AtL York Revolution

Revolution, Susquehanna and Central Leagues Announce Partnership

Published on January 29, 2009 under Atlantic League (AtL)
York Revolution News Release


(York, Pa.): The Susquehanna and Central Baseball Leagues, two York County strongholds for years, have teamed up with the York Revolution for several initiatives to grow the game of baseball locally.

Things will kick-off when a team of All-Stars combined from the Susquehanna and Central League square off against the 2009 York Revolution at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 at Sovereign Bank Stadium. Gates for the game that day will open at Noon, as a part of the Revolution's Fan Fest celebration to officially kick off the 2009 season. The game against the Susquehanna/Central League All-Stars will be one of five exhibitions the Revolution play as a part of moving spring training from Lakeland, Florida to York.

"Not every team in our league stays up north for spring training, and we need the competition to prepare for the season," said Revolution Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone. "It's great that these two leagues are combining to play us. I look forward to seeing how competitive this game can be."

Because the local leagues do not start their season until the beginning of May, the Susquehanna/Central League All-Stars will have use of Sovereign Bank Stadium to workout and practice twice, in anticipation of the showdown against the Revolution. It will be the Revolution's third exhibition game of the spring.

Admission to the game will be four dollars. Two dollars from every ticket will go to the two leagues' York County Baseball Scholarship Fund. Tickets may be purchased online at YorkRevolution.com beginning February 2 at 9 a.m. Tickets may also be purchased by visiting the Apple Chevrolet Ticket office at Sovereign Bank Stadium between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning February 2. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the box office the day of the game, but due to a potentially high demand fans are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance. Members of the Founders Club, Heritage Box, and Skybox holders will receive free tickets to this special event.

The two leagues will then battle it out for local supremacy at the home of the Revolution in their annual All-Star Game on July 19, start time TBA. Traditionally, the game is rotated throughout the local Susquehanna and Central League fields.

The two new local partners will also use Sovereign Bank Stadium for the County Championship, where the Susquehanna League Champion will meet the Central League Champion in a best of three series, beginning with game one on Saturday, August 29. Game two will be Sunday, August 30, and game three would also be August 30 if necessary. Start times for the Championship Series' games are TBA. In the past the series would go back and forth between local home fields, and will now be played at a neutral location for the first time.

"This partnership is a long time coming, and we're glad it's in place," said York Revolution General Manager Matt O'Brien. "It's great to see so much passion from two local baseball leagues, and we're passionate about baseball too. It's only natural we bring everybody together, and use Sovereign Bank Stadium to better the game of baseball in the community."

The local leagues do have a history of individuals excelling in professional baseball. Infielder Travis Hake, born in York and a Brogue, PA resident, played in the Susquehanna League for three different teams after a stint in the Milwaukee Brewers minor league system. He went on to be the only former Susquehanna Leaguer to play for the York Revolution. Hake played for the Revolution in 2007, and also spent two seasons with the Lancaster Barnstormers in 2005 and '06.

For the Central League, southpaw Mark Phillips pitched for the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League in 2007, after playing for Stoverstown, who is managed by former York White Rose Curly Holtzapple. Holtzapple will also serve as manager of the Susquehanna/Central League All-Stars. Phillips is a native of Hanover, PA, and spent four seasons in the farm systems of San Diego and the Yankees, after being drafted by San Diego in 2000.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mark Hendrickson, a part-time resident of York County, played in the Susquehanna League for York Township before signing with the Toronto Blue Jays and beginning in their farm system in 1998. The left-hander has been used as a starter and reliever during his career, which includes MLB time with Toronto (2002-03), Tampa Bay (2004-06), LA Dodgers (2006-07) and Florida (2008). Hendrickson has signed with the Baltimore Orioles for the 2009, which will give the Washington State native the chance to pitch in front friends and family from York County. A two sport star at Washington State University, Hendrickson also played in the NBA from 1996 to 2000, for Philadelphia, Sacramento, New Jersey and Cleveland.

"We're all looking forward to playing the Revolution, all the players are. I hope we can be competitive and have a fun day, to show York County how good these leagues are. We're proud of all of our players," said Holtzapple.

The new partnership with the York Revolution will be re-evaluated on a year to year basis, in respect to the dates and times the stadium will be used to accommodate the Susquehanna and Central Leagues. The Revolution's Atlantic League schedule will most often determine when non-Atlantic League events will be held at the stadium.

Season tickets and mini-plans for the 2009 season are now on sale. Opening Day is May 1 against the Lancaster Barnstormers.

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Atlantic League Stories from January 29, 2009


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