The Niagara Falls Americans is a collegiate summer baseball franchise which competes in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, a league designed to give college-eligible players an opportunity to compete while furthering their development and being scouted for professional consideration. Their home games are played at Sal Maglie Stadium in Niagara Falls, New York.
| Niagara Falls Americans | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| League | PGCBL (2021–present) (West Division) |
| Location | Niagara Falls, New York |
| Ballpark | Sal Maglie Stadium |
| Founded | 2007 |
| League championships | (NYCBL): 2019 (PGCBL): None |
| Division championships | (NYCBL): 2012, 2019 (PGCBL): None |
| Former name(s) | Niagara Power (2007–2015, 2018–2023) |
| Former league(s) | NYCBL (2007–2015, 2018–2020) |
| Ownership | CAN-USA Sports (Robbie Nichols, Nellie Nichols, Matt Witt) (2024–present) John DiCarlo (2022–2023) Niagara University (2018–2022) Cal Kern (2007–2015) |
| Manager | Mike Gabriele |
History
editThe Niagara Power was established in 2007 by its first president and owner, Cal Kern, who operated the team in affiliation with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The Power, upon its inception, entered and competed in the New York Collegiate Baseball League. The team remained in the league until the conclusion of the 2015 season, after which Kern ceased operations.
The team was restored in 2018 under new ownership, the College of Hospitality, Sport & Tourism Management at Niagara University.[1] Under the direction of Dr. Patrick Tutka, who assumed the role of team president, Niagara University ran the team with a model by which students handled almost all facets of game-day operations. The Power returned to the NYCBL in 2018, winning the league's championship in the 2019 season.
After the COVID pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 baseball season, the Power returned in 2021 but had switched leagues, leaving the NYCBL to join the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.
Following the 2021 season, Dr. Tutka stepped down from the team. Niagara University continued to operate the team in 2022 under the direction of the College of Hospitality, Sport & Tourism Management's dean, Bridget Niland. Upon the conclusion of the 2022 season, local businessman John DiCarlo assumed ownership of the Power.[2][3]
On December 15, 2023, the City of Niagara Falls and CAN-USA owner Robbie Nichols announced that the latter would assume ownership of the PGCBL's Niagara Falls franchise, rebranding the team as the Niagara Falls Americans.[4][5]
Season-by-season record
edit| Season | W-L | Playoffs? | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 22-19-2 | No | Missed qualification for playoffs on final day of regular season |
| 2022 | 16-28 | No | n/a |
| 2021 | 19-26 | No | First season in Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League |
| 2020 | -- | -- | Season canceled due to COVID-19 |
| 2019 | 30-11 | Yes (4-1) | Def. Mansfield 2–1 in Western Division Finals Def. Cortland 2–0 in the NYCBL Championship Series First NYCBL Championship |
| 2018 | 23-19 | Yes (0-1) | Lost to Olean 1–0 in Western Division first round |
| 2017 | -- | -- | No Team Fielded |
| 2016 | -- | -- | No Team Fielded |
| 2015 | 25–21 | Yes (3–3) | Def. Hornell 2–1 in the Western Division Semifinals Lost to Olean 2–1 in Western Division Finals |
| 2014 | 22–24 | Yes (1-2) | Lost to Hornell 2–1 in the Western Division Semifinals |
| 2013 | 13–27 | No | n/a |
| 2012 | 24–17 | Yes (4–2) | Def. Olean 2–0 in the Western Division Semifinals Def. Geneva Twins 2–0 in the Western Division Finals Lost to Syracuse Junior Chiefs 2–0 in the NYCBL Championship Series |
| 2011 | 24–20 | Yes (0–1) | Lost to Geneva in the Western Division Semifinals (single-game) |
| 2010 | 18–26 | No | n/a |
| 2009 | 11–29 | No | n/a |
| 2008 | 14–26 | No | n/a |
| 2007 | 17–25 | No | n/a |
| TOTAL | 238–269 | 12–10 | 250-279 |
References
edit- ^ Yarger, David (October 2, 2017). "Play ball: Niagara University bringing baseball back to Niagara Falls". Niagara Wheatfield Tribune. Niagara Frontier Publications.
- ^ "Contact Us". Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ Petro, Mike (January 5, 2023). "A scary, familiar feeling". The Buffalo News. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ Petro, Mike (December 16, 2023). "Niagara Falls baseball gets boost with new ownership group running Sal Maglie Stadium". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
The team has been rebranded as the Americans
- ^ Bradley, Patrick J. (December 22, 2023). "New baseball plans taking shape in Niagara Falls". WNYPapers.com. Niagara Frontier Publications. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
The team will be renamed the Niagara Falls Americans.