBL team peaked for the playoffs at timesargus.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Mountaineers' Wild Walkoff Forces Game Three at thevermontmountaineers.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
- ↑ Vermont Mountaineers at teamline.cc
