Year founded 2003 Regular-Season Division championships 2 (2006, 2015) Manager Bob Morgan League championships 3 (2006, 2007, 2015) | Nickname(s) Mountainmen, Neers Founded 2003 Mascot Mountaineers | |
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Ballpark Montpelier Recreation Field (2003–present) Post-Season Division championships 5 (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2015) Former league(s) NECBL
Northern Division (2004–2008) Arena/Stadium Montpelier Recreation Field League New England Collegiate Baseball League Location Montpelier, Vermont, United States | ||
Vermont mountaineers playoffs game 1
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.
Contents
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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. The team's name, the Vermont Mountaineers, was chosen from more than 300 fan entries.
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. Although their inaugural season was not a success on the field (the Mountaineers had the second-worst record in the NECBL), 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.
Records
Below is a list of all-time New England Collegiate Baseball League records set by the Mountaineers.
Team
Individual
End of season awards
All-NECBL Team
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.
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. 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. However, the mark set in 2004 remains a Montpelier Recreation Field record.
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.
As of November 7, 2009.
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 (2005), Dan Merklinger (2005), Joe Esposito (2006), Josh Satow (2006), Chris Friedrich (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 (2004), Anthony Smith (2004), Jim Wladyka (2004), Mike Sheridan (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 (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 (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), 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),
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. The Barre Montpelier Times Argus, a local newspaper, also provides press coverage of games. The games are broadcast on WSKI CBS Sports Radio 1240 and on Teamline internet audio/video.