Tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, April 12th, baseball fans can take a look at the way baseball was played in the 19th century and get autographs from Somerset Patriots players and coaches at the team’s annual Fan Fest at TD Bank Ballpark.
The event, which will be held from noon-3 p.m., will feature a game between the Flemington Neshanock and the Elizabeth Resolutes played using 1864 rules. The two teams are members of the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Base Ball League.
Somerset Patriots manager emeritus Sparky Lyle, manager Brett Jodie, hitting coach Shane Spencer and select team players will also be on hand to sign autograph at various times during the event.
Fans will be able to tour the ballpark and take advantage of ticket specials, and there will be a variety of children’s activities.
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Sparky Lyle (file photo from 2008 – credit: Paul Hadsall)
Sparky Lyle has been a part of every Somerset Patriots season, and this June the team will make sure his legacy will not be forgotten.
On Saturday evening, June 14th, the Somerset Patriots will retire their former manager’s number 28 in a ceremony beginning at 6:35 p.m., prior to their 7:05 p.m. game vs. the Long Island Ducks.
“I am truly honored and humbled to have my number retired with the Somerset Patriots. Not only has the organization been where the second chapter of my baseball life took place, it became my home. The organization, the players and coaches I’ve worked with, and the fans have made it very special over 15 years,” Lyle said in a press release. “This will be one of the highlights of my career and I look forward to sharing the day with my family, friends, and of course our fans.”
The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive a commemorative pin and card highlighting Lyle’s career with the Patriots.
You can follow Paul’s Random Baseball Stuff on Facebook or Google+, see my photos on Flickr and Instagram, and follow @Paul_Hadsall on Twitter, where I talk about about a variety of things in addition to baseball.
The Somerset Patriots will hold their annual holiday toy drive at TD Bank Ballpark this Saturday, Dec. 7.
Fans are being asked to bring new, unwrapped toys to the Somerset Patriots Team Store . All toys will be donated to Foster Adoptive Family Services of New Jersey for those less fortunate.
Manager Emeritus Sparky Lyle and Manager Brett Jodie will be at the event to meet fans, sign autographs, and take pictures from 10 a.m. to noon.
Santa Claus and the team’s mascots will also be available for photos.
Fans who bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Foster Adoptive Family Services of New Jersey will have the chance to meet Patriots manager emeritus Sparky Lyle and get his autograph. Kids can also meet Santa Claus and Patriots mascots Sparkee and Slider.
“This is a special holiday event that both Sparky and our entire staff looks forward every year. We have a tremendous group of fans that help us collect hundreds of toys for those less fortunate and help bring a little holiday cheer to those who need it, ” said Patrick McVerry, President/ General Manager of the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club.