Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
| Southern Maryland Blue Crabs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||
| League | Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (Freedom Division) | ||||
| Location | Waldorf, Maryland | ||||
| Ballpark | Regency Furniture Stadium | ||||
| Year founded | 2006 | ||||
| Nickname(s) | The Crabs | ||||
| Former name(s) | Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (2008–present) | ||||
| Colors |
Navy blue, Columbia blue, white, red, sand | ||||
| Ownership | |||||
| Manager | Stan Cliburn | ||||
| General Manager | Keith Lupton | ||||
| Media | Washington Post | ||||
| Website |
www | ||||
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The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs is an American professional baseball team based in Waldorf, Maryland. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 2008 season to the present, the Blue Crabs have played their home games at Regency Furniture Stadium. They represent the counties of Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary's, which are located on the Southern Maryland peninsula between Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River.[1]
In 2006, Southern Maryland residents chose the name "Blue Crabs" in a team-sponsored fan ballot.[2] The name refers to the indigenous blue crab, the official state crustacean of Maryland.[3] The Blue Crabs' fanbase has the nickname of "Crustacean Nation", an allusion to the Cardinal Nation and the Red Sox Nation fan clubs of the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox.[4]
History
Charles County initiated efforts to bring affiliated professional baseball, in the form of a relocated single-A Kinston Indians team, to the Southern Maryland region in 1985, but those plans fell through. The progress made on the ballpark was reversed after Charles County commissioners voted against its financial support, instead deciding to funnel money to infrastructure projects. There were also concerns about marketability of the baseball team in a then-largely rural area. However, Southern Maryland's population boomed soon after as the suburban expansion of Washington, D.C. encompassed the region.
In 2004, the town of Hughesville was targeted by the Opening Day Partners to be the home of its Southern Maryland franchise, but the town's residents voted against the measure to retain the area's rural nature.[5] After Hughesville residents denied the ballpark, all focus was shifted to Waldorf, a bedroom community of Washington, D.C.[6] The Atlantic League formally announced an expansion team for Southern Maryland on February 15, 2006.[7] The Blue Crabs were originally supposed to be an expansion team for the 2007 season, but the construction bids for Regency Furniture Stadium came in over budget. Instead, the Blue Crabs' inaugural season was set for 2008.[8]
Initially, there was some concern about how the Blue Crabs would impact the attendance of the nearby Bowie Baysox, a Baltimore Orioles affiliate that plays about 25 miles away. The Baysox anticipated a small attendance drop initially, but have not worried about the issue in the long term.[9]
The Blue Crabs are owned by Opening Day Partners and Brooks Robinson, a former third baseman with the Baltimore Orioles from 1955 to 1977. Robinson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.
The Blue Crabs were the runner-up in the 2009 Atlantic League Championship Series versus the Somerset Patriots.
Logos and uniforms
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs official colors are navy blue, Columbia blue, red, and khaki. The primary logo depicts a navy blue crab outlined and detailed in khaki. The crab possesses red pincers and red eyes, with a scowl of determination. Centered above the crab is the "Blue Crabs" wordmark in white with the words "Southern Maryland" centered above in red. Columbia blue and red ribbon-like lines underline the wordmark. The entire logo is outlined in khaki.
The Blue Crabs wear caps produced by The Game Headwear and uniforms by Rawlings. The home caps for are navy blue throughout with the cap logo centered on the front. The cap logo includes the interlocking initials of "BC", with the "B" in white outlined in navy blue and Columbia blue. A C-shaped crab pincer interweaves with the "B." The entire logo is outlined in khaki. The away caps are navy blue with a Columbia blue brim and button, charged with the interlocking "BC" cap logo. The home jerseys are white with traditional Columbia blue piping. The "Blue Crabs" wordmark is prominently displayed on the front of the jersey in Columbia blue with navy blue outline. The away jersey is grey with Columbia blue piping and the "Southern Maryland" wordmark in Columbia blue with navy blue outline. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs wear Columbia blue alternate jerseys with the interlocking "BC" logo centered on the left side chest. The jersey is also designed with white side panels. The Blue Crabs' batting practice cap is navy blue with the "crab" cap logo.
