LYNN — The North Shore Navigators are busy making plans for their next season at Fraser Field.
Navs general manager Bill Terlecky last week announced the team’s schedule for next season, and also said that for the third straight year, the roster will include at least one player from Wofford College.
The Navs will take a trip down to Martha’s Vineyard to make their season debut on Thursday, May 31, marking the earliest start date in franchise and league history. It’s the team’s fourth opener in five years in Oak Bluffs.
North Shore uncaps its Fraser Field slate two nights later, on Saturday, June 2, against the Worcester Bravehearts.
The 56-game schedule features 28 home games, including five “Firework Friday” nights and eight weekend dates. An additional fireworks show follows the Saturday, July 28 game with Martha’s Vineyard, which will begin at 7 p.m. All six fireworks shows are sponsored by Wayne Alarm.
“Even though our record on the field wasn’t what we would have liked, last season was another extremely successful one in terms of attendance,” said Terlecky. “So we’re looking to build off that momentum this summer.”
Seven teams will make up the Futures Collegiate Baseball League in 2018, as the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs and Seacoast Mavericks will both not operate. As a result, there will be no East and West Divisions, but the top league’s six teams will still make the playoffs come season’s end.
Twelve games are scheduled between the Navs and Nashua during the regular season, including six at Holman Stadium, where the annual FCBL All-Star Game is scheduled to be played Tuesday, July 17. The season opener is one of five scheduled trips to the Vineyard and precedes a short trip north to Nashua, where the Navs will provide opposition for the two-time defending league champion Silver Knights’ home opener on Friday, June 1.
North Shore will face the Sharks 11 times, play 10 games against Brockton, eight against both Pittsfield and Bristol, and seven against Worcester, which advanced to the FCBL championship round in each of its first four seasons of existence. The Navs have four, three-date homestands scheduled at Fraser Field: June 20-22, July 12-14, July 25-28, and July 31-August 3. Three of the team’s four August openings are at Fraser.
Times for most home games remain unchanged from recent seasons. With a few exceptions, Monday through Friday night starts are set for 7 p.m., while weekend games will be played at 6 p.m. Saturdays and 5 p.m. Sundays. The Wednesday, June 6 and Tuesday, July 31 games against Nashua and Brockton, respectively, are set for 10:30 a.m. The Navs and Bristol will play a 5 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, July 14.
Family season passes, which admit four to all 28 regular-season home games, are on sale for $100. Registration is also open to rent one of the Navigators Party Decks or schedule a birthday party at Fraser Field. These decks book quickly, so email Bill Terlecky at [email protected] or visit nsnavs.com for more information.
Terlecky announced the signings of right-handed pitcher Scottie Wallace and outfielder Michael Wynne, both of Wofford, on Monday.
Wallace and Wynne, both freshmen, are the seventh and eighth-ever products of the Spartanburg, S.C., school to join the North Shore roster. Current Terrier outfielder Mack Nathanson and catcher Alec Cargin were members of the team in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
“Maintaining relationships with Division 1 programs, like the one we have with Wofford, has helped the FCBL grow so quickly in the summer collegiate baseball world,” Terlecky said. “We’ve had success with players from their team for several years, and I’m excited to watch Scottie and Michael play for us in 2018.”
