The Vermont Mountaineers are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Montpelier, Vermont. The team is a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League that plays their home games at Montpelier Recreation Field. In 2022, the Mountaineers broke the NECBL record for a total of 32 wins in a single season.
History In 2001, local citizens formed "Green Mountain Community Baseball", an organization formed in hopes of attracting an NECBL franchise to Montpelier, Vermont. In September of the following year the NECBL voted to branch out Vermont, and to award a franchise to the group.Green Mountain Community Baseball Field Montpelier, Vermont at dufresnegroup.com The team's name, the Vermont Mountaineers, was chosen from more than 300 fan entries.Baseball in Vermont at thevermontmountaineers.com, URL accessed August 17, 2009
General Manager Brian Gallagher spear-headed organizing the franchise and led the team since its inception. John Russo was the team's manager at inception and for the better part of the first decade of existence, and various managers including Joe Brown and Mitch Holmes followed over the years.
The team's first game was on June 7, 2003, an 8-5 loss to the Manchester Silkworms. The game's attendance of 2,471 set a then-NECBL record for single game attendance.VER v. MAN Boxscore 6/7/03 at necbl.com, URL accessed August 17, 2009 Although their inaugural season was not a success on the field (the Mountaineers had the second-worst record in the NECBL),2003 Standings at necbl.com it was in terms of attendance, with the club leading the league in average attendance per game. Nearly 35,000 fans watched the Mountaineers at Montpelier Recreation Field that season.
After reaching the playoffs in 2004, the team has enjoyed playoff success, qualifying for the playoffs in six of their first seven seasons. They have reached the NECBL Championship Series six times (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2022) winning it three times (2006, 2007), 2015). Three of their six finals appearances have come against the Newport Gulls.
Postseason appearances YearDivision Semi-FinalsDivision FinalsNECBL Championship Series Vermont Mountaineers2004Keene Swamp BatsL (0-2)2005Holyoke GiantsW (2-0)Keene Swamp BatsW (2-1)Newport GullsL (0-2)2006Holyoke GiantsW (2-0)Sanford MainersW (2-1)Torrington TwistersW (2-0)2007Keene Swamp BatsW (2-0)Holyoke GiantsW (2-0)Newport GullsW (2-0)2008Sanford MainersL (1-2)2009North Adams SteepleCatsW (2-0)Holyoke Blue SoxW (2-0)Newport GullsL (1-2)2011Holyoke Blue SoxL (0-2)2012Keene Swamp BatsL (0-2)2013North Adams SteepleCatsW (2-0)Keene Swamp BatsL (1-2)2014Laconia MuskratsW (2-0)Sanford MainersL (2-0)2015Laconia MuskratsW (2-0)North Adams SteepleCatsW (2-1)Mystic SchoonersW (2-1)2022Sanford MainersW (2-1)Martha's Vineyard SharksL (0-2)2023Danbury WesternersL (0-2)2024Martha's Vineyard SharksW (2-0)Sanford MainersL (2-0)
Records Below is a list of all-time New England Collegiate Baseball League records set by the Mountaineers.
Team Most triple plays in a season – 2, against the Keene Swamp Bats Stolen bases in a game – 11 against the Manchester Silkworms on 7/31/08. Stolen bases in a season – 118, 2011. Runs in a game – 26, 2012 (Record shared with two (2) other teams). Runs in a game, combined – 41, 2012 Sacrifice Hit - 38 2017
Individual Sacrifice Bunts – 11 by Matt Smith, 2004 and Zach Babitt, 2010. Most saves – 16 by Mark Murray, 2006.
