And when we combine the brands of the Somerset Patriots with the New York Yankees, it’s unstoppable. Your email address will not be published. Bridgewater, NJ – On Tuesday, November 10th, the Somerset Patriots welcomed baseball icons, local elected officials, partners, and fans to announce the team’s selection as the new Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. "We always tell this story, from one of the very first games we had here. Under a restructuring of its minor league system, the New York Yankees officially announced Saturday that the Somerset Patriots will become its Double-A affiliate. His style of delivery is very matter of fact, a dry humor, but after a while, you pick up on it. “And this ballclub, this organization, and this ballpark has seen its share of winners.”. "We have a signature chant that gets played a lot during games. April 21, 2021 - 16 Games Today Menu “Never did we imagine that we would have the opportunity to be a part of the New York Yankees organization. We scheduled a meet-and-greet with them and it sold out the first day it was on sale. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are the property of Minor League Baseball. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz. A big part of the team’s mission is to be a positive force in the community. Steve Kalafer, the owner of the Yankees’ new Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, died of cancer on Wednesday. Opening Day on Tuesday, May 4th will mark Somerset's … The Somerset Patriots will be the team's new … The Somerset Patriots is an American Minor League baseball team based in Bridgewater, New Jersey. "People have asked us if we're going to rebrand, but we've chosen to remain the Patriots. TD Bank Ballpark is the home of the Somerset Patriots, the new Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The name means a lot to the community and the people involved with the team. Stay up to date on all Somerset Patriots news online; on all of our social media platforms, and on … And it’s an enduring legacy that Steve and his family will be leaving to this community.”. “In welcoming the New York Yankees, we have agreed to make this the state-of-the-art minor league facility so that every ballplayer that comes through here will be able to reach their maximum potential.”. Required fields are marked *. It is the beginning of yet another incredible chapter in this long and beautiful journey that we are so grateful to be able to share with you.”. Twenty years later, it's still funny.". The Somerset Patriots played a crucial role in the development of the partnership between the Atlantic League and Major League Baseball that has grown over the past two seasons. The Somerset Patriots are a professional baseball club that provides affordable family fun in Central New Jersey. The Somerset Patriots, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have released their 2021 season schedule. “I can honestly say that I have never looked forward to the baseball season more than I am looking forward to this one,” said Jonathan Kalafer. To honor that rich history, we named the team the Somerset Patriots. The radio voice of the Yankees, John Sterling, opened the festivities and welcomed everyone in attendance to the monumental day. “I’d like to thank our staff, coaches, players, marketing partners, and fans for helping us build something very special here,” said McVerry. BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Somerset Patriots will become a Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees in 2021. It's part of the reputation that we built throughout the last two decades, and one reason the Yankees came to us was because of what we had crafted.". ... And the train -- on the New Jersey Transit Raritan Valley Line -- makes it easy to come in from the city and throughout New Jersey.". “Over two decades ago, an empty parking lot became this beautiful ballpark. Opening Day on Tuesday, May 4th will mark Somerset’s debut as a Major League-affiliated team and member of the Double-A Northeast League. The Yankees announced yesterday that after 18 years, they are moving their double-A affiliate to Bridgewater, New Jersey. As a Jersey-branded burger, it really took off as a popular thing. Sometimes when we post on social media, someone will respond with, 'Somerset!' The Somerset Patriots will announce more information regarding the schedule and 2021 season information in the coming weeks. He was also credited with a stolen base.' Sparkee is really beloved at the ballpark and in the community. Sort by. To date, the team has paid over $21 million to the county for its occupancy of TD Bank Ballpark in a very unique public-private partnership that has kept the ballpark taxpayer neutral. People flock to him wherever he is. The first baseball game my father took me to was at Yankee Stadium and I continued the tradition, taking our sons Jonathan and Josh to their first games there as well. So we made it into a contest, looking for people to update the 'Get Patriotic' theme song. He was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2020. It includes a nice pregame ceremony, free tickets for veterans and discounts for their family and and friends. A couple of weeks later, news broke that the Somerset Patriots had been named the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. About The Somerset Patriots In 2021 and beyond, 11 of the 12 teams that previously had been part of the Eastern League will operate in the Double-A Northeast League. The Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees Double-A Affiliate, have been assigned their manager and coaching staff for the 2021 season. Holiday Toy Drive At TD Bank Ballpark December 1st – 12th, Patriots Chairman Emeritus Steve Kalafer Passes At Age 71, Long-Time Somerset Skipper Jodie Lands In Lincoln, Audio Montages of 2012’s Most Memorable Moments, PATRIOTS DEFEAT SKEETERS 2-1 IN GAME ONE OF DOUBLEHEADER, Somerset Patriots Fan Fest On Saturday, April 14th. “We’ve done this with the wonderful people