TheMystic Schoonersare acollegiate summer baseballteam that operates in theMystic, Connecticutregion. The franchise is one of the two oldest franchises in theNew England Collegiate Baseball League.
| Mystic Schooners | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| League | NECBL(Southern Division) |
| Location |
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| Ballpark | Fitch Senior High School(2011-2021; 2024-Present) |
| Founded | 1994 |
| League championships | 2 (1994, 2016) |
| Former name(s) |
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| Former league(s) |
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| Former ballparks |
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| Colors | Black, White, Blue |
| Ownership | Dennis Long |
| Management | Dennis Long (GM) 2012 - present |
| Manager | Phil Orbe 2012 - 2017, 2019 - present |
| Website | www |
Originally known as the Eastern Tides, and later the Thread City Tides, playing inWillimantic, Connecticut,the franchise was purchased by formerBoston Red SoxGeneral ManagerDan Duquettein 2004. Duquette's club was first known as the Berkshire Dukes, playing their home games at theDan Duquette Sports AcademyinHinsdale, Massachusetts.Duquette moved the team to nearbyPittsfieldin 2005 after reaching a lease agreement with the city that brought the Dukes to historicWahconah Park.In November 2008 the team changed its name to the Pittsfield American Defenders after the ownership group that owned theAmerican Defenders of New Hampshire,which included Duquette, bought into the team.
The team had struggled to compete in the NECBL since moving toBerkshire County,and did not enjoy a winning season or a playoff berth until 2008. The team's level of play has rebounded greatly since the disastrous summer of 2005, where the Dukes finished at a league-worst 11–31, the fourth fewest wins in NECBL history. The Defenders' fan base has continued to grow despite the team's struggles on the field, with a reported home attendance of 28,955 in 2007, the fourth-highest in the league.[1]
In December 2009, the Defenders were sold to the Bristol Collegiate Baseball Club which moved the original franchise back to its beginning state of Connecticut.[2]
On January 14, 2009, it was announced that the team's nickname would be the Bristol Nine, and team general manager Dan Kennedy unveiled a logo featuring "...the old looking player and the old style hat and the man with the mustache and the whole nine yards." The logo's design was credited to Bristol resident Brian Rooney.[3][4]Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that the logo in question was actually the trademarked property of Top of the Third, Incorporated, owners of a minor-professional baseball team inVisalia, California.The logo, the creation of graphic designer Dan Simon, had originally been used by the California League's Mudville Nine. The Bristol Nine name was then abandoned, with team management adopting the Bristol Collegiate Baseball Club brand.
Following a one-year stint in Bristol, the team moved toMystic, Connecticutfor the2011 seasonand was rebranded as theMystic Schooners.[5]
Franchise history
editNECBL charter franchise and championships
editThe only remaining charter franchise in the NECBL, the Schooners began play as the Eastern Tides in 1994 inWillimantic, Connecticut.The team originally played home games atEastern Connecticut State University.TheNCAA Division IIIballparkwould remain the home of the Tides throughout their history in Connecticut. The New England Collegiate Baseball League was founded in 1993 as a five-team Connecticut league, where the Tides were the easternmost team, hence the name. Eastern was the only charter franchise to not take the name of its host community, Willimantic, which itself is acensus-designated placein the town ofWindham.
The first season for the Tides would result in the franchise's first and only league championship. 1994 was the first (and last) season in league history that used a point system to determine the league playoff contenders, modeled after the system used by theCape Cod Baseball League.Eastern finished the first round in third place at 10-10, 5 games back of the first placeBristol Nighthawks.However, the second half of the season saw Eastern rebound to a 14–5 record (not including one tied ballgame that was never finished), good enough for first place, a game and a half ahead of theMiddletown Giants.Overall, the Tides ended the regular season with a record of 27-17-1.
Eastern went on to defeat Bristol in the only best-of-five championship series in NECBL history. After falling in Game 1 3–2 at Bristol'sMuzzy Field,Eastern rebounded to win the next two games at home, 3-2 and 3–1. The Tides traveled back toBristolfor Game 4, dropping the contest 4–3, before returning home toEastern Connecticut State University's baseball field for a decisive Game 5, where the team crushed Bristol 11–2.[1][permanent dead link]University of New HavencatcherBill Buscettowas the championship seriesMVP,batting.409 with 4RBI.The win would crown the Eastern Tides as the first champions in NECBL history.
