Empire League Adds Rhinos to Lineup

PRESS RELEASE – The Empire League is set to officially welcome its first ever expansion organization. The League is currently finalizing the operating agreement that would allow for the newly formed and privately owned organization “The Georgia Rhinos” to participate in official league play beginning June of 2020 .

On the Heels of Controversy, Fans Overwhelmingly Pick ‘River Pigs’

A decision that has taken this village through the ringer is closed.  After a vote by the public on Saturday, Empire League (Independent Professional) President Eddie Gonzalez confirmed what almost 73% of the voters wanted — for River Pigs to be the new name of the Tupper Lake (NY) baseball team.  Read more here.  Read about controversy here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

High School Wresting ‘Rumble at The Ballpark’ Returns to OOB

High school and college wrestlers will head to The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach, home of the Old Orchard Beach Surge (Independent Professional, Empire League), this summer as the Rumble at The Ballpark is returning to the historic venue for the second straight year.  Read more here.  Sign up here.

Empire League Announces Team Locations for 2018 Season

The Empire League (Independent Professional) has announced the locations for its six franchises –  the Wild, Bucks, Explorers, RedBirds, Surge, and traveling Islanders — for the upcoming 2018 season.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Surge to Return to The Ballpark in OOB in 2018

The Old Orchard Beach Surge (Independent Professional, Empire League) will be back at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach (ME) for another season. The Town Council voted unanimously to approve a 2018 contract with the franchise.  Read more  here.

Empire League to Expand

Empire League (Independent Professional) ownership group confirms expansion from four to six teams in 2018 after meeting several groups of parties interested in franchising.  League president Eddie Gonzalez spent the last part of the 2017 season visiting with potential franchisees in Quebec, New York, Georgia, and New Jersey. Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

MLB All Star Matt Joyce Becomes Owner in Empire League

PRESS RELEASE – MLB Star Matt Joyce who has been a mentor, and supporting ambassador of the Empire Professional Baseball League has decided to join ownership group. After seeing how special and rewarding it is to actually give back to the great game we love, Matt Joyce decided he wants in. Understanding that Rookie to A level independent professional baseball leagues do NOT make money, Mr Joyce simply wants to add to the great service that CEO Eddie Gonzalez provides.

Operations Manager Looks to Keep Once-Neglected Ballpark Busy

Guy Fontaine, operations manager of The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach (ME), home of the Old Orchard Beach Surge (Independent Professional, Empire League), sees a lot of potential when he looks at the facility. Read more here.

Start-Up Empire League Trying to Lock Down Watertown

The Watertown (NY) city parks and recreation superintendent has recommended that the city reach a deal with the new Empire League to revive the Watertown Bucks for the 2016 season, but city council members said Monday night they should wait and look into the new league’s stability.  Read more here and  here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

North Country League Becomes Empire League, Director of Business Administration Announced

The defunct, one-and-done North Country Baseball League, which emerged from Colin Cummins’ failed effort to launch the East Coast Baseball League, has become The Empire Professional Baseball League.  Eddie Gonzalez, Director of Baseball Operations, had this to say in an e-mail: