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Somerset Patriots Celebrate The Past, Present, And Look To The Future

10/24/2019 2:25 PM
Somerset, NJ – The Somerset Patriots hosted a special event on Thursday, October 24th entitled Somerset Patriots: Next 20 to bring together community leaders, team partners and long-time fans to celebrate the team’s past, present, and future.
 
Over 150 guests were in attendance at the Palace at Somerset Park for a program that featured a distinguished panel celebrating where the team has been, what the team is doing, and where the team is going. Somerset Patriots Chairman Emeritus Steve Kalafer, along with Co-Chairmen Jonathan and Josh Kalafer, were joined on stage by baseball Hall of Famer and MLB’s Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre, Somerset’s President/General Manager Patrick McVerry, Manager Emeritus and baseball great Sparky Lyle, President of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Rick White, Somerset County Freeholder Director Brian Levine, and Bridgewater Township Council Vice President Howard Norgalis.
 
The three-segment panel began with how the public-private partnership with Somerset County, Bridgewater Township, the Kalafer family, and the Somerset Patriots was formed to bring baseball and a beautiful taxpayer neutral ballpark to the community. 
 
 

TD Bank Ballpark officially opened its gates, originally as Somerset Ballpark, on June 7, 1999 for the first ever Somerset Patriots game. Since that time, the team has consistently ranked among the top drawing minor league franchises in the country. 

 
Lyle spoke of coming home after playing all 100 games in 1998 on the road. 
 

Somerset County elected officials from all townships and boroughs were invited to be the guests of the team at the gathering. Freeholder Levine and Council Vice President Norgalis represented Somerset County and the Township or Bridgewater respectively.

Norgalis added,
 
 

The focus then shifted to the 2019 season and the excitement surrounding a team 20-plus years in and continuing to grow. While most franchises seem to struggle years into their existence, the Somerset Patriots led the Atlantic League in attendance for the third straight season.

 

The topics featured the partnership between the Atlantic League and Major League Baseball and the unprecedented amount of exposure the Somerset Patriots received throughout the season. In February of this year, the Atlantic League entered into a three-year agreement with MLB to test new rules and equipment that can ultimately impact the future of the game. The Somerset Patriots have played a leadership role in the groundbreaking agreement.

 

In addition to the MLB partnership bringing the team to new heights, the Somerset Patriots also received international stardom in the form of a viral video seen by tens of millions around the world.

 

The final section spoke about the importance to reinvest in the ballpark, the team, and the community to help sustain growth and long-term success for the next 20 years. The team showcased renderings of some of the ideas being discussed for improvements at the “Jewel of the Atlantic League.” 

 
Images of the ballpark with a Ferris Wheel in front and redesigns of the picnic patio, Fun Zone, and Handle Bar were shown during the event as possible improvements to the facility over the next few years.
 
A common theme throughout the program was the importance of partnerships and everyone working together to achieve these goals.
 
 
 

One of the constants for the Somerset Patriots has been the unbelievable support of the community. Since opening day, fans have turned out, over 7,000,000 strong, to show their love and support for the team and to enjoy a night out with those special to them. The team and Kalafer family do not take that two-decade support lightly.

 
 

 

 
 

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