The Saranac Lake Surge are an independent American professional baseball team based in Saranac Lake, New York. The Surge play in the Empire Professional Baseball League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball.

Saranac Lake Surge
Team logo Cap insignia
Information
LeagueEmpire Professional Baseball League
LocationSaranac Lake, New York
BallparkSaranac Lake Central Field
Founded2015
League championships2021
Former name(s)Old Orchard Beach Surge
Former league(s)
Former ballparksThe Old Orchard Beach Ball Park
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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In 2015, the Surge was set to be a member of the East Coast Baseball League.[1] The team was to be managed by Scott "Skip" Nathanson. Prior to the planned start of the ECBL's first season the American teams, including the Surge, pulled out of the league to form the North Country Baseball League.[2] For its first four years of existence, the team was based in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

2015 season

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The Surge posted a record of 18–21 in the startup league.[3] The Surge promoted ten players to the Atlantic League, the American Association, and the Frontier League.[4]

2016 season

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The Surge were announced to play in the newly formed Empire Baseball League.[5] On December 22, Skip Nathanson and Alex Markakis agreed to terms to return for the 2016 season.[6]

2019 season

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The Surge relocated to Saranac Lake, New York, for the 2019 season.[7][8][9][10] On July 4, 2019, they played their first game in Saranac Lake versus the Road City Explorers.[11][12]

2020 season

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The Empire League did not hold a traditional season due to COVID-19.[citation needed]

2021 season

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The Surge finished the regular season with a 27-20 record to capture the top seed in the playoffs and then defeated the Plattsburgh Thunderbirds, 3 games to 2, to win the Zacari Cup. Former Plattsburgh State Head Coach Kris Doorey managed the Surge. Pitcher Shawn McFeggan was named the "EBL Starter of the Year" and AJ Wright earned the "Matt Joyce Slugger of the Year". Jessel Soto earned the Zacari Cup Finals Most Valuable Player.[citation needed]

Players

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Players promoted to higher independent leagues[4]
Player Pos Team League
Yeicok Calderon OF York Revolution Atlantic League
Scott Heath LHP Joplin Blasters American Association
Tommy Lawrence RHP River City Rascals Frontier League
Eddie Medina RHP Wichita Wingnuts American Association
Ron Schreurs LHP York Revolution Atlantic League
Luis Pardo RHP Wichita Wingnuts American Association
Tucker White OF Joplin Blasters American Association
Joe Coyne C Joplin Blasters American Association
Kenny Kirshner OF Schaumberg Bombers Frontier League
Sam DiMatteo OF Long Island Ducks Atlantic League
Shawn McFeggan LHP York Revolution Atlantic League
Joey Lara RHP York Revolution Atlantic League
Ryan Dickt C Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Atlantic League
Kyle Robinson OF New Jersey Jackals Frontier League
Jordan Rhodes RHP Empire State Greys Frontier League
AJ Wright IF Empire State Greys Frontier League

References

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  1. ^ Joe, Anton (February 12, 2015). "East Coast Baseball League News: Munoz, OOB, Road City". Baseball Essential. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  2. ^ "ECBL Folds, North Country Baseball League Formed". Ballpark Business. May 25, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  3. ^ "NCBL Standings". North Country Baseball League. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "NCBL League". North Country Baseball League. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  5. ^ "Empire League is a GO! | Empire League News". Empire Pro League. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  6. ^ "Nathanson / Markakis agree to 2016 Terms | Empire League News". Empire Pro League. December 20, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  7. ^ Reuter, Lou (May 4, 2019). "Pro baseball team Surges in". Adirondack Daily Enterprise. Saranac Lake, New York: Ogden Newspapers. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  8. ^ "A home run for Saranac Lake". Adirondack Daily Enterprise. Saranac Lake, New York: Ogden Newspapers. May 8, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  9. ^ Foley, Martha; Crowley, Peter (May 9, 2019). "Tri-Lakes Takes: Pro baseball "surges" into Saranac Lake". North Country Public Radio (NCPR). Canton, New York: St. Lawrence University. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  10. ^ "Chance to meet Surge baseball league official". Adirondack Daily Enterprise. Saranac Lake, New York: Ogden Newspapers. May 14, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  11. ^ O'Brien, Kelly (July 4, 2019). "Saranac Lake Surge bring pro baseball to the Adirondacks". WCAX-TV. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  12. ^ Shea, Kevin (July 5, 2019). "Saranac Lakers embrace new red, white and blue baseball team". Adirondack Daily Enterprise. Retrieved July 27, 2019.