Zips Baseball: A Closer Look
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Zips Baseball is a college baseball team located in Akron, Ohio. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference and plays its home games at Canal Park.
The History of Zips Baseball
Though baseball has been played in some form or another for centuries, the game as we know it today has its roots in the 19th century. The first professional team was formed in Cincinnati in 1869, and by the early 1900s, baseball was a popular sport across the country.
The Zips baseball team was formed in 1925, and though they’ve had their ups and downs over the years, they’ve been a staple of the minor League Baseball scene ever since. The team has seen some Great players come through its ranks over the years, including future Major League Baseball stars like Lou Gehrig and Willie Mays.
These days, the Zips are a member of the Independent League, and though they may not be affiliated with any Major League team, they’re still a force to be reckoned with on the diamond. If you’re looking for a great time at the ballpark, make sure to catch a Zips game next time you’re in town!
The Zips Baseball Team Today
The Zips baseball team is currently in its third season as a Division I program. The team competes in the Mid-American Conference and is currently coached by Josh Newman. In their first season, the Zips went 18-34 overall and 7-17 in conference play In their second season, the team improved to 27-28 overall and 12-12 in conference play The team has yet to make an appearance in the NCAA tournament
The Fans of Zips Baseball
There are many fans of Zips baseball, and they come from all walks of life. Some are loyal to their local team while others follow the game more broadly. Regardless of their background, all fans have one thing in common: a passion for the sport of baseball.
This shared passion is what brings fans together and makes them such an important part of the game. Without fans, baseball would not be the same. The energy and excitement that they bring to the ballpark is palpable, and it helps to create an electric atmosphere that is truly unique.
Whether they are cheering on their team to victory or consoling them after a tough loss, fans play a vital role in the Game of Baseball Without them, the sport would not be nearly as enjoyable or popular as it is today.
The Zips Baseball Stadium
The Zips baseball stadium is located in Akron, Ohio, and is the home of the Zips baseball team The stadium was built in 2007 and has a capacity of 3,000 fans. The stadium features a grass field, bullpens for both teams, and a concessions stand.
The Zips Baseball Schedule
The Zips baseball schedule features 56 regular season games. The team will play its first 28 games on the road, including a season-opening, four-game series at UC Riverside from February 14-17. The Zips’ home opener is set for Wednesday, March 6 against St. Bonaventure at Canal Park. Akron will play host to conference foes Kent State (April 17-19), Miami (April 24-26) and Eastern Michigan (May 8-10) during the 2019 campaign.
The Zips Baseball Roster
The Zips Baseball Team is made up of 25 players, including 20 pitchers and 5 Position players
The 20 pitchers on the roster are:
RHP- Reid Birlingmair, Gage Buehler, Dalton Cody, Geoff Croxton, Luke Eubank, Andrew Misiaszek, Jake Mysock, Bryce Morrow, Rob Maday, Bret Myers, TJ Perez, Kevin Strebig
LHP- Michael Bienlien, Marc Huberman, Connor Ryan, Ryan Maguire, Tanner Stebbins
The 5 position players on the roster are:
C- Troy Murray
1B/DH- David Yoder
INF- Mike Alexander, Zach Currier
OF- Niko Kavadas
The Zips baseball coaching Staff
Zips Baseball is coached by Jeff DeLuca, who is in his 2nd year as Head Coach of the team. He is assisted by Pitching Coach Nate Morehouse and Hitting Coach Ben Rowen. The Zips play their home games at Canal Park, located in downtown Akron, Ohio.
DeLuca was hired in May of 2017 after spending the previous 12 years as an Assistant Coach at the University of Michigan He has also served as an assistant coach at Bowling Green State University and Eastern Michigan University In his first season as head coach of the Zips, DeLuca led the team to a 30-26 record and a berth in the MAC Tournament.
Morehouse is entering his 4th season as pitching coach for the Zips. Prior to joining the Coaching Staff at Akron, he spent two seasons as the pitching coach at Youngstown State University Morehouse was also a member of the coaching staffs at Otterbein University (2012) and Lourdes University (2013-14).
Rowen is beginning his 2nd season as hitting coach for Akron after being hired in July of 2017. Rowen comes to Akron after spending the previous four seasons as the minor league Pitching Coordinator for the Miami Marlins Prior to joining the Marlins organization, Rowen was a member of the coaching staffs at George Mason University (2009-10) and Bryant University (2011-13).
The Zips Baseball Farm System
The Zips Baseball team has a long-standing tradition of success, dating back to their time as a semi-professional team in the early 1900s. In recent years they have been able to maintain their success by developing a strong farm system
The farm system is made up of minor league baseball teams that are affiliated with the Zips. These teams act as a training ground for young players who hope to one day make it to the Major Leagues The farm system is essential for the Zips to maintain their competitive edge, as it allows them to continually replenish their roster with talented young players
The farm system is also beneficial for the local economy, as it brings in revenue and creates jobs. The presence of a minor league team can boost morale in a community and make it a more desirable place to live.
If you’re a fan of the Zips, then you should definitely familiarize yourself with their farm system. It’s an important part of the team’s success and provides many benefits to the community.
The Zips Baseball League
The Zips baseball league is a close-knit group of amateur players who compete in a friendly but heated format every summer. Each team is made up of players from all walks of life, from recent college graduates to fathers and grandfathers. The level of play is extremely high, as many of the players have significant experience playing at the collegiate or professional levels.
The league employs a unique format in which teams play each other in a series of three-game sets. This gives each team the opportunity to test their skills against a variety of opponents and ensure that the championship is ultimately decided by the best team in the league.
In recent years the Zips have been one of the most dominant teams in the league, winning championships in both 2016 and 2017. The team is led by manager Joe Girardi who has won multiple World Series titles as both a player and a coach.
If you’re looking for competitive summer baseball look no further than the Zips!
The Future of Zips Baseball
With the recent success of the Zips baseball team many are wondering what the future of Zips baseball holds.
As the team has shown great promise in recent years it is safe to say that the future looks bright for Zips baseball. With a strong core group of players and a coaching staff that has helped develop them into one of the best teams in the country, it is clear that the sky is the limit for this program.
Only time will tell just how far this team can go, but with the talent and dedication that they have, there is no doubt that they have what it takes to become a national powerhouse.