The Empire Professional Baseball League has announced the participants for the 2019 Empire League All Star Game and Home Run Derby that will take place on July 21st in Saranac Lake, New York.

For the players list, visit the   All Star Game    link to view the finalist for the Home Run Derby and the All Star Game.

In that list, 10 Wild players  have been selected which include   HR Derby participant Charles Barebo, and ASG participants Patrick Sheehan, Steven Figueroa , Kenneth Hutchinson, Nick Landell, Mark Shkrelja, Sean Washington, Anthony Shkrelja, Nicholas Cottone and Joe Gratton.

The Home Run Derby will consist of 6 players from the 6 Empire League teams each representing their team. They will compete in a Bracket round 1 in which the 3 winners will advance into the final round swing off. Each player will have 10 outs in every round to hit as many Home Runs as possible.  Kids will be allowed to chase fly balls in the outfield if registered 2 hours prior to the Home Run Derby.  Derby will begin at  1pm and will be followed by the All Star Game.

After the All Star Game, there will be a Tap Take over Annual All Star Night Celebration at Hotel Saranac honoring our veterans in which proceeds will benefit non profit charities starting at 5:30pm. Fans, family and friends are all invited Join us for a celebration  night to remember for a good cause.

Tickets for the All Star Game will be available only at the gate at the Saranac Lake Surge field.  Admission is $10 for adults and Children are free. Get there 2 hours prior to the game for batting practice, autographs, photo opportunities and to witness balls flying into Saranac Lake.

Article by Empire Media

TAMPA, FL –  Scott Nathanson is ready for another season of Empire League Baseball as the leader of the New Hampshire Wild who made the playoffs in 2018 and helped advance many players to higher levels of baseball.

Nathanson will return for his fourth season as a manager in the Empire Professional Baseball League and his second as the manager of the New Hampshire Wild.

“Scott is the perfect man and a great example of what we look for in our managers. He’s a leader, he understands the purpose of the league and most importantly he wants the best for all players including advancing them to higher levels. Those are the types of leaders we want and we have in Nate.” – Jerry Gonzalez

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TAMPA, FL –  2018 right handed pitcher with the New Hampshire Wild, Ryan Mordecai has signed to play with the Florence Freedom of the Frontier League.

Mordecai, 24, posted  a 4.11 ERA as a relief pitcher  with a (2-1) record  in 15.1 innings of work striking out 14 batters.

Article by Empire Media

TAMPA FL – Just days after the season is over, Justin Lemanski was awarded reliever of the year in the  Empire League. He will now move on to play at the next level with the Quebec Capitales of the CanAm League.

Lemanski posted outstanding numbers for the New Hampshire Wild as a reliever tossing 25 innings of work posting a 1.44 ERA with a record of (2-0). Lemanski was lights out all season long throwing a lot of strikes. In the 25 innings he struck out a total of 25 batters.

What a week it has been for Justin as it just so happens that today is his Birthday. Not only was he clutch for the Wild but he was awarded reliever of the year and now will be playing at a high level of baseball.

The Empire League wishes Justin the best of Luck and look forward to continued success.

Article by Empire Media

PLATTSBURGH, NY – Benny Collesano woke up today thinking he would be going to pitch the elimination Wild Card Game against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Instead, he was selected by the Sussex County Miners of the CanAm League.

The right handed throwing Collesano  posted a 3.05 ERA in  41.1 innings pitched  with 25 strikeouts for the New Hampshire Wild.

The Empire League would like to congratulate Benny Collesano and wish him the best of luck moving forward.

Article by Empire Media

PLATTSBURGH, NY –  Todays Wild Card Playoffs did not disappoint anyone in attendance as they got to see two of the best games ever played in Empire League History.

In Game one the Puerto Rico Islanders defeated the New Hampshire Wild 1-0 in a 12 inning pitchers duel. Luis Contreras was beyond perfect as he went  8.1 innings pitched without allowing a single hit.  With this amazing performance, Luis also passed the league leader Matt Vogel in strikeouts and has set the Empire League record after his 13 strikeouts with a season total of 84. The League leader in ERA, Matt Quintana, came in to relief Contreras and struck out 9 batters which puts him 3rd in the season with 75 total strikeouts. The Puerto Rico Islanders set a new record for most strikeouts in a game by striking out 22 total batters.

The Wild got their first hit of the game in the 11th inning which was a pop fly that was  dropped due to miscommunication by the Islanders outfield.

Paul Geha got the start for the New Hampshire Wild and was stellar going 7 innings  allowing just 4 hits and striking out 7 batters.

In the bottom of the 12th Inning, The Islanders outfielder Ryan River hit a single to the left side to score Kyle Schade and advance the Islanders to the Championship Series.

Two great baseball games were played in the Empire League today and great pitching was seen.

The Islanders will face off against the Bucks tomorrow at 1pm for game one of the finals.

Article by Empire Media

CONCORD, NH – The New Hampshire Wild have officially clinched the 2018 Empire League Playoffs after a comeback victory over the Old Orchard Beach Surge.

The Wild have just 4 games remaining in the season and even if they lose all 4 games, the team will win the head to head  against the only other team that could be a threat which is the Old Orchard Beach Surge. The  Surge have 4 games remaining as well against the Aguada Explorers who have struggled big time at the end of the season. A series sweep would mean the Surge would need help from the New York Bucks  to take out the Plattsburgh RedBirds.

If the Wild can finish strong against the Puerto Rico Islanders, the team can take the 3rd seed.   During these Playoffs, the number 2 seed will take on the number 3 seed in a one game Wild Card Playoff to see who will advance to the 2018 EPBL Championship series and the number 1 seed will face off against the number 4 seed.

This will be the Wild’s  first playoff appearance in team history.

All Wild Card games will be played on August 10th at Chip Cummings Field. Followed by the Championship Series on the 11th to the 13th.

Article by Empire Media

TAMPA, FL – Empire Leagues Left handed pitcher Mitchell Hillert has been selected by the Irish National Team to represent Ireland.

Hillert, is a two year Empire League player who started his career as a  rookie in the Empire Leagues 2017 season with the Puerto Rico Islanders pitching nearly 50 innings and striking out 37 batters posting a (4-3) record.

He would sign once again out of camp in 2018 with the New Hampshire Wild.  Hillert pitched 27 innings striking out 20 batters before departing to Ireland for his first selection in the World Level of competition.

Im exited and beyond happy to represent Ireland and my family from Kildare. – Mitch Hillert

Hillert joins an elite group of Empire League Players who have moved on to play at elite level of professional baseball.

Article by Empire Media

RINCON, PR –  New Hampshire Wild Ace has been moved to the York Revolution of the Atlantic League and is on his way from Puerto Rico to York to report with the team today by 2pm.

Matthew Vogel impressed early on in the season as the Leagues strikeout leader and is now on his way to a level most guys would never get a shot to play in.

“This league is not about who is winning or who is losing, this league is about who is getting better and who is ready to go to the next level. When the call comes in from the high levels, I can personally select the player who has shown deserving of that opportunity. Character wise and on the playing field. My scouting staff and I are excited for Vogel, and we wish him the best of luck on his journey at the next level” – President Eddie Gonzalez

“I got to see both starts and he was everything i’d want in a pitcher. Here in the Empire League we pride ourselves in helping these young ball players advance to the next levels and this is another great opportunity for another one of our guys” – Dir of Player Development Jerry Gonzalez