VERMONT LAKE MONSTERS UNVEIL NEW LOGO FOR 2014 SEASON

Speaking as someone who has been around this team since they were the Vermont Expos, I can't tell you how many times a fan would ask why the Champ on the logo was a grey serpent shaped sea monster and the mascot was a big and green.  Even after the name was changed to the Lake Monsters and adding a new green and blue logo, the difference was still apparent.

Don't misunderstand, I am a big fan of both of the previous logo concepts.  However, the logo that was unveiled Saturday bridged the gap between the logo and mascot.

"The logos and team identities of the past did not truly reflect the connection between team and mascot," explained Nate Cloutier, the team's General Manager. "We set out to adjust to match what our fans have come to know and love -- the Lake Monsters and the big, lime green mascot, CHAMP! We want people to think of CHAMP and the Lake Monsters when they see lime green, just like the connection with Crimson and Alabama, or Burnt Orange and Texas."

The new Lake Monsters logo features Champ swimming along with his head and tail breaking the service of the water.  Here it is!

The new game cap will feature Champ without the name underneath.

The batting practice caps will feature just Champ's face emerging.

While the primary logo features Champ showing his game-face, the team chose a friendlier look to appeal to the younger fans.  It is a cartoon version of the beloved mascot carrying his bat and a ball, ready for the game to start.

The Lake Monsters also launched a new series of merchandise today featuring the new logos.  Here are a few examples.

Check out these and more at the team website vermontlakemonsters.com

Between ballpark renovations and new logos, there have been a lot of changes for the Vermont Lake Monsters over the past few years.  Can't wait to see what else the future has to hold for the organization.

See you at the ballpark!

Ray Pecor inducted to VT Sports Hall Of Hame

Vermont Lake Monsters owner Ray Pecor to receive Vermont Sports Hall of Fame’s David K. Hakins Award

BURLINGTON, Vt. -- The owner of Vermont's lone affiliated minor league baseball team since 1994, Raymond 'Ray' Pecor Jr. is the inaugural David K. Hakins Award inductee into the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame. The board of directors of the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame made the announcement today, October 22, 2013.

 

The Hakins Award recognizes a business leader or an organization for exceptional promotion and development of sports, athletics and recreation in the state of Vermont. It is named in memory of the late David K. Hakins, a businessman who was a founding member of the VSHOF and the inspirational first president of its board of directors.

 

“This is an honor and I am proud to receive this award,” Pecor said after he was informed of his selection.

 

“As you know, I love the sport, our community and our state. I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish with the facility,” said Pecor, referring to Centennial Field. “It could not have happened without the support of the University of Vermont, the fans and the business community … and the media has been very supportive.”

 

David Hakins’ wife, Jane, said, “It’s such an honor to see Dave’s name attached to an award whose recipient shares his passion for business development and promotion.

 

“He loved working with the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame from its infancy and would be humbled to see the work given such respect,” she said. 

 

Justin Martin, chair of the Hall’s board of directors, said, “This award was created and will forever make the name Dave Hakins synonymous with the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame.  

 

“Dave's ability to bring together the sporting world and the business world was a gift he helped share with our executive committee. Ray Pecor is the perfect first recipient of this award as his leadership in the community of Vemont has spurred both economic development and a passion for sports,” Martin said. “His work to revitalize Centennial Field and keep minor professional baseball here in the State of Vermont and at the same time be a business leader is something Dave Hakins would truly admire.  

 

“Congratulations, Mr. Pecor, we are honored.”

 

The longtime owner of the Lake Champlain Transportation Company and several other successful businesses, Pecor returned minor league baseball to the Green Mountain State after a five-year absence by purchasing a New York Penn League (Class A, short season) franchise prior to the 1994 season. First affiliated with the former Montreal Expos, the Vermont Expos opened that year with record crowds at Centennial Field and went on to capture the league championship in 1996. Now the Vermont Lake Monsters and an Oakland Athletics affiliate since 2011, the team in 2013 celebrated its 20th campaign and saw its two-millionth fan walk through the turnstiles.

