History of the New York Collegiate Baseball League Part II

The second in a three-part series continues to explore New York state’s summer college league.

Eleven current major leaguers have called the NYCBL home for at least one season. Tim Hudson, the Atlanta Braves’ ace, played with Hornell in 1996. That same year Houston’s Brad Lidge tossed heat for the Ithaca Lakers. Lidge, out of Notre Dame, was selected in the first round of the ’98 draft. Four years previous San Francisco’s Steve Kline helped Little Falls to the NYCBL title. The following year, 1993, Toronto’s John McDonald played for the Cohocton Red Wings. It was McDonald who was fooled into allowing a pop-up in the infield drop when Alex Rodriguez ran by and called for the ball.

San Diego’s Scott Cassidy helped the Geneva Knights to the ’98 league title while St. Louis’s Josh Kinney pitched for Hornell during that same summer. The following season Tampa Bay’s Brendan Harris played for the Schenectady (now Amsterdam) Mohawks. Pittsburgh’s Rajai Davis led Hornell to the 2000 league title. In 2002 Houston’s Hunter Pence played for Schenectady while Toronto’s Jeremy Accardo pitched for the Wellsville (now Allegany County) Nitros. Oakland’s Dallas Braden pitched for Hornell in 2003.

Current minor leaguers Lou Merloni, Terry Tiffee, Scott Sauerbeck, Brad Hassey, Val Pascucci, Earl Snyder, and Brett Carroll have all spent time playing summer ball in upstate New York along with retired major leaguers Kirt Manwaring, Clay Bellinger, Archi Cianfrooco, Glen Barker, Tim Naehring, and Greg LaRocca.

Fourteen teams in two divisions comprised the 2007 NYCBL lineup. The Glens Falls Golden Eagles, Saratoga Phillies, Watertown Wizards, Little Falls Miners, Amsterdam Mohawks, and Bennington Bombers made up the East Division while the Elmira Pioneers, Geneva Red Wings, Allegany County Nitros, Hornell Dodgers, Brockport Riverbats, Webster Yankees, and Bolivar A’s did battle in the West Division.

The league mixes a group of hard-working owners, coaches, and managers with a bit of nostalgia. For instance the Pioneers of Elmira play in Dunn Field. The classic stadium featuring a covered grandstand opened in 1939 and hosted a team with the same name for decades in the New York-Penn (NY-P) League. The Pio’s boast one of the league’s more memorable mascots. Complete with coonskin cap and buckskin pants, ‘Stitches’, is a fan favorite. The happy baseball can be seen boppin’ through the Dunn Field grandstand.

In Geneva, Dave Herbst turned away the wrecking ball and saved McDonough Park. After hosting the NY-P action of the Geneva Red Legs and Cubs for four decades, the grand old park at the end of Lyceum Street sat dormant and plans were made to level the stadium that opened in 1958. Then Herbst came along, and serving as owner, general manager, head coach, chief cook, and bottle washer he has saved baseball along the shores of Seneca Lake. Herbst is unashamed to admit that the first year of existence was a little rough. “We didn’t have enough money to pay for water or electricity. When we returned from away games, I would have to give my guys flashlights, so they could find their way around the clubhouse.”

Five years later with the support of Senator Nozzolio and aggressive promotions the Red Wings hope to turn a profit. McDonough Park now sports a brand-new deck complete with Adirondack lounge chairs available for early arrivers. A covered picnic area along the right field line makes for a great spot to entertain large groups such as the DeSales High School class of ’82 reunion.

Just minutes from one of the Natural Wonders of the World, Sal Maglie field in Niagara Falls is host to the NYCBL’s Power. Nestled in the quaint Hyde Park section of town the facility also serves as home to the University of Niagara.

Children can be heard frantically scrambling for foul balls, so they can receive a piece of candy in exchange from the concession stand. One of the local eateries, Porky’s, advertises as “The Best Food In Foul Territory.”

Positioned in the center of town, Hornell’s Maple City Park is a hub of activity. Visitors are greeted at the gate by a message board including the night’s starting lineup. Built in the ’60s Maple City has a cozy grandstand with great sight lines.

At Amsterdam’s Shuttleworth Park folks can take in the sights and sounds of a ball game. Kids participate in the annual ‘best Mohawk’ haircut contest. Shuttleworth hosted the 2007 NYCBL All-Star game.

Duffy Fairgrounds is home to the Watertown Wizards. Found near Coffeen Street off Route 81 the sixty-seven acre area serves as a recreational area for residents. John McGraw, NYCBL’s director of media relations, can be heard calling the Wizards’ play-by-play.

John Mayotte won his 100th NYCBL game coaching the 2007 East-Division Champion Glens Falls Eagles. The Eagles call East Field Stadium their home.