Baltimore Blast (1980-92)
Encyclopedia
Baltimore Blast were a longtime member of the Major Indoor Soccer League. From 1978 to 1980, the team was played as Houston Summit but moved prior to the 1980-81 season. The team won the league's championship in 1984. The team folded when the MISL ceased operation in the summer of 1992.
's "Celebration
" to celebrate scoring goals. The aggressive promotion of the team by radio partner WFBR
, then 1300 AM was instrumental in its popularity, as well. Art Sinclair and Charley Eckman
handled the play-by-play. They were owned by Bernie Rodin, who also owned the Rochester Lancers
and the New York Arrows
. Mike Zolotorow was the long time Equipment Manager for 20 years.
History
The team used Kool & The GangKool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang are an American jazz, R&B, soul, and funk group, originally formed as the Jazziacs in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964.They went through several musical phases during the course of their recording career, starting out with a purist jazz sound, then becoming practitioners of R&B and...
's "Celebration
Celebration (song)
"Celebration" is a song released in 1980 by Kool & the Gang from their album Celebrate!. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on February 7, 1981 and held that position until February 20, 1981. Late in 1980, the song had also reached number one on both the Billboard Dance and R&B...
" to celebrate scoring goals. The aggressive promotion of the team by radio partner WFBR
WFBR (AM)
WFBR is a radio station broadcasting a Talk/Personality format. It is licensed for Glen Burnie, Maryland. The station is currently owned by Way Broadcasting Licensee, LLC....
, then 1300 AM was instrumental in its popularity, as well. Art Sinclair and Charley Eckman
Charley Eckman
Charles Markwood "Charley" Eckman Jr. was an NBA basketball coach, minor league baseball player, NCAA and NBA basketball referee, broadcaster, and author....
handled the play-by-play. They were owned by Bernie Rodin, who also owned the Rochester Lancers
Rochester Lancers
The Rochester Lancers were a soccer team based in Rochester, New York that played in the American Soccer League from 1967 until 1969 and the North American Soccer League from 1970 to 1980 at Aquinas Stadium...
and the New York Arrows
New York Arrows
The New York Arrows was an indoor soccer team that played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1978 to 1984. They won the first four MISL championships.-Preparing for the first season:...
. Mike Zolotorow was the long time Equipment Manager for 20 years.
Year-by-year
Year | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Attendance Average |
---|---|---|---|---|
1980/81 | MISL | 2nd, Atlantic | Semifinals | 6,540 |
1981/82 | MISL | 3rd, Eastern | Semifinals | 9,557 |
1982/83 | MISL | 1st, Eastern | Final | 10,729 |
1983/84 | MISL | 1st, Eastern | Champions | 11,189 |
1984/85 | MISL | 1st, Eastern | Final | 11,051 |
1985/86 | MISL | 4th, Eastern | Quarterfinals | 10,189 |
1986/87 | MISL | 2nd, Eastern | Division Semifinals | 9,936 |
1987/88 | MISL | 4th, Eastern | Division Semifinals | 8,221 |
1988/89 | MISL | 1st | Final | 8,170 |
1989/90 | MISL | 1st, Eastern | Finals | 8,530 |
1990/91 | MSL | 3rd, Eastern | Did not qualify | 7,432 |
1991/92 | MSL | 4th | Semifinals | 8,206 |
Notable players
Player |
---|
Keith Van Eron Keith Van Eron Keith Van Eron is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played one season in the American Soccer League and three in the North American Soccer League. He also played the first eleven seasons of Major Indoor Soccer League, winning the 1984 championship with the Baltimore Blast... |
Dave MacWilliams Dave MacWilliams Dave MacWilliams is a retired American soccer forward and head coach who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League... |
Mike Stankovic Mike Stankovic Mike Stankovic is a retired Yugoslavian soccer defender who played professionally in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer League.-Biography:... |
Scott Manning Scott Manning (soccer) Scott Manning is a retired American soccer goalkeeper. He spent four seasons in the American Soccer League where he was the 1980 league leading goalkeeper... |
Billy Ronson Billy Ronson William "Billy" Ronson is a retired English footballer who spent twelve seasons in the English leagues, one in the North American Soccer League, six in the Major Indoor Soccer League and another seven years in a variety of lower division indoor and outdoor leagues in the United States... |
Bobby McAvan Bobby McAvan Bobby McAvan is a retired Scottish-Canadian professional soccer player. After retiring he became a commentator on the Baltimore Blast games, before coaching them for the 2002-03 season.-External links:*... |
Tim Wittman Tim Wittman Tim Wittman is a retired American soccer player who is currently the assistant coach with the Johns Hopkins University women's soccer team. He spent his entire professional career playing indoor soccer in the first and second Major Indoor Soccer League, National Professional Soccer League and... |
Joey Fink Joey Fink Joey Fink is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent six seasons in the North American Soccer League, two in the American Soccer League and seven in Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned six caps with the U.S. national team between 1973 and 1975.-Youth and college:Fink played youth soccer... |
Paul Kitson |
Pat Ercoli Pat Ercoli Pat Ercoli is a retired Canadian soccer player who currently works as General Manager of Rochester Rhinos.-Career:... |
Ronnie Simmons |
Cris Vaccaro Cris Vaccaro Cris Vaccaro is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League, American Professional Soccer League and National Professional Soccer League. He is currently an assistant coach with the Stockton State College women's team.-Youth:Vaccaro's father was... |
Heinz Wirtz Heinz Wirtz Heinz Wirtz is a retired German soccer defender who played professionally in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and American Professional Soccer League. He also coached in the National Professional Soccer League.-Career:... |
Peter Baralic Peter Baralić Peter Baralic is a retired Yugoslavian soccer player who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. He later coached the Phoenix Hearts of the Southwest Indoor Soccer League. He was the 1990 SISL Coach of the Year.-Player:In 1979, Baralic signed with... |
Ken Fogarty Ken Fogarty Ken Fogarty is a American soccer coach. Fogarty was Head Coach and Technical Director of the Cayman Islands national team from 1993–1994 and from 1996-1998.-Professional career:... |
Sepp Gantenhammer Sepp Gantenhammer Sepp Gantenhammer is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and the American Indoor Soccer Association.... |
Richard Chinapoo Richard Chinapoo Richard Chinapoo was a Trinidad soccer defender who had an extensive career, primarily in the United States. Chinapoo spent two seasons in the North American Soccer League, eight in the National Professional Soccer League and at least eight in the Major Indoor Soccer League... |
Nick Mangione |
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Stan Stamenkovic Stan Stamenkovic Srboljub Stamenković known professionally in the United States as Stan Stamenkovic was a Yugoslav football player... |