Somerset Patriots
| Somerset Patriots Founded in 1998 Bridgewater Township, New Jersey |
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| Owner(s)/Operated By: Steve Kalafer | |||
| General Manager: Patrick McVerry | |||
| Manager: Sparky Lyle | |||
| Media: Bridgewater Courier-News | |||
| Website: www.somersetpatriots.com | |||
The Somerset Patriots are an Atlantic League baseball team based in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Since the 1998 season, they have played in the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affilitated with Major League Baseball.
The Patriots won the league championship in 2001, setting a league record of 83 wins and 43 losses. They again earned the league title in 2003 and 2005. They are the only team in Atlantic League history to win three league championships.
The team plays in Commerce Bank Ballpark, which opened in 1999 as Somerset Ballpark after the Patriots spent the 1998 season as a road team. In their first six seasons, the Patriots drew over two million fans, for an average over 5,000 per game, filling an entertainment niche in central Jersey.
The name "Patriots" refers to the Middlebrook encampment where the first official flag of the United States was unfurled, after a law to adopt a national flag had been passed by Congress on June 14, 1777. By special order of Congress, a thirteen star flag is flown 24 hours a day at the Washington Camp Ground, part of the former Middlebrook encampment, in Bridgewater Township.
History
The first season for the Somerset Patriots was in 1998, which was also the inaugural season for the Atlantic League. The Patriots have been the victors of the Atlantic League Championship Series in three seasons, and have been the runner-up in two. Not only have the Somerset Patriots enjoyed success on the field, they have enjoyed steady attendance as well.
Post-Season Records
- 1999: Lost to Bridgeport Bluefish, 3 games to 0, in championship round
- 2000: Received first-round bye; lost to Nashua Pride, 3 games to 0, in championship round
- 2001: Received first-round bye; defeated Newark Bears, 3 games to 2, for league championship
- 2003: Defeated Camden Riversharks, 2 games to 0; defeated Nashua Pride, 3 games to 2, for league championship
- 2005: Defeated Atlantic City Surf, 2 games to 1; defeated Nashua Pride, 3 games to 0, for league championship
- 2007: Defeated Camden Riversharks, 2 games to 1; lost to Newark Bears, 3 games to 1, in championship round
Logos and uniforms
The Somerset Patriots official colors are navy blue, maroon, and silver. The primary logo depicts a Continental soldier in navy blue with white stars on his shoulder and maroon stripes flowing to his left, a reference to the U.S. flag. Centered below the soldier is the wordmark in navy blue underlined by a silver baseball bat outlined in navy blue. The word "Somerset" is centered above the wordmark in maroon.
The caps of the Patriots are navy blue throughout with the cap logo centered on the front. The cap logo consists of the Continental soldier's head outlined in white and maroon. The home uniforms are composed of a sleeveless, white jersey with maroon piping and the "Patriots" wordmark centered across the front in navy blue and maroon. The belt, socks, and undershirt are navy blue. The away uniforms are similar, but are grey in color.
Quick facts
- Current uniform colors: White vest with maroon piping and navy blue sleeves for home games and grey for away games. Both with the word "Patriots" across the front and name and number on the back. Navy blue hats with a colonial-themed patriot logo.
- Current logo design: The word "Patriots" in script in navy blue underlined by a navy blue and silver baseball bat with silver stars. Above is a colonial-themed patriot.
- Current mascot: Sparkee the Dog (1998-present), Slider the Cat (2007-present).
- Current Radio Station: WCTC 1450 AM New Brunswick
- Radio Play-By-Play: Brian Bender
- Public Address Announcer: Paul Spychala
- Backup Public Address Announcer: Alex Silverman
- In-Game Audio Coordinator: Ian Haggerty
- Video Board Operator: Mike Desmond
The Patriots will be hosting the 2008 Atlantic League All-Star Game.
Current roster
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Somerset Patriots roster
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| Active (25-man) roster | Coaches | ||||||||
Pitchers
Catchers
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Infielders
Outfielders
Disabled List
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Coaching Staff
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Retired Numbers
42, Jackie Robinson, retired throughout baseball.
Patriots Broadcasting
The Somerset Patriots can be heard on their flagship station WCTC 1450 AM in New Jersey or by listening to their live internet stream on game days. Brian Bender is the "Voice" of the Patriots.
External links
- Somerset Patriots
- Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
- Atlantic League blog
- Atlantic League Independent
- Bridgewater, New Jersey
| Preceded by Long Island Ducks 2004 |
Atlantic League Champions Somerset Patriots 2001, 2003, 2005 |
Succeeded by Lancaster Barnstormers |
| Preceded by Camden Riversharks 2004 |
South Division Champions Somerset Patriots 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 |
Succeeded by Lancaster Barnstormers |
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Somerset Patriots
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| Atlantic League | |
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| North Division | Bridgeport Bluefish • Long Island Ducks • Newark Bears • Somerset Patriots |
| South Division | Camden Riversharks • Lancaster Barnstormers • Southern Maryland Blue Crabs • York Revolution |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
