Bethesda Big Train
Encyclopedia
The Bethesda Big Train are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Bethesda, Maryland
. Most of its players are drawn from the college ranks. The team is a member of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League (CRCBL). The Big Train plays its home games at Shirley Povich Field
. The Big Train is owned and operated by the non-profit The Bethesda Community Base Ball Club, Inc., and is funded through merchandise sales, donations, and other fundraising efforts at games. As of March 2008, 34 Big Train Alumni have played professional baseball.
The Big Train commenced play in 1999 as part of the Clark Griffith League (CGL). In 2004, they won the CGL championship.
In 2005 the Big Train joined the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League (CRCBL). That first year, the team won the league championship and shared the post-season tournament championship with the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts
. In 2006 the Big Train were the regular season champions. In 2009, the Big Train won both the regular and postseason championships. In 2010, the Big Train captured their 2nd straight CRCBL Championship after placing 3rd in the regular season, and in 2011 rolled to their 3rd consecutive league championship with a 36-9 overall record, ranking as the #1 summer collegiate baseball league team in the nation (PG Crosschecker).
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
. Most of its players are drawn from the college ranks. The team is a member of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League (CRCBL). The Big Train plays its home games at Shirley Povich Field
Shirley Povich Field
Shirley Povich Field is a baseball stadium in Rockville, Maryland. It is the home field of the Georgetown University Hoyas college baseball team of the Division I Big East Conference. It is also the home field of the Bethesda Big Train of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League, a...
. The Big Train is owned and operated by the non-profit The Bethesda Community Base Ball Club, Inc., and is funded through merchandise sales, donations, and other fundraising efforts at games. As of March 2008, 34 Big Train Alumni have played professional baseball.
History
The Bethesda Community Baseball Club, Inc. was founded in 1998 "to raise funds to improve the quality of youth baseball and softball fields in Montgomery County and the District of Columbia." Proceeds from the operations of the Bethesda Big Train are used to further this mission. As of March 2008 the Club reports they have raised $300,000 in support of this mission.The Big Train commenced play in 1999 as part of the Clark Griffith League (CGL). In 2004, they won the CGL championship.
In 2005 the Big Train joined the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League (CRCBL). That first year, the team won the league championship and shared the post-season tournament championship with the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts
Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts
The Silver Spring–Takoma Thunderbolts is a collegiate summer baseball team based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Most of its players are drawn from the college ranks. The team is a member of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League . The Thunderbolts play their home games at Montgomery Blair Baseball...
. In 2006 the Big Train were the regular season champions. In 2009, the Big Train won both the regular and postseason championships. In 2010, the Big Train captured their 2nd straight CRCBL Championship after placing 3rd in the regular season, and in 2011 rolled to their 3rd consecutive league championship with a 36-9 overall record, ranking as the #1 summer collegiate baseball league team in the nation (PG Crosschecker).
Notable alumni
- Michael McKenryMichael McKenryMichael Charles McKenry is an American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.-Career:...
, 2004 Big Train, currently with the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions... - John MaineJohn MaineJohn Kevin Maine is an American professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets. He bats and throws right-handed.-Early life and college:Maine was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia...
, 2000 Big Train, currently with the Colorado RockiesColorado RockiesThe Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains... - Bobby LivingstonBobby LivingstonRobert James "Bobby" Livingston is a baseball player who currently plays for Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican League.-Amateur career :...
, 2001 Big Train, currently with the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League... - Dirk HayhurstDirk HayhurstDirk Von Hayhurst is a Major League Baseball pitcher.-Early life:Hayhurst played college baseball for four seasons from – for Kent State University and played with the Bethesda Big Train in .-San Diego Padres:...
, 2001 Big Train, currently with the Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay RaysThe Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field... - Steve SchmollSteve SchmollStephen John Schmoll is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He bats and throws right-handed....
, 2000 Big Train, major league debut with the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming... - Charlton JimersonCharlton JimersonCharlton Maxwell Jimerson is a guest co-host for Life Beyond The League. He played college baseball at the University of Miami.-Early life:...
, 1999 Big Train, major league debut with the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field... - Carlos Gutierrez , 27th overall draft pick in 2008 draft
- Chris Mobley , 2002 Big Train, 2005 SAL All Star
- Evan Frederickson, 1st round draft pick