we work with. It was probably one of the best received things we've ever done.". The Somerset Patriots (Double-A Northeast) have overhauled their jerseys as part of their new affiliation with the New York Yankees for the 2021 season. He was 71 years old. But when he got to third base, he decided he'd just walk away with it. Stay up to date on all Somerset Patriots news online; on all of our social media platforms, and on our mobile app. Longtime Somerset Patriots President/General Manager Patrick McVerry credited the staff, the team’s partners, and the community as a whole for the opportunity to join the Yankees organization. The team averages 5,200 fans per game and 360,000 fans per season. "People have really come to expect the chant. A beautiful, nostalgic ballpark. Bridgewater to Bronx: Meet the Somerset Patriots. They compete in the Double-A Northeast and were previously members of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball from 1998 to 2020. Well here is your chance! The Somerset Patriots are the new Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. I just don't think he has it in him.". (The Thunder, also a central New Jersey entity, are now part of the MLB Draft League.). Kalafer formed the Bridgewater, New Jersey-based Patriots in the independent Atlantic League in 1998 and established close relationships with Joe Torre, Willie Randolph, John Sterling, Suzyn Waldman, and other Yankees organization figures during his … We are now accepting fan submissions of the popular "SOMERSET" chant! "One of our most popular promotions is Veterans of America Day. The Somerset Patriots will make their debut as the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate with a May 4 home opener, which will kick off the team’s 120-game schedule as a member of … Their home of TD Bank Ballpark opened in 1999 in Somerset County's Bridgewater Township. "Our mascot is based on our first manager, Sparky Lyle. The Yankees announced their selection of the Somerset Patriots as their Double-A affiliate on Saturday in a team issued press release. "[TD Bank Ballpark] is very traditional. "For the past two seasons, a big one for us has been the Jersey Burger. We don’t have a merry-go-round and those sorts of things that came with newer ballparks. One of the versions we received [from Sam Capolongo] was so well done. “The relationships we have formed with all of our teams will allow for a more consistent application of training with similarly aligned facilities in terms of structure, quality and ease of travel. Stay up to date on all Somerset Patriots news online; on all of our social media platforms, and on our mobile app. “I can say our partnership was culminating in this new partnership with the New York Yankees. The New York Yankees announced on their website that Michael died Thursday of a heart attack at the age of 79. After more than two decades in the Atlantic League, the team has replaced the Trenton Thunder as the Yankees' Double-A affiliate. Art Shamsky, Cleon Jones, Ron Swoboda and Ed Kranepool were there. It's become our rallying call, hearing someone yell, 'Somerset!' The Patriots unveiled three new uniforms styles on Friday, and each will include a touch of Yankee pride. “Somerset County could not have a better partner in building healthy, family recreation like we have here today at TD Bank Ballpark,” said Robinson. New Jersey businessman Steve Kalafer, owner of Flemington Car & Truck Country and the Somerset Patriots baseball team, died of cancer Wednesday at the age of 71, the team announced. The New York Yankees have made Trenton Thunder owner very unhappy while at the same time making the owner of the Somerset Patriots to say, “it’s is like a dream come true. It’s official: The New York Yankees are adding the Somerset Patriots and Hudson Valley Renegades while dropping the Trenton Thunder and Staten Island Yankees. He adds a lot of humor to the experience, throwing in different jokes, pop-culture references and one-liners. boy am I impressive... pic.twitter.com/KaaOWPI84V. A shopping mall? I know that’s a big sticking point for him. "This has taken us to a new level," said Marc Russinoff, Patriots vice president of communications and media relations. The Yankees are adding two nearby minor league baseball teams as affiliates in 2021, according to a report Friday from Baseball America. “Restructuring our minor league affiliations — especially with the additions of Somerset and Hudson Valley — gives us greater continuity to streamline and improve the development of our minor league system,” said Yankees Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman. New York Yankees Double-A Baseball, Affordable Family Fun, Central New Jersey Baseball, Minor League Baseball, Family Fun, Community Events Somerset Patriots Chairman Emeritus Steve Kalafer had this to say about the team becoming an affiliate of the Yankees, “This is a dream come true for everyone in the Somerset Patriots family. Manager Doc Edwards came out to argue, got ejected and decided to make a show out of it. Waldorf, Maryland – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (26-35, 65-66) swept Thursday’s doubleheader over the Somerset Patriots (28-32, 70-60) at Regency Furniture Stadium. "Sparkee's biggest failure is that, no how many times he does it, he just can’t win races around the bases against kids. All the things he's said and done just add to the entertainment value of being at a Somerset Patriots game. "With the Bridgewater train station behind the outfield wall, during the game you'll see trains go by. But from what I have seen from the Patriots organization, we are going to keep building into the future, and the best is yet to come.”, Bridgewater Township Mayor Matt Moench added: “the job that Steve and his family have done of building this organization into a true community organization is second to none. Interested in learning more about the Patriots as they prepare for their affiliated Minor League Baseball debut? 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