ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Delutis Field in Rome will be home to a New York Collegiate Baseball League expansion franchise in 2016. This past month NYCBL executives approved league expansion to Rome, New York.
The franchise will begin league play for the 2016 season as the Rome Generals and will be operated by the Blazer Baseball Group Inc. a New York State non-profit which also operates two other collegiate franchises in upstate New York.
“Rome has an incredible baseball foundation and tradition and the opportunity to bring the NYCBL and this level of baseball and sports entertainment to Rome and Delutis Field is very exciting” said Robert Miller of the Blazer Baseball Group. “The Rome Baseball Association does an incredible job on the fields and facilities here in Rome and the park is perfect for this level of play. We hope to bring in a new brand of baseball to Delutis Field that is exciting both on and off the field, plus fan friendly for children and adults.”
The Generals will play in the NYCBL’s Eastern Division along with the Syracuse Salt Cats, Cortland Crush, Sherrill Silversmiths and Syracuse Jr. Chiefs.
“The players who have been selected for the Rome Generals are potential MLB Draft Picks, and top prospects from across the country,” said team president John Spellman. “We’re excited to showcase today’s up-and-coming athletes who will become tomorrow’s Major League Baseball’s stars.”
Rome is no stranger to the NYCBL with the city fielding the Indians from 1990 through 2002. That organization developed Jason Motte who went on to win a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals. Rome was also one of the original franchises when the then Northeastern Collegiate Baseball League started play in 1978. Former major leaguer Archi Cianfrocco played for the Indians in 1986.
“The New York Collegiate Baseball League, with its proud history in collegiate baseball that dates back to 1978 is very happy to welcome the Rome Generals as the newest member of our league,” NYCBL President Steve Pindar said. “We are excited and look forward to a long and successful relationship with them.”
The Generals will play their home games as Larry Delutis Field located in the Griffis Business and Technology Park in Rome behind the Bomber.
“Our goal is to bring a professional baseball-like atmosphere to Delutis Field,” Spellman added. “Games will feature contests in between innings, children running after foul balls, free giveaways, promotions from our sponsors, food and more.”
The 2016 NYCBL season schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.
More than seventy former NYCBL players earned spots on the rosters of major and minor baseball teams this past season. Hunter Pence (Schenectady ’02) recently completed his ninth major league season. Pence played right field for the San Francisco Giants when they won the World Series in 2012 and 2014. J.D. Martinez (Saratoga ’08) was named American League Player of the Week in late June while Tom Murphy (Oneonta ’10) represented Team USA in the Pan American Games. The Central Square, New York native saw his first major league action when he was called up to the Colorado Rockies in September.
The NYCBL is part of the 11-league National Alliance of College Summer Baseball (NACSB). The Alliance partners with Major League Baseball to provide a platform for amateurs to compete.
The NYCBL’s Western Division is comprised of the Rochester Ridgemen, Olean Oilers, Hornell Dodgers, Genesee Rapids and Wellsville Nitros.
The NYCBL – Sending players to the pro since 1978.
Leave a Reply