Atlantic City Surf
Encyclopedia
The Atlantic City Surf were a professional baseball
team based in Atlantic City, New Jersey
. The Surf was most recently a member of the Can-Am League
, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball
. The Surf played its home games at Bernie Robbins Stadium
, formerly known as The Sandcastle.
From 1998 to 2006, the Surf played in the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
. While in the Atlantic League, the Surf won the first-ever Atlantic League championship in 1998 while also hosting the inaugural Atlantic League All-Star game.
On March 30, 2009, the Atlantic City Surf organization ceased operations, leaving the Can_am League with six teams. Players from the team were made available in an April 3, 2009 dispersal draft.
of the Tri-State League
in 1912. The franchise played one more season in Atlantic City in 1913 before disbanding.
moved to Atlantic City. Originally known as the Duval Giants of Jacksonville, Florida
, its name was changed to the Bacharach Giants in honor of the city's mayor, Harry Bacharach
. The team was independent from 1916 to 1922, then became a member of the Eastern Colored League
from 1923 until the league's folding during the 1928 season, winning the league in 1926 and 1927 under the leadership of Dick Lundy
. Other notable players for the Giants included Oliver Marcelle
, Smokey Joe Williams, "Pop" Lloyd
, and Arthur "Rats" Henderson. The team became affiliated with the American Negro League
in 1929, and continued in the Negro National League
in 1932, when it folded as a professional team.
placed a team in Atlantic City called the Surf. Opening their new ballpark called The Sandcastle on May 20, the Surf was defeated by the Somerset Patriots
by a score of 8 to 5. Playing host to the first Atlantic League All-Star game on July 15, the Surf defeated the League All-Stars 6 to 4 and would later win the league's first Championship Series over the Bridgeport Bluefish
, three games to one. The Surf made it to the post-season four times in five years (2002 and 2004–06) but were eliminated in the first round each time.
In 2007, the Surf moved play from the Atlantic League to the Can-Am League. In 2007 the Surf made the playoffs in their inaugural season in the Can-Am. The team managed by Chris Carminucci finished with the 2nd best overall record of 51-41. In the playoffs lost to the North Shore Spirit
3 games to 1 in the opening round. The Surf received many awards in 2007. Carminucci received manager of the year. Starting pitcher Brian Rodaway received Pitcher of the Year Award after finishing a league-best 15-3. Relief pitcher Matt Pike received the Reliever of the Year award for his league leading 24 saves. In 2008 the Surf hired Cecil Fielder
as the team manager. The Surf continued their success finishing 51-43 (4th overall record) and once again in the playoffs, this time losing to the Quebec Capitales
3 games to 1 in the opening round.
On March 30, 2009, the Can-Am League announced that the Surf would not be operating for the 2009 season because of the collapse of the proposed sale of the team and the lack of ownership to continue for the 2009 season. The Surf joined fellow league member Ottawa Voyageurs
in ceasing operations for the 2009 season.
Can-Am League Post-Season Results:
colors: White with navy pinstripes for home games and navy for away games. The home jersey has an interlocking "AC" centered on the left and number on the back. The away jersey has the wordmark "Surf" in teal with white and purple outline. Navy blue hats with the interlocking letters "AC" in white with teal outline.
Mascot
: "Splash".
Radio broadcasts: Play-by-Play announcer: Matt Martucci, broadcast by WLFR
.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
team based in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
. The Surf was most recently a member of the Can-Am League
Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball
The Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, based in Durham, North Carolina, is a professional, independent baseball league located in the Northeastern United States and the Canadian province of Quebec. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is...
, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The Surf played its home games at Bernie Robbins Stadium
Bernie Robbins Stadium
Bernie Robbins Stadium is a 5,500-seat baseball-only stadium in Atlantic City, New Jersey that opened in 1998. It was built as the home of the Atlantic City Surf baseball team, which discontinued operations prior to the 2009 season. College teams have also used the stadium...
, formerly known as The Sandcastle.