In 2016, the Mystic Schooners posted the best regular season record in the league (29-15) and won the Southern Division Championship by sweeping theNewport Gullsfor the second year in a row. This set up a league championship series against theSanford Mainers.Mystic swept the series behind all league playersNick Mascelli(Wagner College),Chase Lunceford(Louisiana Tech),Rich Slenker(Yale),Martin Figueroa(Rhode Island) andToby Handley(Stony Brook) to win its second NECBL Championship.
Struggles at home
editIn 1995, the Tides again had a successful season, finishing in third place, at 19–21. Eastern fell in the first-ever league semi-finals, however, to theWaterbury Barons,two games to none. Tides player John Ellis, son of formerMajor League BaseballplayerJohn Charles Elliswas named to the NECBL All-League team, while fellow team member and Player of the WeekSteven Hinewent on to found the Steven Hine School of Baseball[2].Both members of the Tides later hadminor league baseballcareers.
The 1996 season began a long stretch of troubles for the Tides, as they finished in fifth place at 13–26, not qualifying for the postseason. In 1997, Eastern finished in sixth and last place, at 17–23. In those two seasons,Vermontassistant and futureManhattanandMainehead coachSteve Trimperserved as the team's head coach. In 1998, at 15–27, the Tides again finished in sixth, though not in last place in the league.
The team's struggles fielding a competitive club continued in 1999, however, as the team once again finished in last - this time in eighth place in the NECBL. At 9-30, the Tides' 1999 season would stand as an embarrassing worst record in the league's history, 17 games back of first place. The Tides would finish seventh in 2000, with just 14 wins and 25 losses. As the franchise continued to falter on the field, so did the team's attendance. Before long, it became apparent that the team would not be able to support itself financially if things continued to progress as they were.
Final years in Willimantic
editThe 2001 saw renewed success for the Tides, and their first playoff appearance since 1995. After an 8-2 performance during the last 10 games of the regular season, the Tides finished at 14–16, good enough for second place in the NECBL's newly created American Division, just one game back of theNewport Gulls.Despite having the league's seventh ranked offense and facing the number one offense in Newport, Eastern fought the Gulls to 3 games in the American Division Finals, losing the first 8 to 7 at Newport but winning Game 2 at ECSU in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the 9th, 4–3, but in front of only 187 fans, many of whom traveled fromNewport,Rhode Island.Eastern dropped Game 3 atCardines Fieldafter losing an early lead, 12-2 the final. The Gulls went on to defeat theKeene Swamp Batsin the finals for their franchise's first NECBL Championship.
In 2002, the Eastern Tides ownership changed the name to the Thread City Tides, both in an attempt to attract more fans and to honor the local thread industry that once produced the red stitching for baseballs.[https://www.webcitation.org/5mVgr2dq0?url=http://www.necbl.com/about.htmThe Tides suffered a losing season once again, however, finishing in last place in the reorganized Southern Division at 10–32, 15 games behind first place Newport. Furthermore, home attendance was only one-third what it was on the road, averaging only 201 fans per game and totaling just 4226 for the season.
Average attendance dropped to just 183 fans for the 2003 season, where the Thread City Tides would complete their final year in Connecticut at 16-25 and again eliminated from playoff competition.
The Dukes era and the American Defenders
editIn the spring of 2008, the Dukes' lease of Wahconah Park was jeopardized when the city demanded thousands of dollars in back maintenance fees owed by the franchise.[6]The situation was corrected, and the Dukes' lease of the park continued through the 2008 season.
Following the2008 season,Duquette joined forces with Buddy Lewis and Jerry O'Connor, executives ofNocona Athletic Goods Company(also known as Nokona), and retired U.S. Navy CommanderTerry Allvord,founder of the U.S. Military All-Stars "Red, White and Blue Tour", to create a new ownership group dedicated to providing opportunities for members of the United States' armed forces and military academies. The group changed the name to thePittsfield American Defenders,which has a double meaning for the U.S. military (as defenders of America), and a new glove made byNokona,called the American Defender.[7]The new alignment of the ownership group featured instant growth to five teams, which included theAmerican Defenders of New Hampshireof theCan-Am League,managed by former Red Sox Brian Daubach; the U.S. Military All-Stars "Red, White and Blue Tour" (Domestic); the U.S. Military All-Stars "Red, White and Blue Diplomacy Tour" (International); and the newly minted Latin Stars. The U.S. Military All-Stars continued their reputation as a patriotic force with impressive winning credentials. They posted a record of 31-6-1 against professional and summer collegiate programs. Over 20 tour players were offered professional contracts in 2009, making it an ideal source for future talent.
