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65-598: The Spirit were owned by Nicholas Lopardo throughout their five-year history in Lynn. The Waterbury Spirit began play in 1997 in the Northeast League . During the team's four-year stint in Connecticut, they made the playoffs three times, losing in the first round all three times. The team folded following the 2000 season. Originally, the team was to be known as the "Waterbury Wizards" but a potential lawsuit with

130-565: A ceremony honoring legendary North Shore baseball player Tony Conigliaro and retiring his number 25. In 2004 the Spirit played host to 120,000 fans, breaking the record they had set the year before, and ranking 3rd in league attendance behind the Brockton Rox and Quebec Capitales . They once again won the first-half North Division Championship, in record fashion, shattering the league record for first half winning percentage with 35 wins in

195-696: A fifth season at Fraser Field, set to begin on May 25, 2007. In September, 2007, after the 2007 Can-Am playoffs, Nick Lopardo announced that he would cease operations. Their final game was a 6-4 home loss against the Nashua Pride in the third game of the Can-Am League Championship Series. The Spirit were swept 3-0. The attendance in the final game was 803. Spirit games were broadcast on WESX and WWZN 1510-AM by veteran play-by-play announcer John Leahy. North Shore's team colors were Red, White and Blue. Their mascot, Slugger,

260-424: A good season, finishing with the 2nd best record in the league behind Quebec and drawing over 100,000 fans to Fraser Field for the second consecutive season. On September 3, 2005, the last home game of the season, owner Nick Lopardo responded to rumors of the franchise's demise with an emphatic assurance that the Spirit would be back for their fourth season at Fraser Field. Can-Am League and North Shore Spirit history

325-730: A new member from the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball , as the Nashua Pride joined as the eighth team. Another Atlantic League team defected to the Can-Am League for 2007 as the Atlantic City Surf joined. To even out the teams, The Grays were relaunched to serve as the traveling team. After the 2007 season, the New Haven County Cutters and North Shore Spirit ceased operations. For 2008, Ottawa , which had lost its franchise in

390-459: A new member from the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball , as the Nashua Pride joined as the eighth team. Another Atlantic League team defected to the Can-Am League for 2007 as the Atlantic City Surf joined. To even out the teams, The Grays were relaunched to serve as the traveling team. After the 2007 season, the New Haven County Cutters and North Shore Spirit ceased operations. For 2008, Ottawa , which had lost its franchise in

455-404: A tie. Beginning in 2006, the league abandoned divisional play. The first half-season leader automatically qualified for the playoffs, as did the second half-season leader if there was a second. To round the field out at four, two or more wild-card spots were given to teams with the best overall season record. The four qualifiers for the playoffs would meet in two separate best of five series with

520-404: A tie. Beginning in 2006, the league abandoned divisional play. The first half-season leader automatically qualified for the playoffs, as did the second half-season leader if there was a second. To round the field out at four, two or more wild-card spots were given to teams with the best overall season record. The four qualifiers for the playoffs would meet in two separate best of five series with

585-647: A traveling team would join the Ottawa Champions and the Sussex County Miners to create a balanced schedule, and continued to include matchups with the American Association. Interleague play ended after the 2015 season, though the Can-Am League continued to send players to the American Association's All-Star Game. Starting with the 2015 season, the league hosted international clubs as part of its regular season schedule. Each of

650-438: A traveling team would join the Ottawa Champions and the Sussex County Miners to create a balanced schedule, and continued to include matchups with the American Association. Interleague play ended after the 2015 season, though the Can-Am League continued to send players to the American Association's All-Star Game. Starting with the 2015 season, the league hosted international clubs as part of its regular season schedule. Each of

715-621: The 2006 Can-Am League Playoffs . They went on to have the most successful regular season in Can-Am League history. In the 2006 playoffs, the Spirit were defeated in the first round by the Quebec Capitales, 3-2, splitting the first two games at Fraser Field and then losing two out of three in Quebec City. Rumors were rampant in late 2006 that the Spirit would leave Lynn, but in November the team confirmed that it would return for

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780-565: The American Association of Independent Professional Baseball , with which it shares a commissioner. After the 2013 season, Newark announced it would not compete in the 2014 season and the team was eventually folded altogether. In 2014, the Can-Am League announced that a fifth team, based in Ottawa, would join the league for 2015. The league later announced it would be returning to Sussex County, New Jersey as well, and announced that

845-441: The American Association of Independent Professional Baseball , with which it shares a commissioner. After the 2013 season, Newark announced it would not compete in the 2014 season and the team was eventually folded altogether. In 2014, the Can-Am League announced that a fifth team, based in Ottawa, would join the league for 2015. The league later announced it would be returning to Sussex County, New Jersey as well, and announced that

