2002 NECBL season
Encyclopedia
The 2002 NECBL season was the ninth season in the history of the New England Collegiate Baseball League
. The league expanded to twelve franchises with the addition of the North Adams SteepleCats
of North Adams, Massachusetts
and the Sanford Mainers
of Sanford, Maine
, the league's first franchise in the New England
state of Maine
. Also, the league's Willimantic, Connecticut
franchise changed its named from the Eastern Tides to the Thread City Tides Tides.
In the quarterfinal playoff rounds, Danbury defeated Middletown 2-0, Newport defeated North Adams 2-1, Keene defeated Torrington 2-1, and Mill City defeated Concord 2-1. In the semifinal rounds, Newport defeated Danbury 2-0, and Keene defeated Lowell 2-1, setting up a championship series between the Newport Gulls
and the Keene Swamp Bats
. In game 1, Newport defeated Keene 8-4, and in game 2, Newport defeated Keene 3-2 to win the NECBL championship.
Bryan LaHair
New England Collegiate Baseball League
The New England Collegiate Baseball League is a 12-team collegiate summer baseball league founded in 1993 and sanctioned by the NCAA and Major League Baseball. Each NECBL team plays an eight-week, 42-game schedule during June and July, with a playoff in early August...
. The league expanded to twelve franchises with the addition of the North Adams SteepleCats
North Adams SteepleCats
The North Adams SteepleCats are a collegiate summer baseball team based in North Adams, Massachusetts, United States. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays its home games at Joe Wolfe Field in North Adams....
of North Adams, Massachusetts
North Adams, Massachusetts
North Adams is a city in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 13,708 as of the 2010 census, making it the least populous city in the state...
and the Sanford Mainers
Sanford Mainers
The Sanford Mainers are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Sanford, Maine. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays their home games at Goodall Park.-Postseason appearances:-External links:* *...
of Sanford, Maine
Sanford, Maine
Sanford is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 20,798 in the 2010 census, the highest of the York County towns, and the 8th largest in the state. Situated on the Mousam River, Sanford includes the village of Springvale...
, the league's first franchise in the New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
state of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. Also, the league's Willimantic, Connecticut
Willimantic, Connecticut
Willimantic is a census-designated place and former city located in the town of Windham in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was estimated at 15,823 at the 2000 census. It is home to Eastern Connecticut State University, as well as the Windham Textile and History Museum....
franchise changed its named from the Eastern Tides to the Thread City Tides Tides.
In the quarterfinal playoff rounds, Danbury defeated Middletown 2-0, Newport defeated North Adams 2-1, Keene defeated Torrington 2-1, and Mill City defeated Concord 2-1. In the semifinal rounds, Newport defeated Danbury 2-0, and Keene defeated Lowell 2-1, setting up a championship series between the Newport Gulls
Newport Gulls
The Newport Gulls are a wooden-bat, summer collegiate baseball team based in Newport, Rhode Island. The Newport Gulls Baseball Club is a member of both the New England Collegiate Baseball League and the NECBL's East Division. From 2001 to the present, the Gulls have played at Cardines...
and the Keene Swamp Bats
Keene Swamp Bats
The Keene Swamp Bats are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Keene, New Hampshire. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League , plays their home games at Alumni Field. In the NECBL, they are consistently one of the top teams and have reached the league playoffs in each...
. In game 1, Newport defeated Keene 8-4, and in game 2, Newport defeated Keene 3-2 to win the NECBL championship.
Western Division
| Team | Wins | Losses | Win Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danbury Westerners Danbury Westerners The Danbury Westerners are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Danbury, Connecticut. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays their home games at Rogers Park. The team played its inaugural season in 1995.... |
25 | 16 | .610 | 0 |
| North Adams SteepleCats North Adams SteepleCats The North Adams SteepleCats are a collegiate summer baseball team based in North Adams, Massachusetts, United States. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays its home games at Joe Wolfe Field in North Adams.... |
23 | 19 | .548 | 2.5 |
| Torrington Twisters New Bedford Bay Sox The New Bedford Bay Sox are a baseball team that plays in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate summer baseball league located in the northeastern United States region of New England. The team is located in New Bedford, Massachusetts. New Bedford's Paul Walsh Field serves as... |
22 | 20 | .524 | 3.5 |
| Manchester Silkworms Manchester Silkworms The Manchester Silkworms were a collegiate summer baseball team located in Manchester, Connecticut playing in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, a wood bat collegiate summer baseball league operating in the northeastern United States region of New England. The team, an expansion franchise... |
16 | 26 | .381 | 9.5 |
Northern Division
| Team | Wins | Losses | Win Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keene Swamp Bats Keene Swamp Bats The Keene Swamp Bats are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Keene, New Hampshire. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League , plays their home games at Alumni Field. In the NECBL, they are consistently one of the top teams and have reached the league playoffs in each... |
31 | 11 | .738 | 0 |
| Concord Quarry Dogs Holyoke Blue Sox The Holyoke Blue Sox are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays its home games at Mackenzie Stadium... |
24 | 17 | .585 | 6.5 |
| Lowell All-Americans | 24 | 18 | .571 | 7 |