In theirinaugural season,the Defenders were led by former ABCA Chairman and collegiate baseball legends Dr. Carroll Land and Coach Bob Warn assisted by Coach Ron Swen. Due to the timing of the new partnership and the desire to hold as many spots as possible for players from military schools and service academies, the roster was extremely late in taking shape. The military academies had a hard time believing a premier NECBL team was interested in dedicating their efforts to provide an opportunity for their players. Add to that a stadium under construction and at one point submerged under two feet of water, and Pittsfield faced every challenge imaginable. The overmatched roster posted a 13–25 record in the West Division.
Return to Connecticut
editIn 2010, the New England Collegiate Baseball League Board of Directors approved the sale of the Pittsfield American Defenders to the Bristol Collegiate Baseball Club. The new ownership group moved the team toBristol, Connecticutand played their inaugural games in Bristol atMuzzy Fieldas the Bristol Collegiate Baseball Club. The stay in Bristol was short lived, however, as after the first season in Bristol, the owners decided to move the team to theMystic, CTmarket where the team was rebranded theMystic Schooners.In 11 seasons, the team has qualified for the playoffs 9 times and won the Southern Division title twice (2015, 2016). After losing to theVermont Mountaineersin the 2015 championship series, the Schooners won their first NECBL Championship in 2016. defeating theSanford Mainers.[8]Following the league's restructuring into three divisions prior to the 2022 season, the team now competes in the Coastal Division.
The team briefly moved toDodd StadiuminNorwich, CTfrom 2022-2023. And have since moved back to their previous homeFitch Senior High SchoolinGroton, CTas of 2024.
Postseason appearances
edit| Year | Division Semi-Finals* | Division Finals* | NECBL Championship Series | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Tides | ||||||
| 1994 | Bristol Nighthawks | W (3-2) | ||||
| 1995 | Waterbury Barons | L (0-2) | ||||
| 2001 | Newport Gulls | L (1-2) | ||||
| Thread City Tides | ||||||
| Berkshire/Pittsfield Dukes | ||||||
| 2008 | North Adams SteepleCats | W (2-0) | Newport Gulls | L (0-2) | ||
| Pittsfield American Defenders | ||||||
| Bristol Collegiate | ||||||
| 2010 | Danbury Westerners | L (1-2) | ||||
| Mystic Schooners | ||||||
| 2013 | Ocean State Waves | W (2-0) | Newport Gulls | L (0-2) | ||
| 2014 | Plymouth Pilgrims | L (0-2) | ||||
| 2015 | New Bedford Bay Sox | W (2-0) | Newport Gulls | W (2-0) | Vermont Mountaineers | L (1-2) |
| 2016 | New Bedford Bay Sox | W (2-1) | Newport Gulls | W (2-0) | Sanford Mainers | W (2-0) |
*The NECBL did not separate into divisions until 2001. In 1994, a points system was used. From 1995 - 2000, the top four teams played each other in a league semi-final. In 2001, only 2 teams from each division qualified for the playoffs.
