Atlantic League Record Setting Day

Friday April 30th, 2010 was a record setting day in the Atlantic League.  The league set an all-time high for total attendance on one date.  Of the four cities to host a game Friday night, Lancaster, Somerset and South Maryland drew to near capacity with attendance figures exceeding 8,000.  The fourth city, Camden, N.J., drew a healthy 6,000+ also.  Good for them and good for the League.  I guess one of the best kept secrets of baseball isn't so well kept anymore.  Congratulations guys!

The season is starting out with all teams in both divisions in a bunch.  The first nine games of the season have given us no indication about who might separate themselves from the pack.  The Long Island Ducks and Camden River Sharks are tied and hold the early lead in the LIBERY DIVISION while the York Revolution hold a very slim lead over the Newark Bears in the FREEDOM DIVISION.  Long Island's place in the standings is expected.  They are my favorites to win the first-half playoff slot.  York however, while a very balanced and fundamentally sound team, would surprise me if they finish ahead the pack in the first half.  My early pick to win a first-half slot in this division is Lancaster.

Standings Through Saturday May 1st, 2010

Liberty Division:
Long Island Ducks                       5-3
Camden River Sharks                  5-3
South Maryland Blue Crabs        4-5
Bridgeport Bluefish                     3-5

Freedom Division:
York Revolution                        5-4
Newark Bears                            4-4
Lancaster Barnstormers          4-4
Somerset Patriots                      3-5


Atlantic League Players with Major League Experience:
Ryan Freel,  Robinson Cancel,  Dustan Mohr,  Sidney Ponson,  Matt Riley,  Val Majewski, 
Edgardo Alfonzo,  Scott Spiezio,  Armando Benitez,  Willie Banks,  Bobby Hill,  Mike Costanzo,  
Jason Botts, Val Pascucci,  Esteban Yan,  Antonio Alfonseca,  Jorge Julio,  Adam Greenberg,  Denny Stark, Jason Simontacchi, Dan Reichert,

The kids = Jeff Nettles is still playing.  Tim Raines Jr. is an active player in the League.  Pete Rose Jr. played for Lancaster last year and is currently unsigned.

Are there any I am not mentioning?


BTB

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