910-469: The American Association of Independent Professional Baseball . The Can-Am League ceased operations after the 2019 season, with five of the six league teams joining the independent Frontier League . The Can-Am League was created when the Northeast League was renamed in 2005. The Northeast League was formed in 1995 and played four seasons as an independent league. At the end of the 1998 season,

975-810: The Baltimore Orioles , is also part of the ownership group, which is known as Boston Baseball All-Stars LLC. The team was renamed the Pittsfield Colonials . After the 2010 season, In its place, the league awarded the Rockland Boulders a franchise, added the Newark Bears from the Atlantic League, and formed the New York Federals as a traveling team. Pittsfield's franchise charter was rescinded after

1040-412: The Baltimore Orioles , is also part of the ownership group, which is known as Boston Baseball All-Stars LLC. The team was renamed the Pittsfield Colonials . After the 2010 season, In its place, the league awarded the Rockland Boulders a franchise, added the Newark Bears from the Atlantic League, and formed the New York Federals as a traveling team. Pittsfield's franchise charter was rescinded after

1105-635: The COVID-19 pandemic causing the league to cancel its 2020 campaign. The Champions were not invited, but the Frontier League would eventually grant a franchise to Ottawa and that team would begin play in 2022 as the Ottawa Titans . In its inaugural season, the Can-Am League kept the two-division setup and half-season format that the Northeast League had. The two teams that were leading their respective divisions, designated North and South, at

1170-453: The COVID-19 pandemic causing the league to cancel its 2020 campaign. The Champions were not invited, but the Frontier League would eventually grant a franchise to Ottawa and that team would begin play in 2022 as the Ottawa Titans . In its inaugural season, the Can-Am League kept the two-division setup and half-season format that the Northeast League had. The two teams that were leading their respective divisions, designated North and South, at

1235-600: The Can-Am League , was a professional, independent baseball league with teams in the Northeast United States and Eastern Canada , founded in 2005 as a reorganization of its predecessor, the Northeast League . The Can-Am League operated in cities not directly served by Major or Minor League teams and was not affiliated with either. The league office was in Dayton, Ohio . Though a separate entity,

1300-524: The Fort Wayne Wizards prompted the team to seek alternate names. Lopardo acquired the team in 2002 when he purchased the inactive franchise. After the formation of the team was announced in August 2002, Lopardo funded a massive, expensive renovation of Fraser Field. $ 2 million was put into improvements in seating, comfort, and technology of the field, including the installation of FieldTurf in

1365-698: The International League , joined the Can-Am League as the Rapidz , an eighth franchise, displacing the Grays. After the 2008 season, Rapidz management declared bankruptcy. The league declared its intention to operate the Ottawa franchise in 2009. The league changed the team's name back to Rapids, a spelling used during the team's founding (Rapides in French). Later, however, the Commissioner stated

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1430-409: The International League , joined the Can-Am League as the Rapidz , an eighth franchise, displacing the Grays. After the 2008 season, Rapidz management declared bankruptcy. The league declared its intention to operate the Ottawa franchise in 2009. The league changed the team's name back to Rapids, a spelling used during the team's founding (Rapides in French). Later, however, the Commissioner stated

1495-400: The Northeast United States and Eastern Canada , founded in 2005 as a reorganization of its predecessor, the Northeast League . The Can-Am League operated in cities not directly served by Major or Minor League teams and was not affiliated with either. The league office was in Dayton, Ohio . Though a separate entity, the league shared a commissioner, president, and director of umpires with

1560-627: The 2003 season and continued play for one additional year before the renaming of the league. The Allentown Ambassadors folded days before the 2004 season began, forcing the Northeast League to field a traveling team called the Aces . For the 2005 season, the Northeast League accepted the Worcester Tornadoes as a new eighth team. However, three weeks before the start of the 2005 season, the Bangor Lumberjacks folded, forcing

1625-439: The 2003 season and continued play for one additional year before the renaming of the league. The Allentown Ambassadors folded days before the 2004 season began, forcing the Northeast League to field a traveling team called the Aces . For the 2005 season, the Northeast League accepted the Worcester Tornadoes as a new eighth team. However, three weeks before the start of the 2005 season, the Bangor Lumberjacks folded, forcing