Individual and team achievements
editThe 2012 team hold the NECBL season records for highest ERA (7.22), most runs allowed (313), and most earned runs allowed (263).[9]The 2017 team shares the NECBL single-season record for shutouts (10) with Upper Valley.[10]
In 2017, pitcher Sonny Potter threw a no-hitter.[11]
In 2019, T.T. Bowens set the NECBL single-season record for runs batted in (53).[12]
| Name | Year | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Joel Rosencrance | 2013 | Sportsman of the Year |
| Steve Laurino | 2014 | Batting Champion |
| Willie Rios | 2015 | Stephen Strasburg Top Pro Prospect |
| Aaron Hill | 2015 | Sportsman of the Year |
| Rich Slenker | 2016 | Most Improved Player |
| Tommy Jew | 2017 | Stephen Strasburg Top Pro Prospect |
| Tommy Jew | 2017 | Rick Ligi League MVP |
| T.T. Bowens | 2019 | All-Star Game Home Run Derby Winner |
| T.T. Bowens | 2019 | Stephen Strasburg Top Pro Prospect |
| T.T. Bowens | 2019 | Rick Ligi League MVP |
| Michael Caruso | 2019 | Sportsman of the Year |
| David Beam | 2019 | Rookie of the Year |
| Addison Kopack | 2021 | Christopher Ashmos 10th Player |
| Mason LaPlante | 2022 | Defensive Player of the Year |
Notable alumni
editPlayers who have continued on to professional baseball careers include:
| Player | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Bordonaro | Selected in the 25th round of the2012 MLB Draftby theSeattle Mariners[14] | |
| Joe Hudson | Selected in the 6th round of the2012 MLB Draftby theCincinnati Reds[15] | Has appeared in 18 major league games with theLos Angeles Angels,St. Louis Cardinals,andSeattle Mariners[16] |
| Matt Alvarez | Signed with theKansas City Royalsas an undrafted free agent in 2013[17] | |
| Colin O'Keefe | Selected in the 33rd round of the2013 MLB Draftby theLos Angeles Angels[18] | |
| Ryan Lindemuth | Selected in the 20th round of the2013 MLB Draftby thePittsburgh Pirates;Selected in the 37th round of the2014 MLB Draftby theNew York Yankees[19] | |
| John Murphy | Selected in the 6th round of the2013 MLB Draftby theNew York Yankees[20] | Currently an assistant coach atBoston College[21] |
| Jake Romanski | Selected in the 14th round of the2013 MLB Draftby theBoston Red Sox[22] | Was suspended 100 games in 2018 due to a positive amphetamine test[23] |
| Mike Fransoso | Selected in the 27th round of the2013 MLB Draftby thePittsburgh Pirates[24] | |
| Craig Schlitter | Selected in the 27th round of the2014 MLB Draftby theColorado Rockies[25] | |
| Tom Gavitt | Selected in the 19th round of the2014 MLB Draftby theOakland Athletics[26] | |
| Jose Lopez | Selected in the 6th round of the2014 MLB Draftby theCincinnati Reds[27] | |
| Jordan Schwartz | Selected in the 4th round of the2014 MLB Draftby theOakland Athletics[28] | |
| Kevin Carlow | Signed with theSt. Louis Cardinalsas an undrafted free agent in 2014[29] | |
| Alec Keller | Selected in the 17th round of the2014 MLB Draftby theWashington Nationals[30] | |
| Zach Albin | Selected in the 20th round of the2014 MLB Draftby theBaltimore Orioles[31] | |
| Garrett Kennedy | Selected in the 14th round of the2015 MLB Draftby theLos Angeles Dodgers[32] | |
| Brad Zunica | Selected in the 15th round of the2015 MLB Draftby theSan Diego Padres[33] | |
| Nolan Long | Selected in the 16th round of the2015 MLB Draftby theLos Angeles Dodgers[34] | |
| Steve Laurino | Selected in the 25th round of the2015 MLB Draftby theBaltimore Orioles[35] | |
| Alex Vargas | Selected in the 39th round of the2015 MLB Draftby theHouston Astros[36] | |
| J.R. Davis | Selected in the 15th round of the2016 MLB Draftby theSt. Louis Cardinals[37] | |
| Willie Rios | Selected in the 16th round of the2016 MLB Draftby theBaltimore Orioles[38] | |
| D.J. Jenkins | Selected in the 26th round of the2016 MLB Draftby theLos Angeles Angels[39] | |
| Mike O’Reilly | Selected in the 27th round of the2016 MLB Draftby theSt. Louis Cardinals[40] | |
| Ben Ruta | Selected in the 30th round of the2016 MLB Draftby theNew York Yankees[41] | |
| Toby Handley | Selected in the 30th round of the2016 MLB Draftby theHouston Astros[42] | |