| Sanford Mainers Sanford Mainers The Sanford Mainers are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Sanford, Maine. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays their home games at Goodall Park.-Postseason appearances:-External links:* *... |
15 | 27 | .357 | 16 |
Southern Division
| Team | Wins | Losses | Win Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport Gulls Newport Gulls The Newport Gulls are a wooden-bat, summer collegiate baseball team based in Newport, Rhode Island. The Newport Gulls Baseball Club is a member of both the New England Collegiate Baseball League and the NECBL's East Division. From 2001 to the present, the Gulls have played at Cardines... |
25 | 17 | .595 | 0 |
| Middletown Giants North Shore Navigators The North Shore Navigators are a wooden-bat, collegiate summer baseball team based in Lynn, Massachusetts, playing in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The team plays home games at Fraser Field in Lynn... |
23 | 19 | .548 | 2 |
| Riverpoint Royals Riverpoint Royals The Riverpoint Royals was a team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League from 1996 to 2004. The team was known as the Rhode Island Reds from 1996 to 1999 before going on hiatus for the 2000 season and returning the following year.... |
13 | 29 | .310 | 12 |
| Thread City Tides | 10 | 32 | .238 | 15 |
League leaders
| Keene | 33 | ||
| 2B | Joseph Cantone | Riverpoint | 12 |
| 3B | Mike Wagner | North Adams | 4 |
| HR | Bennett Stapf | Danbury | 7 |
| TB | Mike Wagner | North Adams | 85 |
| SB | Rafael Lara | Newport | 22 |
| K | David Humen | Keene | 77 |
League Awards
| Award | Player | NECBL team |
|---|---|---|
| Most Valuable Player | Mike Wagner | North Adams |
| Top Pro Prospect | Grant Reynolds | Concord |
| Batting Champion | Mike Wagner (.342) | North Adams |
| 10th Player Award | Trey Hendricks | Keene |
| Defensive Player of the Year | Rafael Lara | Newport |
| Top Pitcher | Grant Reynolds | Concord |
| Top Relief Pitcher | Chris Homer | North Adams |
| Sportsmanship Award | Ranger Wiens | Newport |
| Rookie of the Year | Jeff Frazier | Danbury |
| Most Improved Player | Mike Bergeron | Newport |
| Manager of the Year | Paul Swingle | Keene |
Attendance
| Rnk | Team | Year Total | Game Average | Rnk Change¿ | Total Att Change | Game Avg Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keene Swamp Bats Keene Swamp Bats The Keene Swamp Bats are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Keene, New Hampshire. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League , plays their home games at Alumni Field. In the NECBL, they are consistently one of the top teams and have reached the league playoffs in each... |
38,898 | 1,852 | +1 | +7,889 | +302 |
| 2 | Torrington Twisters New Bedford Bay Sox The New Bedford Bay Sox are a baseball team that plays in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate summer baseball league located in the northeastern United States region of New England. The team is located in New Bedford, Massachusetts. New Bedford's Paul Walsh Field serves as... |
29,345 | 1,467 | +1 | +7,454 | +251 |
| 3 | Concord Quarry Dogs Holyoke Blue Sox The Holyoke Blue Sox are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays its home games at Mackenzie Stadium... |
30,315 | 1,443 | -2 | -1,352 | -140 |
| 4 | North Adams SteepleCats North Adams SteepleCats The North Adams SteepleCats are a collegiate summer baseball team based in North Adams, Massachusetts, United States. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays its home games at Joe Wolfe Field in North Adams.... † |
19,087 | 908 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 5 | Newport Gulls Newport Gulls The Newport Gulls are a wooden-bat, summer collegiate baseball team based in Newport, Rhode Island. The Newport Gulls Baseball Club is a member of both the New England Collegiate Baseball League and the NECBL's East Division. From 2001 to the present, the Gulls have played at Cardines... |
16,640 | 792 | -1 | +5,149 | +116 |
| 6 | Sanford Mainers Sanford Mainers The Sanford Mainers are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Sanford, Maine. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays their home games at Goodall Park.-Postseason appearances:-External links:* *... † |
13,829 | 658 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 7 | Manchester Silkworms Manchester Silkworms The Manchester Silkworms were a collegiate summer baseball team located in Manchester, Connecticut playing in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, a wood bat collegiate summer baseball league operating in the northeastern United States region of New England. The team, an expansion franchise... |
8,728 | 415 | -2 | +757 | -5 |
| 8 | Danbury Westerners Danbury Westerners The Danbury Westerners are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Danbury, Connecticut. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays their home games at Rogers Park. The team played its inaugural season in 1995.... |
6,992 | 368 | -2 | +2,186 | +128 |
| 9 | Middletown Giants North Shore Navigators The North Shore Navigators are a wooden-bat, collegiate summer baseball team based in Lynn, Massachusetts, playing in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The team plays home games at Fraser Field in Lynn... |
7,561 | 360 | +0 | +5,736 | +253 |
| 10 | Thread City Tides | 4,226 | 201 | +0 | +2,363 | +108 |
| 11 | Riverpoint Royals Riverpoint Royals The Riverpoint Royals was a team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League from 1996 to 2004. The team was known as the Rhode Island Reds from 1996 to 1999 before going on hiatus for the 2000 season and returning the following year.... |
3,800 | 172 | -4 | +534 | +9 |
| 12 | Mill City All Americans | 2,975 | 156 | -4 | +206 | +10 |
| TOTAL | NECBL | 182,396 | 735 | – | +63,838 | -257 |
- ¿ Comparisons in relation to 2001 NECBL season2001 NECBL seasonThe 2001 NECBL season was the eighth season of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The league expanded to ten franchises with the addition of a second New Hampshire franchise, the Concord Quarry Dogs of Concord, New Hampshire. Also, the league's West Warwick, Rhode Island franchise...
. - † The North Adams SteepleCats and Sanford Mainers were founded for the 2003 season.