Japan Islanders Explained

Japan Islanders
Founded:2016
City:Lyon Mountain, New York
Cap Logo:Japan Islanders Cap Logo.jpg
League:Empire Professional Baseball League
Colors:Blue, red, white
League Champs:Zacari Cup (2018)

The Japan Islanders are an independent professional baseball team based in Lyon Mountain, New York, United States. They play in the Empire Professional Baseball League (EPBL), which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball.

History

The Puerto Rico Islanders joined the Empire Professional Baseball League for the 2017 season. They played their first season as a traveling team until the league finalized a ballpark and opposing team travel arrangements.[1] In their debut the Islanders fell short of reaching the playoffs by one game.[2]

Tony Rodríguez was hired to manage the Islanders for the 2018 season.[3] The team finished the regular season in second-place with a 27 - 18 record.[4] On August 12, 2018, the Islanders won the Zakari Cup (EPBL) championship by besting the New York Bucks in the final series.[5] This was the team's first title in two seasons of existence.

Renaming

After the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the league's 2020 season, the Puerto Rico Islanders were renamed the Japan Islanders and made into a team with a roster of Japanese players. The team mostly serves as a traveling team playing against the other EPBL teams in New York State, occasionally playing as the home team in Lyon Mountain.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Empire League Announces Puerto Rico Franchise . empireproleague.com . Empire Professional Baseball League . October 18, 2016 . en . October 18, 2016 .
  2. Web site: 2017 Standings . empireproleague.com . Empire Professional Baseball League . August 17, 2018 . en.
  3. Web site: FORMER BOSTON RED SOX TONY RODRIGUEZ TO MANAGE THE ISLANDERS . empireproleague.com . Empire Professional Baseball League . en . May 16, 2018.
  4. Web site: 2018 Standings . empireproleague.com . Empire Professional Baseball League . August 17, 2018 . en.
  5. Web site: PUERTO RICO ISLANDERS WIN 2018 EPBL CHAMPIONSHIP . empireproleague.com . Empire Professional Baseball League . August 17, 2018 . en . August 13, 2018.