Albany Dutchmen

Albany Dutchmen. The Albany Dutchmen are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Albany, New York, competing in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL). Established in 2012, the team provides a platform for college athletes to develop their skills during the offseason. The Dutchmen have captured two PGCBL championships, in 2015 and 2018, establishing themselves as a competitive force in the league's East Division.

History

The franchise was founded in 2012 as an expansion member of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, joining alongside the Newark Pilots and the Adirondack Trail Blazers. The team's early years were marked by building a foundation, with their first winning season coming in 2014. A major breakthrough occurred in 2015 when, under the management of Nick Davey, the Dutchmen won their first league championship by defeating the Utica Blue Sox in the finals. This success was repeated in 2018 with another title victory. The organization has been instrumental in developing talent for NCAA Division I programs and has seen several alumni selected in the Major League Baseball draft.

Notable players

Numerous players have used their tenure with the Dutchmen as a springboard to professional careers. Infielder Will LaRue played for the team before being drafted by the Cleveland Guardians. Pitcher Joe DeSarro also honed his skills in Albany prior to his selection by the San Francisco Giants. Other notable alumni include Zach Remillard, who later reached Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox, and John Clayton, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels. The roster consistently features standouts from conferences like the Atlantic 10 Conference, America East Conference, and Northeast Conference.

Season-by-season results

The Dutchmen finished their inaugural 2012 campaign with a record below .500. They improved significantly in 2014, posting a winning record and securing a playoff berth. The championship season of 2015 saw the team dominate the East Division. After a competitive 2016 season, the team triumphed again in 2018, winning both the division and the league championship. The 2019 season resulted in another East Division title, though the team fell short in the postseason. Performance in subsequent seasons, including 2022 and 2023, has remained competitive within the league structure.

Home ballparks

The team has utilized several fields in the Capital District. They began play at Siena Field on the campus of Siena College in Loudonville, New York. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, the Dutchmen moved to Bellizzi Field at the College of Saint Rose in Albany. Since 2016, their primary home has been the renovated Bob Bellizzi Field at the same location. The franchise has also occasionally hosted games at Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam, New York, home of the Amsterdam Mohawks.

Rivalries

Geographic proximity and competitive history have fueled several league rivalries. Their most consistent and intense rivalry is with the Amsterdam Mohawks, a perennial power in the PGCBL, with matchups often having implications for the East Division standings. Games against the Glens Falls Dragons and the Saugerties Stallions also constitute significant divisional contests. Furthermore, postseason battles, such as those with the Utica Blue Sox and the Jamestown Jammers, have created memorable playoff enmities over the years.

Category:Baseball teams in New York (state) Category:Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League Category:Sports in Albany, New York Category:2012 establishments in New York (state)