1690-600: The 2003 season was a game against the New Jersey Jackals in which the Spirit set over 15 Northeast League records by scoring 14 runs in one inning. On the field, the team featured two players who were signed by Major League Baseball organizations: outfielder Carlos Sepulveda, by the Florida Marlins and second baseman Marcos Agramonte, by the San Diego Padres . Also in that year the team held

1755-757: The 2011 season and the Colonials folded after ownership could not find partners. The Brockton Rox moved to the Futures Collegiate Baseball League after the 2011 season. At the end of the 2012 season the Worcester charter was rescinded and the league decided to try to find new owners for the Tornadoes, but failed to do so and awarded the franchise instead to a Trois-Rivières, Quebec, group. Beginning in 2012, Can-Am League clubs played 18 to 20 games per season against opponents from

1820-496: The 2011 season and the Colonials folded after ownership could not find partners. The Brockton Rox moved to the Futures Collegiate Baseball League after the 2011 season. At the end of the 2012 season the Worcester charter was rescinded and the league decided to try to find new owners for the Tornadoes, but failed to do so and awarded the franchise instead to a Trois-Rivières, Quebec, group. Beginning in 2012, Can-Am League clubs played 18 to 20 games per season against opponents from

1885-503: The 46 game half. The Spirit also once again defeated the Quebec Capitales in the first round of the playoffs, 3 games to 2. However, just as in 2003, the Spirit fell in the league championship series, this time to the New Jersey Jackals . The Spirit won the first two games of the series at Yogi Berra Stadium , but dropped the three games at Fraser Field (two after blowing late inning leads and losing in extra innings). In 2004

1950-646: The American Defenders of New Hampshire from Nashua, New Hampshire, to Pittsfield, Massachusetts for play in the 2010 season. Final approval was granted by the city for use of Wahconah Park on February 1. The ownership group headed by Buddy Lewis had a lease on Wahconah Park for a team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League , and transferred the current lease for play in the Can-Am League. Dan Duquette , current executive vice-president of baseball operations for

2015-482: The American Defenders of New Hampshire from Nashua, New Hampshire, to Pittsfield, Massachusetts for play in the 2010 season. Final approval was granted by the city for use of Wahconah Park on February 1. The ownership group headed by Buddy Lewis had a lease on Wahconah Park for a team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League , and transferred the current lease for play in the Can-Am League. Dan Duquette , current executive vice-president of baseball operations for

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2080-739: The Canadian-American Association. For 2006, the Can-Am League added two teams. Floyd Hall Enterprises, which owned the Jackals, decided to launch a second team after the New Jersey Cardinals franchise was relocated and founded the Sussex Skyhawks . The Skyhawks took the place of the Elmira Pioneers , which moved into the amateur New York Collegiate Baseball League . The league also received

2145-401: The Canadian-American Association. For 2006, the Can-Am League added two teams. Floyd Hall Enterprises, which owned the Jackals, decided to launch a second team after the New Jersey Cardinals franchise was relocated and founded the Sussex Skyhawks . The Skyhawks took the place of the Elmira Pioneers , which moved into the amateur New York Collegiate Baseball League . The league also received

2210-448: The Frontier League, the league awarded playoff spots to the teams with the four best records at the end of the regular season. The league salary cap was a maximum amount that could be spent on the entire player roster. Teams could apportion it among players as they saw fit. Certain players were given coaching duties to earn additional pay. The maximum salary cap for a rostered player was about US$ 4,000 every one to two months, depending on

2275-448: The Frontier League, the league awarded playoff spots to the teams with the four best records at the end of the regular season. The league salary cap was a maximum amount that could be spent on the entire player roster. Teams could apportion it among players as they saw fit. Certain players were given coaching duties to earn additional pay. The maximum salary cap for a rostered player was about US$ 4,000 every one to two months, depending on

2340-453: The LS rating of each player. Since 2005, the Can-Am League regular season schedule varied in length from 92 to 102 games. In 2019, the league scheduled a 95-game regular season. In years when one of the teams was a league-operated traveling team, the franchises played an increased number of home games to keep the total length of the regular season constant. All games a franchise played against

2405-405: The LS rating of each player. Since 2005, the Can-Am League regular season schedule varied in length from 92 to 102 games. In 2019, the league scheduled a 95-game regular season. In years when one of the teams was a league-operated traveling team, the franchises played an increased number of home games to keep the total length of the regular season constant. All games a franchise played against

2470-606: The Northeast League was merged with the Northern League and became that league's East Division. Although the East Division did not play the teams that were already in the Northern League during the regular season, the respective divisions played each other in an all-star game every summer and in a league championship series every fall from 1999 until 2002. The Northeast League became its own entity again for