From 1998 to 2006, the Surf played in the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
. While in the Atlantic League, the Surf won the first-ever Atlantic League championship in 1998 while also hosting the inaugural Atlantic League All-Star game.
On March 30, 2009, the Atlantic City Surf organization ceased operations, leaving the Can_am League with six teams. Players from the team were made available in an April 3, 2009 dispersal draft.
Earlier Atlantic City Baseball Teams
Atlantic City historically has never enjoyed much success as a venue for professional sports teams and baseball has been no exception. The city hosted a few short-lived, unnamed teams in various leagues in the 19th century, then provided a home for the defunct Lancaster Red RosesLancaster Red Roses
The Lancaster Red Roses baseball team, originally known as the Maroons, changed its name at the start of the 1906 season during a bitter match with the York, Pennsylvania-based White Roses. Some sources indicate that the rival teams were named for the opposing factions in England's historic Wars of...
of the Tri-State League
Tri-State League
The Tri-State League was the name of five different circuits in American minor league baseball.-History:The first league of that name played for four years and consisted of teams in Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia....
in 1912. The franchise played one more season in Atlantic City in 1913 before disbanding.
Bacharach Giants
In 1916, the Bacharach GiantsBacharach Giants
The Bacharach Giants were a Negro league baseball team that played in Atlantic City, New Jersey.- Founding :The club was founded when two African-American politicians moved the Duval Giants of Jacksonville, Florida, to Atlantic City in 1916 and renamed them after Harry Bacharach, the city's mayor...
moved to Atlantic City. Originally known as the Duval Giants of Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
, its name was changed to the Bacharach Giants in honor of the city's mayor, Harry Bacharach
Harry Bacharach
Harry Bacharach was the five time Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1912 for 6 months, and from 1916 to 1920, and again from 1930 to 1935. He also served as a city commissioner for Atlantic City, New Jersey.-Biography:...
. The team was independent from 1916 to 1922, then became a member of the Eastern Colored League
Eastern Colored League
The Mutual Association of Eastern Colored Clubs, more commonly known as the Eastern Colored League , was one of the several Negro leagues, which operated during the time organized baseball was segregated.- History :...
from 1923 until the league's folding during the 1928 season, winning the league in 1926 and 1927 under the leadership of Dick Lundy
Dick Lundy (baseball player)
Richard Benjamin Lundy was an African American shortstop in the Negro Leagues for numerous teams. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida....
. Other notable players for the Giants included Oliver Marcelle
Oliver Marcelle
Oliver Hazzard Marcelle , nicknamed "Ghost", was an American third baseman in the Negro Leagues for a number of teams around the league from 1918-1931. He also played shortstop. A Creole born in Thibodaux, Louisiana, he batted and threw right-handed.While the Negro Leagues had many statistics...
, Smokey Joe Williams, "Pop" Lloyd
John Henry Lloyd
John Henry "Pop" Lloyd was an American baseball player and manager in the Negro leagues. He is generally considered the greatest shortstop in Negro league history, and both Babe Ruth and Ted Harlow, a noted sportswriter, reportedly believed Lloyd to be the greatest baseball player ever.He was a...
, and Arthur "Rats" Henderson. The team became affiliated with the American Negro League
American Negro League
The American Negro League was one of several Negro leagues which were established during the period in the United States in which organized baseball was segregated...
in 1929, and continued in the Negro National League
Negro National League
Negro National League can refer to either one or both of these two leagues of major league baseball in the USA in the first half of the twentieth century:* Negro National League * Negro National League...
in 1932, when it folded as a professional team.
Atlantic City Surf
In 1998, the independent Atlantic League of Professional BaseballAtlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
placed a team in Atlantic City called the Surf. Opening their new ballpark called The Sandcastle on May 20, the Surf was defeated by the Somerset Patriots
Somerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots are an American professional baseball team based in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
by a score of 8 to 5. Playing host to the first Atlantic League All-Star game on July 15, the Surf defeated the League All-Stars 6 to 4 and would later win the league's first Championship Series over the Bridgeport Bluefish
Bridgeport Bluefish
The Bridgeport Bluefish is an American professional baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, three games to one. The Surf made it to the post-season four times in five years (2002 and 2004–06) but were eliminated in the first round each time.
