Rapids Open Season Thursday Night
May 31, 2021 - Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL)
Watertown Rapids News Release
The crack of the bat will be heard once again at the Alex Duffy Fairgrounds this Thursday night. After a year without baseball, fans will be treated to top quality collegiate level baseball as the Watertown Rapids take the home field for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.
Rapids general manager Nick Czerow announced plans for opening night, with ceremonies commencing at 6:00, and the first pitch against the visiting Auburn Doubledays at 6:30. Czerow noted that "North Country fans have been waiting for over a year for this moment, and our players and staff will make sure it's an evening to remember. "
Watertown Mayor Jeff Smith will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at 6:10, accompanied by the Watertown City Council, and local dignitaries. Local Boy Scout Troop 65 of Alexandria Bay will present the nation's colors.
Rapids Field Manager Ben Moxley and Assistant Field Manager John Boland will lead their 30 recruits onto the field against the former NY-Penn League Doubledays. Members of the team are active collegiate players recruited from states ranging from Washington State to Utah, Texas, and North Carolina and from California to Connecticut. They play for colleges large (University of California at Irvine) and small (Iona College).
Fans of local baseball will be delighted to see three players representing the North Country. Besides Watertown High standout Ryan Peters, the Rapids will feature Lowville infielder Brett Myers, and utility player Jake Millich, from Carthage.
For the full team roster visit www.watertown-rapids.com
Czerow said the team is advancing two new initiatives this year that will involve the whole community.
The first is the Rapids Support Team Powered by the Northern New York Community Foundation that is providing more opportunities to support north country charitable endeavors through the Watertown Rapids. The other initiative is the "Watertown Nine Wall of Fame" in which the Rapids will honor the nine greatest players ever to play for Watertown at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds, as chosen with input from the fans.
The Rapids are members of the nationally respected Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, a wooden baseball bat summer league that features top college players from all over the country. The Rapids began play at Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds in 2018, suspending play due to the pandemic in 2020 and resuming play Thursday.
Opening Night tickets are still available for $8 at the Alex Duffy Fairgrounds or by calling (315) 836-1545.
Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League Stories from May 31, 2021
- Rapids Open Season Thursday Night - Watertown Rapids
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