2535-493: The Spirit honored another local baseball legend, Johnny Pesky , affectionately known as "Mr. Red Sox ." The team featured two more players who would be picked up by Major League Organizations, this time, two pitchers: John Kelly and Jeremy Sugarman, who were signed by the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds , respectively. 2005 was the first year that the Spirit failed to make the playoffs, but nonetheless they had

2600-442: The end of the 1998 season, the Northeast League was merged with the Northern League and became that league's East Division. Although the East Division did not play the teams that were already in the Northern League during the regular season, the respective divisions played each other in an all-star game every summer and in a league championship series every fall from 1999 until 2002. The Northeast League became its own entity again for

2665-400: The end of the first half of the season automatically qualified for the playoffs. Two additional playoff spots would be made available. Once again, these went to division winners if the first half champions failed to repeat. Otherwise, one or more wild card spots would be given based on the team's overall record in both halves. If absolutely necessary, a one-game playoff would be played in case of

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2730-400: The end of the first half of the season automatically qualified for the playoffs. Two additional playoff spots would be made available. Once again, these went to division winners if the first half champions failed to repeat. Otherwise, one or more wild card spots would be given based on the team's overall record in both halves. If absolutely necessary, a one-game playoff would be played in case of

2795-481: The games of a series at the same ballpark. For example, the teams could travel to the visitors' ballpark for the middle game of a series. In 2014, the Can-Am League adopted the IBAF's international tiebreaker rule. If a game went beyond the tenth inning, each half-inning began with a runner on second base. The runner was the batter who made the last out in the team's previous turn at bat, or the batter immediately preceding

2860-430: The games of a series at the same ballpark. For example, the teams could travel to the visitors' ballpark for the middle game of a series. In 2014, the Can-Am League adopted the IBAF's international tiebreaker rule. If a game went beyond the tenth inning, each half-inning began with a runner on second base. The runner was the batter who made the last out in the team's previous turn at bat, or the batter immediately preceding

2925-442: The infield. In their first season, 2003, 90,000 people attended Spirit games, a record for pro baseball at Fraser Field. In the 2003 season, the Spirit won the first-half North Division championship and defeated the Quebec Capitales in the first round of the playoffs, 3 games to 0, then were swept by the Brockton Rox , 3 games to 0, in the league championship series, giving Brockton the Northeast League title. Another highlight of

2990-619: The leadoff man for the inning if that player had been substituted out. Play continued as normal otherwise. If the game remained tied, the process repeated until one team won. The first use of the rule came on June 2, 2014, in an interleague matchup between the St. Paul Saints and the Quebec Capitales , and the American Association has also adopted the rule. Can-Am League Northeast League Northern League East Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball The Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball , commonly known as

3055-448: The league shared a commissioner, president, and director of umpires with the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball . The Can-Am League ceased operations after the 2019 season, with five of the six league teams joining the independent Frontier League . The Can-Am League was created when the Northeast League was renamed in 2005. The Northeast League was formed in 1995 and played four seasons as an independent league. At

3120-511: The military tie-ins of its new ownership group. During the 2009 season the Defenders were locked out of Holman Stadium and forced to play their last home games on the road, bringing doubt to the future of baseball in Nashua . The Quebec Capitales would go on to win their second League Championship. On December 19, 2009, league directors preliminarily gave approval to transfer the membership of

3185-402: The military tie-ins of its new ownership group. During the 2009 season the Defenders were locked out of Holman Stadium and forced to play their last home games on the road, bringing doubt to the future of baseball in Nashua . The Quebec Capitales would go on to win their second League Championship. On December 19, 2009, league directors preliminarily gave approval to transfer the membership of

3250-570: The need for a "fresh start" and opened a contest to select a new name for the team. The winning name was "Voyageurs". Still later, the Atlantic City franchise was terminated, as a sale fell through. On March 30, 2009, the league announced that it would shrink to six teams rather than having two league-operated teams. The Nashua Pride franchise was sold and was known in 2009 as the American Defenders of New Hampshire because of

3315-439: The need for a "fresh start" and opened a contest to select a new name for the team. The winning name was "Voyageurs". Still later, the Atlantic City franchise was terminated, as a sale fell through. On March 30, 2009, the league announced that it would shrink to six teams rather than having two league-operated teams. The Nashua Pride franchise was sold and was known in 2009 as the American Defenders of New Hampshire because of

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3380-561: The regular clubs of the league played a series of 3 or 4 games against these international teams and the results of those games counted in the regular season standings. Over the years, the league hosted teams from Cuba, Japan and the Dominican Republic. On October 16, 2019, the independent Frontier League announced that it was merging with the Can-Am League for the 2020 season. The Jackals, Miners, Capitales, Aigles, and Boulders all joined but did not start play until 2021 due to

