Somerset Patriots
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| 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 a professional baseball team based in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, in the United States. The Patriots are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 1999 season to the present, the Patriots have played their home games at Commerce Bank Ballpark.
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.
Commerce Bank Ballpark opened in 1999, originally known as Somerset Ballpark. While the ballpark was being constructed, 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.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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
[edit] 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 Patriots wear caps produced by The Game and uniforms by Rawlings. The caps 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.
[edit] 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
- In-Game Audio Coordinator: Ian Haggerty
- Video Board Operator: Mike Desmond
The Patriots will be hosting the 2008 Atlantic League All-Star Game.
[edit] 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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[edit] Retired Numbers
42, Jackie Robinson, retired throughout baseball.
[edit] 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.
[edit] External links
[edit] Official websites
[edit] Blogs
[edit] Media
| Achievements | ||
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| Preceded by Long Island Ducks 2004 |
Atlantic League Champions Somerset Patriots 2001, 2003, 2005 |
Succeeded by Lancaster Barnstormers |
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| Preceded by Camden Riversharks 2004 |
South Division Champions Somerset Patriots 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 |
Succeeded by |
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| Freedom Division | Liberty Division |
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| Lancaster Barnstormers | Newark Bears | Somerset Patriots | York Revolution | Bridgeport Bluefish | Camden Riversharks | Long Island Ducks | Southern Maryland Blue Crabs |
| Former teams: Aberdeen | Atlantic City | Lehigh Valley | Nashua | Newburgh | Road Warriors | |
| Other Independent Baseball Leagues: American Association | Can-Am | Continental | Frontier | Golden | Northern | United | |