 

In addition to rejuvenating professional baseball in Vermont, Pecor personally spearheaded the $2 million-plus renovation of historic Centennial Field, which hosted its first baseball game in 1906. Since 2012, his funding has given the ballpark new and improved lights, new dugouts, a greatly improved playing surface, the state's first video scoreboard and new seating while reinforcing the concrete of the grandstand that was built in 1922. All the improvements have modernized the ballpark for players and fans while keeping its historic feel. 

 

Pecor previously owned and operated a Triple-A International League franchise in Ottawa, Ontario, and is currently a partner of the Lehigh Valley (Pa.) Iron Pigs, also in the International League. 

 

For more than four decades, Pecor has made tremendous contributions in the areas of transportation, entertainment and downtown revitalization that have been critical to the economic development of the state.  Never seeking the spotlight,  Pecor and his family have quietly been longtime benefactors to many community causes throughout the Green Mountain State. He ahas anonymously assisted fledgling businesses and other organizations in need of advice or financial support in the area. Pecor to this day serves on the boards of many local businesses, educational and non-profit organizations boards as well.

 

A native of Burlington and a graduate of Burlington High School, Pecor also attended the University of Vermont and was awarded a Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree in May of 2013. A longtime member of UVM's Board of Trustees and Alumni Council, Pecor received the school's Alumni Achievement Award in 1997.

 

Pecor is the 12th member of the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of ’13, joining U.S. Olympic skiers Barbara Cochran and Billy Kidd, BFA-St. Albans football standout Ollie Dunlap, baseball players Ray Fisher and Ralph Lapointe, high school basketball coach Jean Robinson, long-time Vermont Fish & Wildlife commissioner Ed Kehoe, field hockey star Gretchen Scheuermann, Middlebury College hockey record-setter Phil Latreille, basketball star Keith Cieplicki and Charles Adams, the first VTSH Board of Directors’ historical inductee. For more information on the Class of 2013 inductees, log on to 

http://www.vermontsportshall.com/2013class.html.

 

The Class of ’13 will be honored on Nov. 17at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton on Williston Road. A reception will be held at 4 p.m. with the dinner and induction at 5 p.m. The event is in conjunction with the VSHOF’s designated charity, Prevent Child Abuse Vermont.

 

Tickets for the second annual event are $75 per person and tables of 10 are available. Information on the dinner and tickets is available atwww.vermontsportshall.com/dinnerinfo.html.

For more information on the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame, log on to the Hall's official website at www.vermontsportshall.com

7-3-2013 Game Results

LAKE MONSTERS RELEASE

New York-Penn League Affiliate of the Oakland Athletics

SINGLE RUNS IN 8th AND 9th GIVE VERMONT 2-1 WIN WEDNESDAY

Chad Pinder tied game with solo homer in 8th, then Wilfredo Solano game-ending RBI single in 9th

Gregory Paulino 4 scoreless innings of relief for win ... Vermont (7-9) return home July 7-9

Boxscore

BURLINGTON, VT --- Chad Pinder tied the game with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the eighth inning and Wilfredo Solano ended it with an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth as the Vermont Lake Monsters beat Tri-City 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon to take two-of-three in the New York-Penn League series against the division-leading ValleyCats.

The game was delayed 48 minutes at the start due to rain and stayed scoreless until the fourth when Michael Martinez homered off Tyler Johnson, who started the game in place of Gregory Paulino because of the delay. Johnson would allow just one other hit, a two-out single in the first, over four innings of work and reliever Trevor Bayless tossed a scoreless fifth.

Tri-City starter Zach Morton allowed just one hit, a leadoff single to Boog Powell in the fourth, over his four innings and reliever Randall Fant just a B.J. Boyd infield single in the seventh in his first three innings before he gave up the game-tying home run to Pinder. 

Powell led off the ninth with a walk from ValleyCat reliever Albert Minnis and advanced to third when Boyd grounded a single just off the glove of first baseman Conrad Gregor. Solano fouled off a couple of bunt attempts before lining a 2-2 pitch from Minnis up the leftcenter field gap for the game-ending base hit.

Paulino (1-2) came on in the fifth inning in relief of Bayless and gave up just two hits with a walk and a strikeout in four scoreless innings to earn his first win of the season. Boyd had two of Vermont's six hits in the game and increased his league-leading average to .414 overall. Each of the three games in the series, including Tuesday night's doubleheader split, ended with identical 2-1 scores.

