Catskill Cougars
Encyclopedia
The Catskill Cougars were a minor-league baseball team based in the Mountaindale, New York; in Sullivan County's Catskill Mountains. The Cougars played in the North Atlantic League
in 1996 and the Northeast League n/k/a the Can-Am League, from 1997-1998 and 2000. The North Atlantic and Northeast leagues were independent leagues that were not affiliated with Major League Baseball
or Minor League Baseball
. The Cougars played their home games at Baxter Field
.
and were one of the six original teams of the League. The team ceased operations after the season and a new ownership group would place them in the 1 year old North Atlantic League. In their first season the Cougars put forth a strong effort and finished 35-35, earning themselves a spot in the league championship series. The would win the title over the Massachusetts Mad Dogs 2 games to none.
The team also did well in terms of attendance averaging 1,075 fans per game, which ranked 3rd in the 6 team league. Also, the Cougars would hire former major leaguers Wally Backman
and Gates Brown
as its managers. Although the team did enjoy good attendance numbers and had success on the field, the North Atlantic League would file for bankruptcy and fold after the 1996 season.
, Kerwin Moore
, and Matt Murray
.
In 1998 the Cougars started to show signs of improvement on the field. They would finish with a record of 36-47, which was 6th in the 8 team league. The team was led by former Houston Astros
player Juan Guerrero. The Cougars would also improve their box-office numbers, averaging about 1,000 fans per game. However, the improvements were simply not enough. Other teams in the league such as Allentown
, Albany
and New Jersey
were averaging about 2,300 fans per game, thus breaking the 100,000 fan mark for the season. The team would suspend operations after the 1998 season.
The Quebec Capitales
would take over Catskill's spot in the league for the 1999 season, and the Northeast League would merge with the highly successful Northern League to form the Northern League-East. It looked like baseball in Sullivan County had come to an end. However, prior to the start of the 2000 season the Massachusetts Mad Dogs ran into financial trouble and folded. The league quickly needed to fill a slot to compete with 8 teams and The Cougars quickly stepped up. Under new owner Van Schley, Baxter Field received a $150,000 facelift. However, the Cougars did not compile a very solid record at 38-47, which was only good for 7th place in the league. Also, the break in play caused the team to lose a significant amount of fans. Only about 645 fans, on average watched Cougar games, which was dead least in terms of league attendance. Schley estimated losses on the season at about $500,000.
Following the 2000 season the only way the team stated that it would survive to compete in the 2001 season was to sell 250 season tickets prior to opening day. The team was unable to achieve this goal and the Cougars, along with the Waterbury Spirit, ceased operations. The team would never re-start operations and Baxter Field was eventually sold and torn-down.
North Atlantic League
The North Atlantic League was the name of two minor baseball leagues. The first was a Class D affiliated system that operated from 1946 until 1950, and the second was an independent minor league that played from 1995 until 1996...
in 1996 and the Northeast League n/k/a the Can-Am League, from 1997-1998 and 2000. The North Atlantic and Northeast leagues were independent leagues that were 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...
or Minor League Baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
. The Cougars played their home games at Baxter Field
Baxter Field
Baxter International Baseball Field or the Albert Park International Baseball Stadium is home to the Far North Coast Baseball Association, part of Baseball Queensland, in Lismore, New South Wales. It is a fully fenced and regulation size field with field level fenced dugouts, bullpens, 2 battery...
.
History-North Atlantic League
The team played the 1995 season in the Northeast League as the Sullivan Mountain LionsSullivan Mountain Lions
The Sullivan Mountain Lions were a minor-league baseball team based in Sullivan, New York. The Mountain Lions played in the inaugural season of the Northeast League n/k/a the Can-Am League, an independent league that is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
and were one of the six original teams of the League. The team ceased operations after the season and a new ownership group would place them in the 1 year old North Atlantic League. In their first season the Cougars put forth a strong effort and finished 35-35, earning themselves a spot in the league championship series. The would win the title over the Massachusetts Mad Dogs 2 games to none.
The team also did well in terms of attendance averaging 1,075 fans per game, which ranked 3rd in the 6 team league. Also, the Cougars would hire former major leaguers Wally Backman
Wally Backman
Walter Wayne Backman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. He is best known for his time with the New York Mets from - and was a member of their 1986 World Series-winning team...
and Gates Brown
Gates Brown
William James "Gates" Brown is a former Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers...
as its managers. Although the team did enjoy good attendance numbers and had success on the field, the North Atlantic League would file for bankruptcy and fold after the 1996 season.
History-Northeast/Northern League
By 1997 the Northeast League had strengthened its previous status and was now an 8-team league. The Cougars were quick to re-enter the league. However, they would not enjoy the same on-field success of the previous year in the NAL. They would finish the season with a league-worst record of 21-62 and were last in the league in almost all offensive, pitching and defensive categories. They would still draw about 925 fans per game, despite the heavy losses. The team would feature former MLB players Vance LovelaceVance Lovelace
Vance Odell Lovelace is the Director of pro scouting, special adviser to the general manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers....
, Kerwin Moore
Kerwin Moore
Kerwin Lamar Moore is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played for the Oakland Athletics in 1996.-External links:...
, and Matt Murray
Matt Murray
Matthew William "Matt" Murray is an English former football goalkeeper who spent his entire career at Wolverhampton Wanderers. His career was plagued by injuries which eventually forced him to retire aged 29.-Career:...
.
In 1998 the Cougars started to show signs of improvement on the field. They would finish with a record of 36-47, which was 6th in the 8 team league. The team was led by former Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The 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...
player Juan Guerrero. The Cougars would also improve their box-office numbers, averaging about 1,000 fans per game. However, the improvements were simply not enough. Other teams in the league such as Allentown
Allentown Ambassadors
The Allentown Ambassadors were an independent baseball team that competed in the Northeast League and the Northern League from 1997 until 2003. They played their home games at Allentown, Pennsylvania's Bicentennial Park.- History :...
, Albany
Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs
The Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs were a minor league baseball team based in Albany, New York from 1995 to 2002. The team played at Heritage Park in Colonie. The Diamond Dogs competed in the Northeast League from 1995-98 and then in the Northern League when the two leagues merged prior to the 1999...
and New Jersey
New Jersey Jackals
The New Jersey Jackals are a professional baseball team based in Little Falls, New Jersey, in the United States. The Jackals are a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
were averaging about 2,300 fans per game, thus breaking the 100,000 fan mark for the season. The team would suspend operations after the 1998 season.
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...
would take over Catskill's spot in the league for the 1999 season, and the Northeast League would merge with the highly successful Northern League to form the Northern League-East. It looked like baseball in Sullivan County had come to an end. However, prior to the start of the 2000 season the Massachusetts Mad Dogs ran into financial trouble and folded. The league quickly needed to fill a slot to compete with 8 teams and The Cougars quickly stepped up. Under new owner Van Schley, Baxter Field received a $150,000 facelift. However, the Cougars did not compile a very solid record at 38-47, which was only good for 7th place in the league. Also, the break in play caused the team to lose a significant amount of fans. Only about 645 fans, on average watched Cougar games, which was dead least in terms of league attendance. Schley estimated losses on the season at about $500,000.
Following the 2000 season the only way the team stated that it would survive to compete in the 2001 season was to sell 250 season tickets prior to opening day. The team was unable to achieve this goal and the Cougars, along with the Waterbury Spirit, ceased operations. The team would never re-start operations and Baxter Field was eventually sold and torn-down.