No Longer Living Here in Allentown

by Dan Wachowski
May 5, 2004 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Allentown Ambassadors


In the early 80's Billy Joel sang that "they're closing all the factories down" in Allentown, and now in 2004 after seven seasons the Ambassadors join the list of closings.

With opening day only three weeks away the Northeast League website and the Allentown Morning Call have reported that Ambassadors owner, Peter Karoly, has announced the suspension of operations for the 2004 season. His suspension signifies the termination of his partnership with the Northeast League.

In reading Mr. Karoly's comments in the Morning Call, it is easy to see that he dropped the Ams to be involved with a group that would in all probability bring a new ballpark and a Major League affiliated team to the Allentown area. After losing 3.5 million dollars on his independent league team, it's justified, but his timing stinks.

"We are very sorry to lose Allentown," stated Commissioner Miles Wolff. "They have been a key member of our league for the past seven years. The 2004 season will continue as planned with eight teams."

At this point there is no indication how the league will handle the Ambassador players under contract for the 2004 season, but the remaining seven teams have agreed to share the burden of creating the "Aces", a road team, similar to the Pennsylvania Road Warrior of the Atlantic League. The Aces will be slated to play the Ambassadors 92-game schedule in its entirety, but completely on the road.

New Jersey Jackals manager, Joe Calfapietra, can give the Aces some pointers. His 2002 Gary South Shore Railcats spent their inaugural season on the road while the U.S. Steel Yard was being completed.

The 2004 Northeast League season begins on May 26.



Canadian American League Stories from May 5, 2004


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