DEFENDING CHAMPS ATHLETICS GEAR UP FOR 2008 SEASON
MAJORITY OF 2007 CLUB RETURNS PLUS NEWCOMERS AIM FOR 8TH STATE TITLE
Defending State champion and Twilight League champion the Albany Athletics are closing in on finalizing their 2008 roster and schedule as they near their May season opener in the Twilight League. The Athletics will return 14 players from a 2007 team that went 46-7 overall and 20-3 in the league while also adding several high caliber NCAA Division I, II and NJCAA players to fill voids left by a number of players moving on to professional baseball, NCAA leagues down south, and retiring.
The Athletics, who captured their 7th state championship in July, are scheduled to open the season on May 18th against Davies AC who they swept in the Twilight League Championship Series. Albany’s schedule is also highlighted by a visit to Philadelphia on the weekend of June 27-29 to face the AAABA champions ABCO Phillies and other Starzel League teams. Furthermore, Albany hosts the 10th annual Athletics Baseball Fest at Central Park on July 11-13 where eight teams will visit the Capital Region for a round robin event.
In early July, the Athletics will also play at Cooperstown’s Doubleday Field against NYCBL foe Geneva Redwings whom they last played to a 4-4 tie on June 4, 1999. Throughout the season, Albany has also sprinkled in a few games with Capital District NABA teams as well.
Overall, the A’s will play over a 40-game schedule which includes 24 league games and tournaments. The Twilight post season and AABC postseason commence in late July with the State Tournament starting Friday, July 25th in Syracuse and the Regional Tournament beginning Thursday, July 31st in Albany.