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09/30/2009 11:13 AM ET
ValleyCats 2009 Season in Review
Summer witnessed record attendance figures, memorable promotions and outstanding individual performances
Tri-City ValleyCats
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 (Mark Morand - Mainframe Photography)
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TROY, N.Y -- The Tri-City ValleyCats eighth season is in the books and the organization witnessed another record summer at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Despite its last place finish in the Stedler Division of the New York-Penn League, the ValleyCats welcomed a record number of fans and provided top-notch entertainment every single night.
Immediately following the successful 2008 season, the ValleyCats brain trust was working hard again to ensure that 2009 was even better than the previous seven seasons. Fifteen fireworks shows were scheduled and unique promotions lined each and every night.
The ValleyCats front office staff worked around the clock in June as the home opener drew closer. Construction removed seats in right field down the first base line for the addition of a new private party area, "The Porch", and the ValleyCats 10 luxury suites were renovated with freshly painted walls, new carpeting and interior design. After nine months of strategic planning for the 2009 season, June 20 and the home opener was finally here and the ValleyCats were prepared for another record-breaking season.
The eighth season at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium had to wait; however, as rain postponed the June 20 game against the Oneonta Tigers. The 'Cats had to wait until Thursday, June 25 until the season's first pitch at home could be thrown. The first home game of the 2009 season attracted a sellout crowd of 4,789 and a walk-off win. ValleyCats infielder Ben Orloff registered his first professional hit in the bottom of the 10th inning, scoring outfielders Russell Dixon and Renzo Tello. The ValleyCats hoped the winning was a sign of things to come in 2009.
The ValleyCats won three of the five games during the homestand and took a 5-4 record to Brooklyn to face the red-hot Cyclones who entered with a 9-2 mark. Brooklyn swept the 'Cats and both teams traveled up I-87 to Troy to play three more at "The Joe" as part of a rare six game stretch. Brooklyn continued the trend and took all three in Troy as the ValleyCats fell to 5-10. The series was not a complete loss for the ValleyCats as it welcomed two more sellouts, including a single-game organizational record of 6,838 on the Fourth of the July.
The ValleyCats played .500 ball as the team split series with Lowell and Oneonta swept State College and the Tigers at home. The team took a 10-15 record to Batavia with them as they faced the Muckdogs. The team struggled as it lost its next nine games and fell to 10-24. The team rebounded to take three in a row against Lowell and Oneonta, but the team couldn't remain consistent.
The 'Cats continued to draw fans to "The Joe" as more and more games sold out at the Capital Region's summer destination. Despite a few remarkable individual performances, the ValleyCats were unable to compete in the Stedler Division.
J.D. Martinez joined the ValleyCats on July 12 after scorching Rookie level Greeneville with a .419 batting average. Martinez continued his hot hitting with the ValleyCats, hitting .348 in July. Martinez recorded a two home run game on July 17 and a five hit affair on July 28 against Lowell. Martinez was selected to the New York-Penn League All-Star Game and hit a solo home run in that game. The All-Star's prolific professional debut was capped off with the league batting title after the outfielder finished with a .326 batting average.
Joining Martinez in State College for the All-Star Game were outfielders Russell Dixon and Brian Kemp and relief pitcher J.B. MacDonald. Dixon was in his second stint with the ValleyCats after playing in Troy in 2007. Kemp and MacDonald were two of the more local talents on the ValleyCats with Kemp hailing from East Rockaway, N.Y. and attending St. John's. University and MacDonald from Danvers, Mass. and attending Boston College.
The ValleyCats finished with a 27-48 record and in fourth place in the Stedler Division. The 'Cats did attract a record number of fans in 2009, despite a poor record, unstable economy and an abundance of rain. Five games in 2009 ranked in the top 10 of the ValleyCats all-time crowds. The ValleyCats attracted a record 12 sellouts, surpassing the record of nine set in 2008.
The ValleyCats have welcomed nearly one million fans since the club's inception in 2002. Over the eight seasons, 992,106 fans have come to "The Joe". The organization is set to eclipse the one million mark in its first homestand of 2010.
After the conclusion of the season, the 'Cats infielder Barry Butera was named the team Most Valuable Player after heating up in August and carrying himself professionally all season long. The Louisiana native struggled out of the gate in his first professional season, hitting just .191 in June and July. Butera adjusted to professional pitching in August, however, hitting .358. The left-handed hitting Butera had a stretch of six three-hit games in 11 dates between August 6 and August 19. Butera hit .267 overall in 61 games with 11 doubles.
The summer of 2009 saw record crowds, outstanding individual performances and entertainment each and every night at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. As the chapter closes on 2009, the next season is sure to be just as fun-filled and exciting as the previous eight.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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