Edmonton Cracker-Cats

Independent baseball team in Canada
name = Edmonton Cracker-Cats
founded = 2005
city = Edmonton, Alberta

cap
current league = Golden Baseball League (2007–)
current division = North Division
past league = Northern League (2004–2007)
currentname = Edmonton Cracker Cats (2005–present)
colours = Black, blue, silver, white
color box|black color box|#082567 color box|silver color box|white
ballpark = Telus Field
leaguechamps =
divisionchamps =
owner = Dan Orlich
manager = Brent Bowers
gm =
media = Edmonton Sun
CFRN
Edmonton Journal
website = http://www.crackercats.ca crackercats.ca

The Edmonton Cracker-Cats are a professional baseball team based in Edmonton, Alberta, in Canada. The Cracker-Cats are a member of the North Division of the Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball.

Team history

Northern League (2005–2007)

The Cracker-Cats began as an expansion team in 2005 as a member of the Northern League. The name "Cracker-Cats" is derived from the oil industry term fluid catalytic cracking ("cat cracking" for short), which is part of the process of refining crude oil into gasoline by converting high boiling hydrocarbons into smaller molecules. They played the first game of their inaugural season on May 20, 2005, on the road against the Kansas City T-Bones. Their first home game did not take place until one week later when they hosted the Sioux Falls Canaries in front of 7,894 [ [http://www.nlfan.com/edmonton nlfan.com: Edmonton Cracker-Cats ] ] fans.

On July 18, 2006, Stubby Clapp was named MVP of the Northern League All-Star Game. On September 3, 2006, the 'Cats finished their second season six games back in the wild card race and missed the playoffs.

The 2007 season was a major disappointment for the team despite adding three former Major Leaguers, Ryan Radmanovich, Mike Johnson, and Lou Pote. The 'Cats finished 38–58 and last in the league.

The 2006 brawl

On June 13, 2006, a string of bean balls in the first two innings touched off two major brawls between the Cracker-Cats and their provincial rivals, the Calgary Vipers. After Edmonton's Greg Morrison was hit by a Calgary pitch for the fourth time in five games, the Cracker-Cats responded by throwing at two Calgary players. The resulting melee was so violent that the umpires sent both teams off the field, and suspended the game for over an hour to consult with league officials. When the Cracker-Cats refused to return to the field afterward, the game was declared a forfeit and the Vipers were awarded a 9–0 victory even though Edmonton was leading 1–0. [ [http://www.winnipegsun.com/Sports/Baseball/2006/06/15/1633992-sun.html winnipegsun.com – Baseball – Battle of Alberta, baseball style ] ] As a result of the suspension, Cracker-Cats manager Terry Bevington resigned.

The league came down hard on both teams, as both managers and seven players were suspended a total of 79 games. [http://www.northernleague.com/news/?id=4453] Morrison blamed Calgary manager Mike Busch for the incident, believing that Busch continues to hold a grudge after both Morrison, and another former Viper, J.P. Fauske defected to the Cracker-Cats after leaving the Vipers after a falling out with the Calgary manager late in the 2005 season. [ [http://www.edmontonsun.com/Sports/OtherSports/2006/06/15/1633901-sun.html edmontonsun.com – Other Sports – Basebrawl ] ]

Golden Baseball League (2008–present)

After three years in the Northern League, the Cracker-Cats joined the Golden Baseball League on October 24, 2007. This occurred just after the rival Vipers jumped to the league. On June 30, 2008, The 'Cats set a new attendance record of 8,676 fans against the Vipers. [http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3671386]

On August 22, 2008, the Cracker-Cats clinched a playoff spot by defeating the Orange County Flyers 13–4 and won the second half. They faced the Vipers, who won the first half, in the first-ever North Division Championship Series, but were swept by Calgary 3 games to 0.

Player sales

Brian Munhall sold to the Milwaukee Brewers, Phil Devey sold to the Philadelphia Phillies, Aric Van Gaalen sold to the Seattle Mariners, and Scott Richmond invited to Toronto Blue Jays training camp.

Year-by-year record

				First Half			Second Half			Overall
Season		Division		W-L	Finish		W-L	Finish		W-L	Win%		Playoffs
2005		NL North		22–26	5th		25–22	3rd		47–48	.495		Did not qualify
2006		NL North		21–27	3rd		23–25	T-3		44–52	.458		Did not qualify
2007		NL North		19–29	4th		19–29	4th		37–58	.389		Did not qualify
2008		GBL North		22–21	2nd		29–15	1st		51–36	.586		Lost North Division playoff (0–3 Cgy)

ee also

*List of baseball teams in Canada

External links

* [http://www.crackercats.ca Edmonton Cracker-Cats' Official Website]
* [http://www.nlfan.com/edmonton nlfan.com Edmonton Cracker Cats' Guide]

References

* [http://www.nlfan.com/league/ nlfan.com] – Yearly league standings and awards.