Wednesday's game also saw the Lake Monsters debut of Ryan Huck (0-for-3), a 27th-round pick out of Western Kentucky University by the Oakland Athletics. A 2013 first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection after hitting .367 with 16 doubles and 16 homers in 53 games, Huck joins Vermont after hitting .475 (19-for-40) with 7 doubles and two homers in 10 games for the Arizona League Athletics.

Vermont (7-9) heads out on the road for a three-game series at Connecticut before returning to Centennial Field for a three-game series against the Hudson Valley Renegades beginning on Sunday at 5:05 pm.

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7-1-2013 Rain Out

        LAKE MONSTERS RELEASE

New York-Penn League Affiliate of the Oakland Athletics

For Immediate Release - July 1, 2013          Contact: Paul Stanfield (802) 363-8586

MONDAY'S LAKE MONSTERS GAME VS. TRI-CITY RAINED OUT

Game Will Be Made Up As Part Of A Doubleheader At Centennial Field On Tuesday, July 2nd

BURLINGTON, VT --- The New York-Penn League game schedule for Monday night at historic Centennial Field between the Vermont Lake Monsters and Tri-City ValleyCats has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Tuesday, July 2nd at Centennial beginning at 6:05 pm.

This is Vermont's second straight home game to be postponed due to rain. The Lake Monsters and Lowell Spinners had their game scheduled for June 25th postponed by a heavy thunderstorm one night after Lowell beat Vermont 1-0 in a game shortened to six innings due to rain.

Fans with tickets for Monday's game can exchange that ticket at the Lake Monsters box office for a ticket to any future 2013 regular-season game at Centennial Field. 

After the doubleheader Tuesday, the Lake Monsters and ValleyCats will wrap up Vermont's quick three-game homestand with a 1:05 pm game on Wednesday. (That is weather permitting of course).

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6-30-13 Game Results

LAKE MONSTERS RELEASE

New York-Penn League Affiliate of the Oakland Athletics

VERMONT DOUBLES ITS WAY TO 13-4 VICTORY AT LOWELL ON SUNDAY

Lake Monsters 13 runs on 17 hits, including a team-record 7 doubles ... BJ Boyd 4-for-5, 2 runs, double, RBI

Boog Powell 3-for-5, triple, 3 RBI ... Most hits since August 30, 2010 ... Home Monday vs. Tri-City 7:05 pm

Boxscore

LOWELL, MA --- The Lake Monsters struggling offense broke out in a big way on Sunday afternoon as Vermont scored 13 runs on 17 hits, including a team-record seven doubles, in a 13-4 New York-Penn League victory over the Lowell Spinners at LeLecheur Park.

Vermont, which had scored just one run in each of its previous three games, scored four runs in the top of the first inning with two outs. After fouling out three straight 2-2 pitches, Jaycob Brugman grounded a single to center to score B.J. Boyd with the first run of the game. Wilfredo Solano, playing in his first game on a rehab assigment from Single-A Beloit, followed with a two-run double and Luis Baez plated Solano with another RBI double for the quick 4-0 lead.

The Lake Monsters added two more runs in the second on a Chad Pinder sacrifice fly and throwing error, then another three runs in the fourth on a couple of run-scoring throwing errors and a Boyd RBI double for a 9-0 lead. Chris Wolfe and Boog Powell had RBI singles in the seventh, while Josh Miller an RBI double and Powell an RBI triple in the ninth inning to close out the scoring barrage for Vermont.

The seven doubles broke the team record of six two-baggers, which had been done on nine different occasions previously. The 13 runs were the most for the Lake Monsters in a road win since another 13-4 win at Lowell on August 1, 2010 and the 17 hits were the most in a game for Vermont since 17 at Aberdeen on August 30, 2010.

