20th Anniversary Season to begin on Thursday, April 20
(Denver, CO, Oct. 27, 2016) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) today announced its Championship Season Schedule for the 2017 season. The league will celebrate its 20th Anniversary Season and will feature its eight member clubs: the Bridgeport Bluefish, Lancaster Barnstormers, Long Island Ducks, New Britain Bees, Somerset Patriots, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Sugar Land Skeeters and York Revolution.
“2017 will be a historic season for the Atlantic League, as we honor 20 memorable years of exciting baseball along with affordable, family-friendly entertainment,” said League President Rick White. “We could not reach this milestone without outstanding support from our great fans, our wonderful marketing partners and our talented players and coaches.”
The 20th Anniversary Season will feature a 140-game schedule that begins on Thursday, April 20. Opening Day will feature the defending Atlantic League champion Sugar Land Skeeters, as they host their championship ring and banner raising ceremony at Constellation Field before facing the Bridgeport Bluefish. In addition, the defending Liberty Division champion Long Island Ducks will begin their quest for a fifth Championship Series appearance in seven seasons when they visit the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at Regency Furniture Stadium.
Following are the dates for each team’s Season Opener and Home Opener:
TEAM |
SEASON OPENER |
HOME OPENER |
Bridgeport Bluefish |
April 20 at Sugar Land |
April 28 vs. Southern Maryland |
Lancaster Barnstormers |
April 21 at Somerset |
April 28 vs. Sugar Land |
Long Island Ducks |
April 20 at Southern Maryland |
April 28 vs. New Britain |
New Britain Bees |
April 21 vs. York |
April 21 vs. York |
Somerset Patriots |
April 21 vs. Lancaster |
April 21 vs. Lancaster |
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs |
April 20 vs. Long Island |
April 20 vs. Long Island |
Sugar Land Skeeters |
April 20 vs. Bridgeport |
April 20 vs. Bridgeport |
York Revolution |
April 21 at New Britain |
April 28 vs. Somerset |
The 20th Annual Atlantic League All-Star Game will take place on Wednesday, July 12. This year’s midsummer classic will be hosted by Somerset at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, N.J. 2017 will mark the third time the Patriots will host the All-Star Game after previously doing so in 2000 and 2008. Somerset, along with Bridgeport, will also be celebrating their 20th Anniversary Season in 2017 as two of the league’s founding franchises. More information regarding the All-Star Game and surrounding events will be announced as the game approaches, and fans are encouraged to sign up for the Official VIP Waiting List by CLICKING HERE.
The ALPB schedule is divided into two 70-game halves, with the first half ending on Sunday, July 2 and the regular season ending on Sunday, September 17. The first half and second half champions in each division will qualify for 2017 Atlantic League playoffs. Should a team(s) win both halves in their respective division, a wild card scenario comes into play where the team(s) with the next best overall record, regardless of division, qualifies for the postseason. Both Division Championship Series matchups will take place the week of September 18, 2017 with the Atlantic League Championship Series occurring during the week of September 25.
For the first time in both teams’ histories, the Bluefish and Bees will play a home-and-home day/night doubleheader on Saturday, August 19. The Connecticut rivals will open the twinbill at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport before making the 50-mile trek north to New Britain Stadium for the nightcap. The only teams previously to play a home-and-home doubleheader during the regular season are York and Lancaster, who did so on three separate occasions (two scheduled, one due to rainout). In Major League history, there has only been one originally schedule home-and-home doubleheader, taking place on September 7, 1903 between the New York Giants and Brooklyn Superbas.
To view each club’s 2017 schedule, please visit their official websites.
About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
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