ALBANY — As 518 Sports exclusively reported in February, the Albany Dutchmen will not return to downtown this season and will call Siena Field their home, the team confirmed in a release Wednesday.
The Dutchmen who compete in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) spent their last five seasons at the College of Saint Rose’s Bob Bellizzi Field inside Christian Plumeri Sports Complex. But that relationship soured, and the team was forced to move after the City of Albany and The College of Saint Rose notified them that their lease would not be renewed.
“We are excited to welcome the Albany Dutchmen to Siena Field,” said Siena College Vice President and Director of Athletics John D’Argenio in a statement.
A friendly face isn’t the only thing the Dutchmen are getting out of the move as they’ll be able to reap the benefits of Siena facilities which recently underwent a $500,000+ renovation project.
“We feel that the recent upgrades made have transformed our field into an outstanding Northeast college facility, and one in which the players will enjoy,”D’Argenio went on to say.” We look forward to hosting the future baseball stars of tomorrow as they showcase their talents in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere at the center of the Siena College campus.”
Although the partnership formerly marks the first time both parties have worked together, it’s hardly the first time that Siena and the Dutchmen have been put in the same sentence as the College’s players have donned Dutchmen uniforms in summers past.
“This partnership will only add to that bond,” said Dutchmen President and Partner Paul Samulski. “Not only is this a top-notch Division I baseball facility, but the entire campus setting is spectacular. Dutchmen players, as well as visiting teams from around the league, will soon recognize this as one of the best facilities in the PGCBL.”
The team is hoping that their move north will bring out and build a bigger fan base, incorporating communities like Loudonville, Latham, and Colonie.
“We truly hope that local residents, as well as our existing fan base, will come check us out this upcoming season in our new home stadium,” Samulski went on to say. “I think they’ll be pleased with what they see on the field as well as experiencing the overall game day atmosphere we create off the field.”
The Dutchmen will soon begin announcing player signings for the 2017 season, which runs from the beginning of June to the end of July, with playoffs scheduled for the first week in August.
-Dylan Rossiter – @ByDylanRossiter – [email protected]–
