Amid Scandal, Capital Region College Baseball Team Folds
The Saratoga Revolution will not be a part of the New York Collegiate Baseball League in 2017. The Revolution were announced as a new expansion team in late 2016 to the NYCBL. The New York Collegiate Baseball League, founded in 1978, is a summer wood bat development league for professional baseball. Major League Baseball funds a small portion of the leagues annual budget. The league gives college players who have not yet signed a professional contract the opportunity to develop their skills at a higher level of play, gain experience with wood bats, and be evaluated by scouts They NYCBL has produced MLB talent including Dallas Braden, Hunter Pence, Rajai Davis, Tim Hudson and Brad Lidge. The NYCBL released this statement in regards to the Saratoga Revolution ceasing operations in 2017.
On January 5th, 2017 the NYCBL was alerted to allegations surrounding the President of the Saratoga Revolution that could compromise the integrity of the league and affect the organization’s ability to participate in the NYCBL. After due diligence and deliberation, the NYCBL has revoked the probationary franchise given to the Saratoga Revolution, thus they will not be participating as a team in the NYCBL for the upcoming 2017 season. The NYCBL would entertain an application for a franchise in Saratoga for the 2018 season. The NYCBL has been informed that all monies received by the organization with respect to player fees and sponsorships will be fully refunded. In addition, the NYCBL will work with the remaining members of the Saratoga Revolution Board, attempting to place any player currently under contract with Saratoga with another team. The NYCBL has taken this action to protect the integrity of its league, the alliance of which it is a part of and its many partners.The revised 2017 schedule will be re-released by January 27th.
According to CBS6, Revolution owner and co-founder Tom Coons was arrested and charged with stealing over $3,000 from the Maple Avenue Middle School yearbook club. Coons was a teacher at Maple Hill middle school and is currently on administrative leave.
As a former broadcaster in the NYCBL (Geneva 2010, Syracuse Salt Cats 2011-2013), I am discouraged that fans here in the capital region will not be able to see NYCBL teams in action this summer. What do you make of the folding of the Saratoga Revolution. Let us know below.