Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
From SoSH
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball was founded in 1998 and is one of many Independent Baseball Leagues in Minor League Baseball. The Atlantic League's area is New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Jersey. Play is characterized at the Double-A level.
Contents |
League Information
The mission of The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Inc. ("AL") is to bring a high level of professional baseball and affordable family entertainment to selected communities not presently being served by Major League or Minor League teams. The AL began play in 1998.
The AL assembled top minor league operators and General Managers with extremely successful track records - Albany-Colonie Yankees, Wilmington Blue Rocks, New Haven Ravens and Prince William Cannons.
- AL managers, coaches, and player development staff all have Major League experience, e.g., Bud Harrelson, Rick Wise, Joe Klein, Sparky Lyle, Tommy Herr, Ellie Rodriguez, Dave LaPoint and Wayne Krenchicki.
- AL player development will allow for a National Basketball Association-Continental Basketball Association type relationship allowing players maximum flexibility to play into the Major Leagues.
- New AL facilities will fully comply with "Facility Standards" as defined by the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Inc. ("NA"), the governing body of minor league baseball. Players will be assured of field conditions that meet or exceed the standards for "Triple A" classification NA facilities. Communities must demonstrate market size sufficient to support a minimum ballpark size of 5,000 to 7,500 seats.
- The AL has the potential to play an important role in reducing Major League costs in player development.
- Each team in the AL will be operated by an experienced, proven minor league owner to assure the highest quality affordable family entertainment to the community. Selection, training, development and evaluation of players, coaches and managers will be under the direction of Joe Klein. Major League standards of player development and evaluation will be adhered to by the AL.
Teams
Current
Liberty Division
Freedom Division
Past
- Atlantic City Surf
- Aberdeen Arsenal
- Lehigh Valley Black Diamonds
- Newburgh Black Diamonds
- Nashua Pride
- Road Warriors
Alumni
Since its inception in 1998, the Atlantic League has been home to professional ball players both in the early stages of their careers as well as the latter stages. Quite simply, playing in the Atlantic League means different things to different players. The league has seen such Major League players as Jose Canseco, Ruben Sierra, Tim Raines, Jose Lima, Rickey Henderson, Dante Bichette, Pete Incaviglia, Curtis Pride, Carlos Baerga, Jim Leyritz, Brendan Donnelly, Joe Borowski, Jose Offerman, Bobby Hill, Henry Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez, Deivi Cruz, Edgardo Alfonzo and countless others. Some of these players were looking for another Major League chance and played in the Atlantic League to stay involved in baseball, while others simply wanted to remain in the game as long as they possibly could. In its eight years of existence, the Atlantic League has served as the home for over 300 players who have Major League experience under their belt, more than 70 in the 2005 season.
League Champions
- 1998 Atlantic City Surf
- 1999 Bridgeport Bluefish
- 2000 Nashua Pride
- 2001 Somerset Patriots
- 2002 Newark Bears
- 2003 Somerset Patriots
- 2004 Long Island Ducks
- 2005 Somerset Patriots
- 2006 Lancaster Barnstormers
- 2007 Newark Bears
