The Saratoga Phillies were a summer collegiate baseball team in Saratoga Springs, New York. They played in the New York Collegiate Baseball League, which is partially sponsored by the NCAA and Major League Baseball, and has been in existence since 1978. It was announced that the Phillies would relocate to Oneonta, New York starting in the 2010 season.
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The Saratoga Phillies were started in 2004 by co-owners Keith Rogers and Dan Scaring. A not-for-profit organization, the Phillies are a registered New York State Charity Organization. Phillies’ players are provided housing, employment and transportation during the 42-game season. The Phillies are financed through corporate sponsorships and private donations, and are the only team in the NYCBL that does not charge admission to their home games.
The Phillies play at East Side Recreation Field. The field also accommodates other local teams as well as the American Legion team, the Saratoga Stampede.
The Phillies won their only league championship in 2006. The team posted a 32-14 record and swept their way through the playoffs, defeating the Amsterdam Mohawks and the Little Falls Diamond Miners to clinch the East Division. They then went on to defeat the Allegany County Nitros from the West division to gain the title.
Mike Fiers was named NYCBL pitcher of the year in 2007. Fiers finished the regular season 5-1 with a 1.99 earned run average in 541⁄3 innings pitched. In eight appearances, Fiers allowed 13 runs (12 earned) on 30 hits, walked 12 and struck out a league-high 68 batters. He held opposing hitters in the Eastern Division to a .158 batting average and yielded just six extra-base hits. He pitched a complete game no-hitter against the Amsterdam Mohawks on June 22, 2007. Fiers allowed four base runners – one by walk, two hit batsmen and one on an error. From the start of the fourth through the end of the eighth, Fiers retired 15 straight batters, nine of them on strikeouts. He totaled 16 strikeouts over the nine-inning game.
During the 2007 season The Phillies hosted an exhibition game against the Russian Olympic Team. The Phillies went on to win the game 10-4, and drew one of the biggest crowds the organization has ever witnessed.
Year | Name | College | Drafted by | Round |
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2004 | Dan Griffin | Niagara | San Francisco Giants | 5th |
2004 | Casper Wells | Towson | Detroit Tigers | 14th |
2004 | Jed Stephen | Ohio State | Baltimore Orioles | 8th |
2004 | Jeff Stallings | NC State | San Francisco Giants | 18th |
2004 | Cody Merill | Texas St.–San Marcos | Arizona Diamondbacks | |
2004 | Caleb Mangum | NC State | Philadelphia Phillies | 24th |
2006 | Darin Mastroianni | Southern Indiana | Toronto Blue Jays | 16th
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2009 Andrew Carraway University of Virginia
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2009 J.D Martinez Nova Southeastern
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2009 Mike Fiers Nova Southeastern
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2009 Miles Mikolas Nova Southeastern