| Chase Livingston | Selected in the 39th round of the2016 MLB Draftby theKansas City Royals[43] | |
| Jason Foley | Signed with theDetroit Tigersas an undrafted free agent in 2016[44] | Made his major league debut with the Tigers in 2021 and has appeared in 71 major league games as of the end of the 2022 season[45] |
| Jake Meyers | Selected in the 13th round of the2017 MLB Draftby theHouston Astros[46] | Made his major league debut with Astros in 2021[47]
Member of the2022 World Serieschampionship team[48] |
| Jesse Berardi | Selected in the 10th round of the2017 MLB Draftby theCleveland Guardians[49] | |
| Jesse Lepore | Selected in the 24th round of the2017 MLB Draftby theColorado Rockies[50] | |
| Carson Teel | Selected in the 37th round of the2017 MLB Draftby theBoston Red Soxand in the 16th round of the2018 MLB Draftby theWashington Nationals[51] | |
| Martin Figueroa | Selected in the 32nd round of the2017 MLB Draftby theHouston Astros[52] | |
| Rich Slenker | Selected in the 28th round of the2017 MLB Draftby theHouston Astros[53] | |
| Doug Domnarski | Selected in the 27th round of the2017 MLB Draftby theMiami Marlins[54] | |
| Brett Bond | Selected in the 23rd round of the2017 MLB Draftby theHouston Astros[55]and signed with theLos Angeles Angelsas a free agent in 2018[56] | |
| Tim Cate | Selected in the 2nd round of the2018 MLB Draftby theWashington Nationals[57] | |
| Ryan Ramiz | Selected in the 23rd round of the2018 MLB Draftby theSeattle Mariners[58] | Currently a volunteer assistant coach atSeton Hall University[59] |
| Kevin Magee | Selected in the 9th round of the2018 MLB Draftby theBaltimore Orioles[60] | |
| Brian Rey | Selected in the 13th round of the2018 MLB Draftby theCincinnati Reds[61] | |
| Tommy Jew | Selected in the 13th round of the2019 MLB Draftby theSt. Louis Cardinals[62] | |
| Ryan Smith | Selected in the 18th round of the2019 MLB Draftby theLos Angeles Angels[63] | |
| Kumar Nambiar | Selected in the 34th round of the2019 MLB Draftby theOakland Athletics[64] | |
| Tucker Flint | Selected in the 36th round of the2019 MLB Draftby theLos Angeles Angels[65] | |
| Kaleb Foster | Signed with thePittsburgh Piratesas an undrafted free agent in 2019[66] | |
| T.T. Bowens | Signed with theBaltimore Oriolesas an undrafted free agent in 2020[67] | |
| Rohan Handa | Selected in the 5th round of the2021 MLB Draftby theSan Francisco Giants[68] | |
| Mike Adams | Signed with thePhiladelphia Philliesas an undrafted free agent in 2021[69] | |
| ActiveMiLBandMLBplayers are indicated inbold. | ||
Dai Dai Otaka, who played for the team in 2019, previously worked in player development for theHouston Astrosand is currently the minor league infield coordinator for theChicago Cubs.[70]
References
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- ^"Bristol Nine 'Adopt' New Logo".Ballpark Business.January 19, 2010.RetrievedJune 20,2023.
- ^"Bristol Nine, No Longer Bristol Nine".Ballpark Business.February 13, 2010.RetrievedJune 20,2023.
- ^"New for 2011: Mystic Schooners".January 17, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 21,2011.
- ^"Pittsfield wants debt resolved before Dukes play season at Wahconah Park".Ballpark Digest. April 17, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon May 10, 2008.RetrievedJune 27,2008.
- ^Dobrowolski, Tony (October 28, 2008)."Changing the game".The Berkshire Eagle.Archivedfrom the original on June 20, 2023.RetrievedJune 20,2023.
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- ^"Jake Romanski".Baseball Reference.
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- ^"Ramiz Returns To The Hall As Volunteer Assistant".SHU Pirates.
- ^"Kevin Magee".Baseball Reference.
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- ^"Kumar Nambiar".Baseball Reference.
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- ^"Kaleb Foster".MiLB.
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- ^"Rohan Handa".Baseball Reference.
- ^"Mike Adams".MiLB.
- ^"Houston Astros Release 2018 Second-Round Pick, Four Other Prospects".FanNation: Inside the Astros.