Awards
End-of-season awards 2004 Top Relief Pitcher – McKenzie Willoughby (co-winner)2004 Awards at necbl.com, URL accessed August 19, 2009 2005 Sportsmanship Award – Matt Rizzotti2005 Awards at necbl.com, URL accessed August 19, 2009 2005 Manager of the Year – John Russo 2006 Defensive Player of the Year – Curt Smith2006 Awards at necbl.com, URL accessed August 19, 2009 2006 Top Relief Pitcher – Mark Murray 2006 Sportsmanship Award – Robbie Minor 2006 Rookie of the Year – Chris Friedrich 2007 10th Player Award – A. J. Pollock2007 Awards at necbl.com, URL accessed August 19, 2009 2008 Most Improved Player – Alejandro Balsinde2008 Awards at necbl.com, URL accessed August 19, 2009 2014 Rookie of the Year – Blake Tiberi
All-NECBL Team 2005 – First Team: 1B Matt Rizzotti; Second Team: 3B Miguel Magrass. 2006 – First Team: P Joe Esposito, SS Robbie Minor, P Mark Murray, 3B Curt Smith, C Zach Zaneski; Second Team: P Chris Friedrich, 2B Troy Krider. 2007 – First Team: 1B Mike Sheridan, DH Curt Smith; Second team OF AJ Pollock. 2008 – Second Team P Casey Harman. 2009 – First Team OF Henry Dunn, C Jayson Hernandez; Second Team P Rob Kumbatovic.2009 Awards at necbl.com, URL accessed August 21, 2009
Attendance From their inception the Mountaineers have had some of the league's largest attendance figures. In their inaugural season the Mountaineers enjoyed the highest average attendance in the league and have consistently been near the top of the league in this category since.NECBL team statistics archive at necbl.com, URL accessed December 21, 2008
Attendance figures SeasonGame Avg.League Rk.20031,6661st20041,6433rd20051,7072nd20061,7542nd20071,5183rd20081,7203rd20091,3503rd20101,0384th20111,7433rd20121,4982nd20131,2763rd20141,0884th20151,1863rd20161,0874th20171,1684th20181,2524th20199155th20211,4252nd20221,7482nd20231,3194th20241,3014th20251,2885th
2004 All-Star Game The 2004 NECBL All-Star Game drew 4,127 fans to Montpelier Recreation Field, which set a then-NECBL record for All-Star Game attendance. Vermont's Northern Division squad was defeated by the Southern Division 7-4.Southern Division All-Stars Outshine Northern Division, 7-4 by Kyle Berger at necbl.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009 The record has since been broken at the 2009 NECBL All-Star Game hosted by the Holyoke Blue Sox. The 2009 game attracted 4,906 fans to Mackenzie Stadium in Holyoke, Massachusetts.2009 ASG Boxscore at necbl.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009 However, the mark set in 2004 remains a Montpelier Recreation Field record.
Pro alumni Below is a list of Mountaineers alumni who have gone on to play professional baseball. In total, over 103 former Mountaineers have signed professional contracts after playing for Vermont.Alumni at thevermontmountaineers.com, URL accessed August 17, 2009 13 have reached the majors, with two players currently on active MLB rosters.
As of August 1, 2018.
Reached the Majors PlayerYear w/ VERCurrent/Most recent teamActiveA.J. Pollock2007San Francisco GiantsYesRob Delaney2005Tampa Bay RaysNoDavid Carpenter2005Texas RangersNoDarin Mastroianni2004-05Minnesota TwinsNoBlake Lalli2004Arizona DiamondbacksNoChristian Friedrich2006San Diego PadresNoMichael Brady2006-07Oakland AthleticsNoNick Greenwood2008Minnesota TwinsNoNick Martinez2009-10San Diego PadresYes Micah Johnson2010Atlanta BravesNoMatt Duffy2010Texas RangersNoCody Ege2011Los Angeles AngelsNoTroy Scribner2011Arizona DiamondbacksNoBrian O'Grady2012San Diego PadresNoTyler Rogers2012San Francisco GiantsYesDanny Mendick2013New York MetsYesNick Solak2014Detroit TigersYes (AAA)Trey Amburgey2014Cincinnati RedsYes (AAA)Joe Jacques2016Boston Red SoxYes (AAA)Jonathan Stiever2016Chicago White SoxYes (AAA)
National teams Simon Rosenbaum, 2015, active with Team Israel.
Broadcasting The following former Mountaineer broadcasters have gone on to broadcast in professional baseball: Tim Hagerty-AAA (Mountaineers 2003), Kyle Berger-A (2004), Scott Montesano -Ind. (2005),Scott Montesano at staatalent.com, URL accessed November 9, 2009. 11/9/09 Jonathan Barr-Ind. (2006), Paul Roper-Ind. (2007, currently broadcasting in the OHL), Carmine Vetrano -AHL/FHL/CanAm. (2010, currently broadcasting in American Hockey League, Federal Hockey League, and Can-Am League),http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090915/HOCKEY01/309159932 at goerie.com, URL accessed April 15, 2010
Media Wcax.com, an area online news website run by WCAX-TV, produces reports and video highlights of Mountaineers games.Vermont Mountaineers Win Season Opener at wcax.com The Barre Montpelier Times Argus, a local newspaper, also provides press coverage of games.NECBL team peaked for the playoffs at timesargus.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009 The games are broadcast on the NECBL Broadcast Network.Mountaineers' Wild Walkoff Forces Game Three at thevermontmountaineers.com, URL accessed August 18, 2009
References
External links Official website