In 2007, the Surf moved play from the Atlantic League to the Can-Am League. In 2007 the Surf made the playoffs in their inaugural season in the Can-Am. The team managed by Chris Carminucci finished with the 2nd best overall record of 51-41. In the playoffs lost to the North Shore Spirit
North Shore Spirit
The North Shore Spirit was a minor-league baseball team based in Lynn, Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007. The Spirit played in the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball , an independent league that is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or with the Minor League Baseball...
3 games to 1 in the opening round. The Surf received many awards in 2007. Carminucci received manager of the year. Starting pitcher Brian Rodaway received Pitcher of the Year Award after finishing a league-best 15-3. Relief pitcher Matt Pike received the Reliever of the Year award for his league leading 24 saves. In 2008 the Surf hired Cecil Fielder
Cecil Fielder
Cecil Grant Fielder is a former professional baseball player who was a noted power hitter in the 1980s and 1990s. He attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . He played with the Toronto Blue Jays , Detroit Tigers , New York Yankees , Anaheim Angels and Cleveland Indians...
as the team manager. The Surf continued their success finishing 51-43 (4th overall record) and once again in the playoffs, this time losing to the Quebec Capitales
Quebec Capitales
The Québec Capitales are a professional baseball team based in Quebec City, in Canada. The Capitales are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
3 games to 1 in the opening round.
On March 30, 2009, the Can-Am League announced that the Surf would not be operating for the 2009 season because of the collapse of the proposed sale of the team and the lack of ownership to continue for the 2009 season. The Surf joined fellow league member Ottawa Voyageurs
Ottawa Voyageurs
The Ottawa Voyageurs, previously the Ottawa Rapidz, were a professional baseball team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada under the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball or Can-Am League....
in ceasing operations for the 2009 season.
Post Season
Atlantic League Post-Season Results:- 1998: Defeated Bridgeport BluefishBridgeport BluefishThe Bridgeport Bluefish is an American professional baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, 3 games to 1, for League Championship - 2002: Lost to Newark BearsNewark BearsThe Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
, 2 games to 1, in opening round - 2004: Lost to Camden RiversharksCamden RiversharksThe Camden Riversharks is an American professional baseball team based in Camden, New Jersey. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, 2 games to 0, in opening round - 2005: Lost to Somerset PatriotsSomerset PatriotsThe Somerset Patriots are an American professional baseball team based in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, 2 games to 1, in opening round - 2006: Lost to Lancaster BarnstormersLancaster BarnstormersThe Lancaster Barnstormers is an American professional baseball team based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, 2 games to 0, in opening round
Can-Am League Post-Season Results:
- 2007: Lost to North Shore SpiritNorth Shore SpiritThe North Shore Spirit was a minor-league baseball team based in Lynn, Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007. The Spirit played in the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball , an independent league that is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or with the Minor League Baseball...
, 3 games to 1, in opening round - 2008: Lost to Quebec CapitalesQuebec CapitalesThe Québec Capitales are a professional baseball team based in Quebec City, in Canada. The Capitales are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, 3 games to 1, in opening round
Team Information
UniformUniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
colors: White with navy pinstripes for home games and navy for away games. The home jersey has an interlocking "AC" centered on the left and number on the back. The away jersey has the wordmark "Surf" in teal with white and purple outline. Navy blue hats with the interlocking letters "AC" in white with teal outline.
Mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
: "Splash".
Radio broadcasts: Play-by-Play announcer: Matt Martucci, broadcast by WLFR
WLFR
WLFR is a college radio station broadcasting a Variety format. Licensed to Pomona, New Jersey, USA, the station serves the Atlantic City area. The station is currently owned by Richard Stockton College of New Jersey....
.