Newburgh Nighthawks
Encyclopedia
The Newburgh Night Hawks were a minor league
baseball team based in Newburgh, New York. The team played its games in The Northeast League n/k/a The Can-Am League of professional baseball. The Northeast League was an independent baseball league and as such none of its teams had an affiliation with Major League Baseball
. The team existed from 1995-1996 and played its home games at Delano-Hitch Stadium
in Newburgh.
. The Night Hawks would finish the first season in the league with a 28-41 record, which placed them 4th in the 6 team league, 23 1/2 games out of first place. After the first season the Night Hawks would be one of only 3 of the six original teams that would return for a second season. Although the team would bring in about 1,000 fans per game but team owner, Bill Cummings would sell the team leaving $30,000 in debt.
The Night Hawks would have a fairly successful season in the following year, they would win the first half of the league season and finished with a 55-25 record. They would lose the Northern League Championship to Albany
three games to one The team would feature former big leaguers, Joel Bennett
and Ken Dixon. They would also average better than 1,000 fans per game. At the end of the 1996 season, new team owner, Jeff Kunion, unhappy with the length of time that plans were progressing on improving aging Delano-Hitch Stadium decided to fold the team. The team would be replaced by the Waterbury Spirit for the 1997 season.
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
baseball team based in Newburgh, New York. The team played its games in The Northeast League n/k/a The Can-Am League of professional baseball. The Northeast League was an independent baseball league and as such none of its teams had an affiliation with Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The team existed from 1995-1996 and played its home games at Delano-Hitch Stadium
Delano-Hitch Stadium
Delano-Hitch Stadium is a stadium in Newburgh, New York; it has a current capacity of 3,100.-Early years:Baseball in Newburgh goes back to the 1860s: the Hudson River club played from 1863–67, compiling a 18-18 record against many of the top teams of the day...
in Newburgh.
History
The Night Hawks were one of the 6 original Northeast League franchises in 1995. In that first season all six teams were located in the State of New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The Night Hawks would finish the first season in the league with a 28-41 record, which placed them 4th in the 6 team league, 23 1/2 games out of first place. After the first season the Night Hawks would be one of only 3 of the six original teams that would return for a second season. Although the team would bring in about 1,000 fans per game but team owner, Bill Cummings would sell the team leaving $30,000 in debt.
The Night Hawks would have a fairly successful season in the following year, they would win the first half of the league season and finished with a 55-25 record. They would lose the Northern League Championship to Albany
Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs
The Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs were a minor league baseball team based in Albany, New York from 1995 to 2002. The team played at Heritage Park in Colonie. The Diamond Dogs competed in the Northeast League from 1995-98 and then in the Northern League when the two leagues merged prior to the 1999...
three games to one The team would feature former big leaguers, Joel Bennett
Joel Bennett
Joel Bennett is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He bats and throws right-handed.Bennett was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 21st round of the 1991 amateur draft...
and Ken Dixon. They would also average better than 1,000 fans per game. At the end of the 1996 season, new team owner, Jeff Kunion, unhappy with the length of time that plans were progressing on improving aging Delano-Hitch Stadium decided to fold the team. The team would be replaced by the Waterbury Spirit for the 1997 season.