3445-492: The regular clubs of the league played a series of 3 or 4 games against these international teams and the results of those games counted in the regular season standings. Over the years, the league hosted teams from Cuba, Japan and the Dominican Republic. On October 16, 2019, the independent Frontier League announced that it was merging with the Can-Am League for the 2020 season. The Jackals, Miners, Capitales, Aigles, and Boulders all joined but did not start play until 2021 due to

3510-426: The roster size. However most players made about $ 2–3,000 every month. There were some rostered players that made the maximum every two months. There were no players in the league that made more than $ 4,000 per month. Rosters were limited to 23 players once the regular season began. An additional two players could be on the disabled list (which was referred to on some published rosters as the disabled/inactive list, and

3575-426: The roster size. However most players made about $ 2–3,000 every month. There were some rostered players that made the maximum every two months. There were no players in the league that made more than $ 4,000 per month. Rosters were limited to 23 players once the regular season began. An additional two players could be on the disabled list (which was referred to on some published rosters as the disabled/inactive list, and

3640-483: The team to create another traveling team, this time called The Grays . The league operated a traveling team whenever necessary to provide an even number of teams. However, doing so forced the other franchises to host more home games to provide a season of the same length. To obviate such disruptive last-minute schedule changes in the future, the Northeast League adopted a new charter, giving the league new powers to ensure that its franchises were solvent, and renamed itself

3705-483: The team to create another traveling team, this time called The Grays . The league operated a traveling team whenever necessary to provide an even number of teams. However, doing so forced the other franchises to host more home games to provide a season of the same length. To obviate such disruptive last-minute schedule changes in the future, the Northeast League adopted a new charter, giving the league new powers to ensure that its franchises were solvent, and renamed itself

3770-407: The traveling team were played at the franchise's ballpark. However, half of those games were designated "home games" for the traveling team, which took the field first and batted last as though the game were played at the traveling team's "home." Opponents played a series of from three to five games on consecutive days. Occasionally, for clubs near to one another, the original schedule did not put all

3835-407: The traveling team were played at the franchise's ballpark. However, half of those games were designated "home games" for the traveling team, which took the field first and batted last as though the game were played at the traveling team's "home." Opponents played a series of from three to five games on consecutive days. Occasionally, for clubs near to one another, the original schedule did not put all

3900-605: The winners advancing to the League Championship Series, which was also best of five. Beginning in 2012, the league stopped using the half-season format. From 2012 through 2014, the teams with the two best records in the league advanced to the League Championship Series. The series was expanded from a best of five to a best of seven. This changed in 2015 when Ottawa and Sussex County joined the league, which enabled it to have enough teams to return to its previous playoff format. From this point until its merger with

3965-525: The winners advancing to the League Championship Series, which was also best of five. Beginning in 2012, the league stopped using the half-season format. From 2012 through 2014, the teams with the two best records in the league advanced to the League Championship Series. The series was expanded from a best of five to a best of seven. This changed in 2015 when Ottawa and Sussex County joined the league, which enabled it to have enough teams to return to its previous playoff format. From this point until its merger with

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4030-477: Was a blue bald eagle . (The Spirit were followed by the North Shore Navigators , a summer collegiate baseball team, from the Futures Collegiate Baseball League .) Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball The Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball , commonly known as the Can-Am League , was a professional, independent baseball league with teams in

4095-642: Was made in April 2006 as ex-Spirit player Ken Ray made his team debut for the Atlanta Braves , striking out Barry Bonds as part of a 1-2-3 inning against the San Francisco Giants . Ray became a mainstay in the Atlanta bullpen that season and even served as the team's closer for a time. On July 12, 2006, the Spirit won their third first-half championship in franchise history, qualifying for

4160-426: Was sometimes used to ensure that a player under contract that a team does not wish to use was unavailable to opponents). League roster rules gave each player an LS (Length of Service) rating, based on the number of full years the player had played professionally: Rookie, LS-1 through LS-5, and Veteran. Teams could carry at most four veterans and were required to carry at least five rookies. Some published rosters stated

4225-426: Was sometimes used to ensure that a player under contract that a team does not wish to use was unavailable to opponents). League roster rules gave each player an LS (Length of Service) rating, based on the number of full years the player had played professionally: Rookie, LS-1 through LS-5, and Veteran. Teams could carry at most four veterans and were required to carry at least five rookies. Some published rosters stated

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