Watertown Bucks

Watertown Bucks
League Empire Professional Baseball League
Location Watertown, New York
Ballpark Alex Duffy Fairgrounds
Year founded 2015
Year folded 2016
Former league(s) East Coast Baseball League (2015)
North Country Baseball League (2015)
Manager Simon Walters
Website www.oobsurgebaseball.com

The Watertown Bucks were an independent American professional baseball team based in Watertown, New York. The Bucks played in the newly formed Empire Professional Baseball League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, during its inaugural season. The Bucks played in the North Country Baseball League in 2015. They were previously a member of the short lived East Coast Baseball League.

History

In 2015, the Bucks were set to be a member of the East Coast Baseball League.[1] The team was owned by Bruce Zicari and was to be managed by Kelly Stinnett. General Manager and NCBL Executive was Matt McClusky.[2] Prior the planned start of the ECBL's first season the American teams, including the Bucks, pulled of the league to form the North Country Baseball League.[3]

2015 season

The Bucks posted a record of 16-23 in the start-up league.[4] The Bucks promoted no players to the higher Independent Leagues.[5] The team drew 9,250 fans, for an average of 237 a game.[6] The team played its first game against the Road City Explorers on Memorial Day.[7]

2016 season

The Bucks were announced to play in the newly formed Empire Professional Baseball League.[8] The Bucks announced Simon Walters as manager January 5.[9] The Empire League named Kyle Scodo as general manager and operations manager of the Watertown Bucks on January 12.[10] It was reported that Bruce Zicari would no longer own the team in 2016, and that it would be owned by the league.[11] On January 26, Watertown Superintendent of Park and Recreation, Erin Gardner, endorsed the Empires League's offer to sign an franchise agreement.[12] The Empire League Director stated with regards to the team that league will have "all the money in place before the season ever begins".[13] After finishing the season, the Buck lost their lease for the stadium and ceased operations.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "East Coast Baseball League News: Munoz, OOB, Road City". www.baseballessential.com. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  2. ↑ http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/sports/mcclusky-watertown-bucks-learning-on-the-job-20150615. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ↑ "ECBL Folds, North Country Baseball League Formed". Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  4. ↑ "NCBL Standings". www.northcountrybaseballleague.com. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  5. ↑ "NCBL League". www.northcountrybaseballleague.com. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  6. ↑ "Watertown Bucks owner optimistic despite disappointing attendance figures". Watertown Daily Times. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
  7. ↑ "Watertown Bucks manager Stinnett ready to get season started today". Watertown Daily Times. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
  8. ↑ "WE ARE A GO! | Empire League News". empireproleague.com. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  9. ↑ "Simon Walters Manager of Watertown Bucks | Empire League News". empireproleague.com. Retrieved 2016-01-06.
  10. ↑ "GM and Operations Manager of Watertown in Place – Empire League". Retrieved 2016-01-14.
  11. ↑ "Local baseball: Watertown Bucks may be resurrected for new league". Watertown Daily Times. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  12. ↑ "City of Watertown". www.newzjunky.com. Retrieved 2016-01-29.
  13. ↑ "New Group Takes Another Swing at Baseball in Watertown". TWC News. Retrieved 2016-01-29.
  14. ↑ "Weekly Sports League & Franchise Report". OurSports Central. November 7, 2016.
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