Rain Cuts Short 2015 NECBL All-Star Game
SANFORD, Maine – While the main event might not have gone on as planned, the Sanford Mainers still managed to battle the elements and host an incredibly successful 2015 New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) All-Star Game Skills Competition, while the nearly 60 student-athletes in attendance still had the opportunity to display their talents in front of scouts from every Major League Baseball League (MLB) organization.
During the afternoon, fans who arrived early to historic Goodall Park – which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year – were greeted to the scenes of another fun and captivating Skills Competition. The 60-Yard Dash led off the day, which was eventually won by hometown Sanford outfielder Trae Sweeting (Georgia State). Later in the afternoon, the league’s top sluggers battled against Goodall Park’s outfield dimensions, and Ocean State infielder Tim Lynch (Southern Miss.) would eventually be crowned the 2015 NECBL Home Run Derby Champion.
With rain and thunderstorms in the forecast, both All-Star teams still had the opportunity to take full batting practice and infield-outfield drills in front of an array of professional scouts, including more than 30 from the MLB ranks. And while the rough weather eventually did spoil the evening’s Midsummer Classic, fans still had the opportunity to see some of the nation’s top up-and-coming stars prepare for the game that Mother Nature didn’t allow to be played.
While every effort was taken to play the game – including a two-plus-hour delay – frequent lightning and sporadic storms led to the decision to cancel the game itself out of respect to fan and player safety. Pitchers, however, still had the opportunity to toss a bullpen session in front of the scouts in attendance, and all did so.
The NECBL extends its gratitude, to which there is no limit, to the Sanford Mainers, the Sanford community and its vast and far-reaching fan base, many of whom traveled far and wide to take in yesterday’s activities. As a token of our thanks, ALL tickets purchased may be redeemed at any league venue for admittance to ANY NECBL game throughout the remainder of the 2015 regular season AND the 2015 NECBL Playoffs. Please note that each ticket will admit ONE attendee and original tickets from Sunday's All-Star Game are required for entry.
The NECBL again thanks the Sanford Mainers organization for their hospitability and preparations into making the 2015 NECBL All-Star Game as successful as any previous installment, despite the weather, and tips its hat to its great fans for battling the elements Sunday afternoon and evening.
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The New England Collegiate Baseball League is a wooden bat college summer league that fields teams in all six New England states. Partially funded by Major League Baseball, the NECBL started play in 1994 and has sent over 100 alumni to the Major Leagues. For continuing coverage of the NECBL, visit NECBL.com and follow the league on Twitter and on Facebook.
