atlanticleague.com

WALDORF, MD -- Southern Maryland Blue Crabs president Patrick Day announced that manager Stan Cliburn’s contract has been extended for the 2016 season. 

Currently in his 24^th season managing a minor league club, Cliburn reached 1,500 managerial wins on Tuesday, June 2against the Sugar Land Skeeters. The skipper, in his first season with the Blue Crabs has already led his team to a playoff berth, winning the Freedom Division 1^st Half Title.  The Blue Crabs will begin the Freedom Division playoff series on Wednesday, September 23 on the road for Games 1 and 2, then return to Regency Furniture Stadium for Game 3 on Friday, September 25 and Games 4 & 5 on Saturday and Sunday (if needed). The Division Series is best 3 of 5 games.

“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to continue to be part of Crustacean Nation,” Cliburn said.  “I’m grateful for Patrick Day’s support and enthusiasm.  I’ve had the pleasure of working with a talented coaching staff, and a great group of players and a committed front office. We are encouraged about the strides we have made and look forward to continued success.”

Cliburn, 58, was drafted by the California Angels in 1974 and spent five seasons playing catcher in the Angel’s minor league system.  At age 23, Cliburn reached Major League Baseball for the California Angels and appeared in 54 games during the 1980 season. Cliburn and twin brother Stew are one of nine sets of twin brothers to play in the MLB, and one of only two of the nine sets to play in the same organization (California Angels).

After retiring from playing, the Jackson, Mississippi native coached in various levels of minor league baseball, including stints managing the Rochester Red Wings and the New Britain Rock Cats- both of which are Minnesota Twins affiliates.  He went on to manage the Sioux City Explorers before taking the hitting/bench coach position with the 2014 Atlantic League Champion Lancaster Barnstormers. Cliburn was hired by the Blue Crabs in the off season following the signing of Blue Crabs Manager Lance Burkhart by the San Diego Padres.

“I’m thrilled about where Stan and his staff have taken this team during the 2015 season, “ Day said.  “Stan is committed to bringing a championship to Southern Maryland, and sets a great example with his tireless work in the community.  We all look forward to the future of Blue Crabs Baseball under Stan’s leadership.”

About The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs: The Blue Crabs play 140 regular season games in the Atlantic League, considered the highest level of Minor League Baseball. The Atlantic League is the only non-affiliated minor league to have a Working Agreement with the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball. Atlantic League players are “Major League-ready” and over the last 17 years, more than 650 players have advanced from Atlantic League clubs to Major League organizations, making the Atlantic League a preferred route for experienced players to be scouted by Major League Baseball. The Atlantic League also serves as Baseball’s primary laboratory, being the first to try “Pace-of-Play” and other initiatives before their adoption by Major League Baseball.

The Blue Crabs play at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland. Please call 301-638-9788 or visit www.SOMDbluecrabs.com for more information and to reserve your seat at the ballpark today!

About The Atlantic League

The Atlantic League is considered the most innovative league in professional baseball, offers the highest level of minor league baseball playing skills, and is a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Its mission is to bring a high level of professional baseball and affordable family entertainment to select communities not presently being served by Major League or Minor League teams.  ALPB players are highly experienced professionals, having progressed through professional baseball’s developmental levels (A, AA, AAA). Over 40% of all Atlantic League players have Major League service time. Like MLB, Atlantic League clubs pay their players to win baseball games, not to apprentice as in baseball’s developmental levels. The following teams play in the Atlantic League: Bridgeport Bluefish, Camden Riversharks, Lancaster Barnstormers, Long Island Ducks, Somerset Patriots, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Sugar Land Skeeters, and York Revolution.