Who are the Albany Athletics?
The franchise, in existence since 1995, changed names to the Athletics before the 2002 season. Previously, the team was known as the Electric City Giants in 1995 and 1996, then the Albany Senators for 6 years starting in 1997. The team is affiliated with the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) and competes in the Haack Division of the Albany Twilight League.
What kind of league is the Albany Twilight League?
Established in 1931, the Twilight League is a wood bat league with players 18 years old and up. The league is primarily composed of post-college and current college players from junior college to Division I. All eight league teams compete at Bleecker Stadium every day of the week for a 24-game league schedule. Games during the week are at 7 pm and on weekends at 5 pm and 7:30.
What kind of season do the Athletics compete in?
The Athletics not only compete in their 24 league games, but they also schedule 20-25 additional games to give them a competitive season schedule. Their non-league schedule includes competition against Perfect Game League (PBL) teams and New York Collegiate League teams (NYCBL), as well as various tournaments and its own 6-8 team invitational tournament held in the Capital District. In 2012, the Athletics nearly became the first team in New York State to compete against the Cape Cod League in a non-league game. The game was scheduled but rained out. See the story in Albany Times Union on the game: http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Iorizzo-Twilight-League-reaches-big-time-4589420.php. Other non-league games include opponents who have reached the Continental Amateur Baseball Association (CABA) and participants of the Upper New York State Championship Tournament. For several years, the Athletics have also competed in a pre-season exhibition game against franchises in the independent Northern League which gives players a chance to play in front of professional coaches and scouts.
Do the Athletics have a chance to play for a legitimate World Series title?
Yes. The Athletics have been at or near the top of the Twilight League every year since their first year (1998) in the league qualifying the team for a berth in the Upper New York State tournament or the North Atlantic Regional tournament 16 consecutive years. Albany has been successful in capturing the state title a record 10 times since 1998 and won its third North Atlantic Regional Tournament in 2013 advancing them to the National World Series for the third time in four years. In 2012, the A’s traveled to the World Series in Port St. Lucie, FL where they dramatically won their first National title on a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 9th inning vs Tampa. It was the first time any Twilight League team or Upper New York State team captured the World Series since it began in 1935.
What have the Athletics accomplished since they have been in existence?
The Athletics have not only seen dozens of their players play professional baseball, but the franchise has captured a number of championships. Please note them below:
2014 – North Atlantic Regional Runner Up, Upper New York State CHAMPIONS, Twilight League Haack Division Champions, Athletics BB Fest Runner Up, 39-16 overall under management and ownership of Joe Altieri
2013 – World Series 8th place nationally, North Atlantic Regional CHAMPIONS, (did not have to participate in the State Tournament due to a BYE for winning the Twilight League regular season), Twilight League Haack Division Champions, Athletics BB Fest Champions, 38-11 overall under management and ownership of Joe Altieri
2012 – World Series National CHAMPIONS, North Atlantic Regional CHAMPIONS, (did not have to participate in the State Tournament due to a BYE for winning the Twilight League regular season), Twilight League CHAMPIONS, Twilight League Haack Division Champions, Athletics BB Fest Champions, 47-7 overall under management and ownership of Joe Altieri
2011 – North Atlantic Regional Runner Up (did not have to participate in the State Tournament due to a BYE for winning the Twilight League regular season), Twilight League CHAMPIONS, Twilight League Haack Division Champions, Athletics BB Fest Champions, 35-9 overall under management and ownership of Joe Altieri
2010 – World Series 5th place nationally, North Atlantic Regional CHAMPIONS (did not have to participate in the State Tournament due to a BYE for winning the Twilight League regular season), Twilight League CHAMPIONS, Twilight League Haack Division Champions, Athletics BB Fest 5th place, 39-11-1 record under management and ownership of Joe Altieri
2009 – UNY State Tournament CHAMPIONS, Twilight League CHAMPIONS, Twilight League Haack Division Champions, North Atlantic Regional 3rd place, Athletics BB Fest Runner Up, 38-10 record under management and ownership of Joe Altieri
2008 – UNY State Tournament CHAMPIONS, Twilight League Runner Up, North Atlantic Regional Runner Up, Athletics BB Fest CHAMPIONS, 34-14 record under management and ownership of Joe Altieri
2007 – UNY State Tournament CHAMPIONS, Twilight League CHAMPIONS, Twilight League Haack Division Champions, North Atlantic Regional Runner Up, Athletics BB Fest CHAMPIONS, 46-7 record under management and ownership of Joe Altieri
2006 – UNY State Tournament CHAMPIONS, Twilight League CHAMPIONS, Twilight League Haack Division Champions, North Atlantic Regional third place finish, Athletics BB Fest 6th place, 32-12 record under management and ownership of Joe Altieri
2005 – UNY State Tournament Runner Up, Twilight League Haack Division Champions, Athletics BB Fest 3rd Place, 24-14 record under management and ownership of Joe Altieri
2004 – UNY State CHAMPIONS, Twilight League Haack Division CHAMPIONS, Athletics BB Fest CHAMPIONS, North Atlantic Regional 3rd place finish, 37-15 record under management and ownership of Joe Altieri
2003 – UNY State 3rd place finishers, Twilight League Haack Division CHAMPIONS, Ottawa Int’l Fest CHAMPIONS, Athletics BB Fest 3rd place finishers, 36-14 record under management and ownership of Joe Altieri
2002 – UNY State CHAMPIONS, North Atlantic Final Four, Twilight Haack Division CHAMPIONS, Athletics BB Fest CHAMPIONS, 5th place in Ottawa Int’l Fest, 29-14-2 record under management and ownership of Joe Altieri
2001 – UNY State CHAMPIONS, Twilight Tholl Division CHAMPIONS (best league record), Athletics BB Fest CHAMPIONS, 3rd place in Ottawa Int’l Fest, 40-7 record under management of Joe Altieri / Owner Bob Bellizzi
2000 – UNY State CHAMPIONS, Ottawa Int’l Fest CHAMPIONS, 22-18-2 record under management of Joe Altieri / Owner Bob Bellizzi
1999 – UNY State Runner-Up, 25-23-2 record under management of Joe Altieri / Owner Bob Bellizzi
1998 – UNY State CHAMPIONS, North Atlantic Sub-Regional CHAMPIONS, North Atlantic Region Final Four, 33-14-2 record under management of Joe Altieri / owner Bob Bellizzi
1997 – Mountains Collegiate League CHAMPIONS, Sch’dy Baseball Shootout CHAMPIONS, 33-10 record under management of Joe Altieri/owner Joe Vellano
1996 – Mountains Collegiate League Runner-Up, 24-14 record under management of Joe Altieri/Owner Joe Vellano
1995 – Mountains Collegiate League CHAMPIONS under the management of Kevin Graber/Owner Joe Vellano
