Possible Oneonta Expansion

[Andrew]

Do they have a website?

I like new ballparks as well, but I also enjoy the history of some of the older ballparks.

[johnnymac]

The new Oneonta team? Not yet, no.

Damaschke Field is easily one of the best parks in the Eastern Division in terms of amenities right away. While some of the pictures online aren't great, the field was just upgraded a few years ago it looks fairly nice now with the improvements. Not a lot of pictures of the park online to begin with since the old owners weren't very web savy. And last year's group didn't have too much of a web presence either.

Nice little park, a lot like Falcon Park and Dwyer Stadium in Batavia but maybe a little step back in some respects. Overall it's not a bad park and has some great history - John Elway played his lone baseball season there (among other players that have come down the pike).

[Andrew]

My Dad was in Air Force and back in the late 80's, we were stationed in Rome, NY. I have many fond memories of my Dad carting us to Cooperstown, Oneonta, Utica and several other baseball towns to watch NY Penn League games. Great memories.

[necblfan]

Speaking of nice NYPL parks, I've been to Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy (Tri-City ValleyCats, HOU ss-A) a few times and the atmosphere is fantastic! Even with rain and the worst record in the league last summer, they still had solid attendance numbers. The tri-city area in New York really is a great spot for baseball, with the ValleyCats, ECBL, and NYCBL all active in the area.

[mark]

Saratoga Phillies moving to Oneonta.

[nycblnut]

www.thedailystar.com/local/local_story_044040006.html

"Saratoga played its home games at the East Side Recreation Baseball Complex and said they averaged about 500 to 700 fans per game. "

This is the problem with the NYCBL. The people running the teams not only know nothing about baseball but lie about this and act like the league is a Double-A league. According to the NYCBL website Saratoga only averaged 120 per game.

[mark]

They should draw more in Oneonta.

[cra]

the nycbl isnt the only loop that pulls this bush league stunt of padding attendance and if cooperstown continues to fight this move which they are then what do they do if oneonta goes to another loop . i dunno maybe/ctown would want the nypl back down the road so they could get a real feel for competition . all oneonta wants is their field to have a tennant and backing baseball for 44 yrs should entitle ya to that imo

[coachsavage]

I think no matter where a team is located, it's all about the people who run the team and how much they market/advertise the team. It has to be a fun atmosphere for the fans. Winning games always helps but people just want to have a good time for their $5 (or whatever it costs)

[necblfan]

At least this will help the Glens Falls team, located nearby Saratoga. They already draw 500-700 a game (no, really, I've been to a few) and with Saratoga moving the closest NYCBL team is now in Albany, an hour away, so this will do nothing but help attendance.

[mark]

2009 average 558.

www.nycbl.com/Portals/0/09leaguestats/gf.htm

[cra]

they outta be outlawed in oneonta for thats the name the oneonta outlaws per the local newspaper

[bishopleftiesdad]

In 2011 they claims Oneonta Averaged 1659

nycbl.bbstats.pointstreak.com/attendance.html?leagueid=622&seasonid=1614

Next closest was Geneva with 317