Saranac Lake Surge Explained

Saranac Lake Surge
Cap Logo:File:Saranac Lake Surge Cap Logo.png
League:Empire Professional Baseball League
Location:Saranac Lake, New York
Stadium:Saranac Lake Central Field
Founded:2015
League Champs:2021
Former Names:Old Orchard Beach Surge
Former Ballparks:The Old Orchard Beach Ball Park

The Saranac Lake Surge are an independent American professional baseball team based in Saranac Lake, New York. The Surge play in the Empire Professional Baseball League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball.

History

In 2015, the Surge was set to be a member of the East Coast Baseball League.[1] The team was to be managed by Scott "Skip" Nathanson. Prior to the planned start of the ECBL's first season the American teams, including the Surge, pulled out of the league to form the North Country Baseball League.[2] For its first four years of existence, the team was based in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

2015 season

The Surge posted a record of 18–21 in the startup league.[3] The Surge promoted ten players to the Atlantic League, the American Association, and the Frontier League.[4]

2016 season

The Surge were announced to play in the newly formed Empire Baseball League.[5] On December 22, Skip Nathanson and Alex Markakis agreed to terms to return for the 2016 season.[6]

2019 season

The Surge relocated to Saranac Lake, New York, for the 2019 season.[7] [8] [9] [10] On July 4, 2019, they played their first game in Saranac Lake versus the Road City Explorers.[11] [12]

2020 season

The Empire League did not hold a traditional season due to COVID-19.

2021 season

The Surge finished the regular season with a 27-20 record to capture the top seed in the playoffs and then defeated the Plattsburgh Thunderbirds, 3 games to 2, to win the Zacari Cup. Former Plattsburgh State Head Coach Kris Doorey managed the Surge. Pitcher Shawn McFeggan was named the "EBL Starter of the Year" and AJ Wright earned the "Matt Joyce Slugger of the Year". Jessel Soto earned the Zacari Cup Finals Most Valuable Player.

Players

Players promoted to higher independent leagues
PlayerPosTeamLeague
Yeicok Calderon OFYork RevolutionAtlantic League
Scott Heath LHPJoplin BlastersAmerican Association
Tommy Lawrence RHPRiver City RascalsFrontier League
Eddie Medina RHPWichita WingnutsAmerican Association
Ron Schreurs LHPYork RevolutionAtlantic League
Luis Pardo RHPWichita WingnutsAmerican Association
Tucker WhiteOFJoplin BlastersAmerican Association
Joe Coyne CJoplin BlastersAmerican Association
Kenny KirshnerOFSchaumberg BombersFrontier League
Sam DiMatteo OFLong Island Ducks Atlantic League
Shawn McFegganLHPYork RevolutionAtlantic League
Joey LaraRHPYork RevolutionAtlantic League
Ryan DicktCSouthern Maryland Blue CrabsAtlantic League
Kyle RobinsonOFNew Jersey JackalsFrontier League
Jordan RhodesRHPEmpire State GreysFrontier League
AJ WrightIFEmpire State GreysFrontier League

Notes and References

  1. News: Anton . Joe . East Coast Baseball League News: Munoz, OOB, Road City . Baseball Essential . 2015-12-14 . en-US . February 12, 2015.
  2. Web site: ECBL Folds, North Country Baseball League Formed . 2015-12-14 . May 25, 2015 . Ballpark Business.
  3. Web site: NCBL Standings . North Country Baseball League . 2015-12-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150829081709/http://www.northcountrybaseballleague.com/standings.html . 2015-08-29.
  4. Web site: NCBL League . North Country Baseball League . 2015-12-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222172408/http://www.northcountrybaseballleague.com/league.html . 2015-12-22.
  5. Web site: Empire League is a GO! Empire League News . Empire Pro League . 2015-12-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222112848/http://empireproleague.com/leaguenews/2015/12/12/we-are-a-go/ . 2015-12-22.
  6. Web site: Nathanson / Markakis agree to 2016 Terms Empire League News . Empire Pro League . 2015-12-22 . December 20, 2015.
  7. News: Reuter . Lou . Pro baseball team Surges in . June 7, 2019 . Adirondack Daily Enterprise . . May 4, 2019 . Saranac Lake, New York.
  8. News: A home run for Saranac Lake . June 7, 2019 . Adirondack Daily Enterprise . . May 8, 2019 . Saranac Lake, New York.
  9. News: Foley . Martha . Crowley . Peter . Tri-Lakes Takes: Pro baseball "surges" into Saranac Lake . June 7, 2019 . North Country Public Radio (NCPR) . . May 9, 2019 . Canton, New York.
  10. News: Chance to meet Surge baseball league official . June 7, 2019 . Adirondack Daily Enterprise . . May 14, 2019 . Saranac Lake, New York.
  11. News: O'Brien . Kelly . Saranac Lake Surge bring pro baseball to the Adirondacks . July 27, 2019 . . July 4, 2019 . english.
  12. News: Shea . Kevin . Saranac Lakers embrace new red, white and blue baseball team . July 27, 2019 . Adirondack Daily Enterprise . July 5, 2019.