Season-by-season records
| Southern Maryland Blue Crabs - 2008–2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | W - L Record | Winning Percentage | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2008 | 74-66 | .529 | 2nd in Liberty Division | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2009 | 79-61 | .564 | 1st in Liberty Division | 3-2 |
| 2010 | 82-57 | .590 | 2nd in Liberty Division | 1-3 |
| 2011 | 65-57 | .492 | 3rd in Liberty Division | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2012 | 69-71 | .557 | 1st in Liberty Division | 2-3 |
| 2013 | 65-74 | .468 | 1st in Liberty Division | 0-3 |
| 2014 | 57-66 | .463 | 4th in Liberty Division | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| Totals (2008–2014) | 491-452 | .523 | - | .600 |
The Blue Crabs tied for first place in the Liberty Division for the second half of 2009, and won a first round playoff series against the Long Island Ducks, 3-2, on September 29, 2009.
Philanthropy
The Blue Crabs hold a series of charity events that benefit such organizations as the Southern Maryland Food Bank, The Salvation Army, Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, Soldier’s Angels, Orioles Advocates, and the American Red Cross. Other events such as the Red Cross blood drive and Prostate Cancer Awareness Night are held at Regency Furniture Stadium to promote health and wellness.[10] On the team's final game of the 2008 season, the Blue Crabs raised $8,139 for the College of Southern Maryland as part of the institution's 50th anniversary.[11] Prior to the 2009 season, the team partnered with the Charles County Hospice House to allow the non-profit charity to take advantage of theme nights for fundraising opportunities.[12]
Mascot
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs' official mascot is an anthropomorphic, blue creature named Pinch. He wears a Blue Crabs home jersey with red and white sneakers. The mascot debuted on April 19, 2008, at the Charles County Youth League's opening day parade held at Laurel Springs Park in La Plata. Pinch's name alludes to the pincer of a crab.[13] He resides at Crabby Cove, an artificial pond designed for recreational use at Regency Furniture Stadium.
Current Roster
| Southern Maryland Blue Crabs roster | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active (25-man) roster | Coaches/Other | ||||||||
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Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
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Retired numbers
- 42 (Jackie Robinson)
- Second baseman, Retired throughout professional baseball on April 15, 1997
References
- ↑ "Blue Crabs will represent St. Mary's, Charles, and Calvert Counties". Southern Maryland Baseball. Retrieved June 5, 2006.
- ↑ "Southern Maryland has a name". Southern Maryland Online. Retrieved June 5, 2006.
- ↑ "The Blue Crab, Maryland's state crustacean". Maryland Archives. Retrieved June 8, 2006.
- ↑ Crustacean Nation?
- ↑ Partlow, Joshua (September 9, 2004). "Ballpark Opponents Speak Out". Washington Post. Retrieved June 5, 2006.
- ↑ "Minor league baseball coming to Charles County". Washington Post. February 17, 2006. Retrieved June 5, 2006.
- ↑ "Atlantic League awards team to Southern Maryland". Southern Maryland Baseball. Retrieved June 5, 2006.
- ↑ "Bids for Regency Furniture Stadium over budget". York Daily Record. Retrieved July 14, 2006.
- ↑ Sohr, Nicholas (April 21, 2006). "Orioles' affiliate not worried about competition". University of Maryland. Capital News Service. Retrieved June 5, 2006.
- ↑ Crazy 8's Night jerseys benefit relief organizations
- ↑ Crabs raise money for the College of Southern Maryland
- ↑ Crabs partner with the Charles County Hospice House
- ↑ "Pinch". Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
External links
| Achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Camden Riversharks 2008 |
Liberty Division Champions Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 2009 |
Succeeded by Bridgeport Bluefish 2010 |
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