Boyd had hits in each of his first four at bats before a strikeout and walk in his final two plate appearances Sunday. The 19-year-old fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft has now hit safely in 11 of his 13 game played and is hitting .396 (19-for-48) on the season. Powell was 3-for-5 with two runs, a triple and two RBI, while Solano and Xavier Macklin both had a pair of doubles for Vermont

Lake Monsters starter Kyle Finnegan allowed just one hit (an infield single) with a walk and strikeout over the first three innings, while Matt Stalcup (1-1) pne hit with two walks and two strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings of relief for the win. Lowell starter Mario Alcantara (2-1), who had allowed just four hits in 10 scoreless innings in his first two starts (including two hits over five innings vs. Vermont June 24th at Centennial) was roughed up Sunday for nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits in four innings to take the loss.

Vermont (5-8), which won two of five games on the roadtrip, returns home to historic Centennial Field to begin a brief three-game homestand against the Stedler Division-leading Tri-City ValleyCats on Monday beginning at 7:05 pm. The series continues Tuesday at 7:05 pm and concludes with a special 1:05 pm starton Wednesday afternoon.

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Lake Monsters 6-24-13 Game Results

LAKE MONSTERS RELEASE

New York-Penn League Affiliate of the Oakland Athletics

LOWELL WINS RAIN-SHORTENED GAME 1-0 AT VERMONT MONDAY

Spinners score only run of six-inning game in third inning on a Tzu-Wei Lin RBI infield single

Just the 5th rain-shortened game at Centennial Field in the Lake Monsters 20-year history

Lake Monsters (3-5) will wrap up 6-game homestand on Tuesday vs. Lowell at 7:05 pm

Boxscore

BURLINGTON, VT --- Mario Alcantara tossed five scoreless innings and Tzu-Wei Lin's RBI infield single accounted for the only run in a six-inning, rain-shortened 1-0 victory for the Lowell Spinners in New York-Penn League action Monday night at historic Centennial Field.

The Spinners scored the only run of the game in the third off Vermont reliever Matt Stalcup, who walked the first two batters he faced in the inning. After a sacrifice bunt from Cleuluis Rondon, Lin bounced a grounder back up the middle for the infield single that scored Nick Moore. Stalcup worked out of further trouble in the inning and also got out of a second and third with one-out jam in the fourth by striking out Moore and Williams Jerez.

But the Lake Monsters offense was unable to get anything going against Alcantara, who gave up just two hits with two walks and four strikeouts over the four scoreless innings. B.J. Boyd had a one-out double in the first and Michael Soto a one-out double in the fourth for Vermont's only two hits.

Lowell reliever Taylor Grover retired the side in order, including a pair of strikeouts, in the bottom of the sixth before the game was halted by the umpires due to a thunderstorm that hit Centennial just as the inning was ending. It was just the fifth game at Centennial Field in Lake Monsters history to be shortened by rain (or fog) and the first Vermont loss in a shortened game at home since July 23, 1996 (2-1 loss to Lowell).

Vermont and Lowell will wrap up the three-game series and the Lake Monsters six-game homestand on Tuesday starting at 7:05 pm. All fans attending Tuesday's game will receive a free 2013 Vermont Lake Monsters team photo courtesy of Catamount Color.

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Lake Monsters Press Release 6-22-2013 Game Results

8-RUN INNING LEADS TIGERS TO 8-4 WIN OVER VERMONT SATURDAY

Connecticut snapped 0-0 tie with 8 runs on 5 hits in 7th inning ... Vermont scored all 4 of its runs in 9th

Michael Soto, Tyler Marincov and Reynaldo Mateo RBI doubles in 9th ... Vermont hosts Lowell Sunday

Boxscore

BURLINGTON, VT --- The Connecticut Tigers snapped a scoreless tie with eight runs in the top of the seventh inning to pick up their first win of the season with an 8-4 victory over the Vermont Lake Monsters in New York-Penn League action Saturday evening at historic Centennial Field.

Winless in their first four games and having scored just three runs in their first 42 innings, the Tigers sent 11 batters to the plate in the seventh inning off Vermont relievers Taylor Massey and Fernand Cruzado. Massey (0-1) did not retire any of the four batters he faced, allowing a double and three walks, while Cruzado gave up a two-run double to Dominic Ficociello and a three-run homer to Duncan McAlpine that capped the eight-run inning.

Vermont had just three hits over the first eight innnings before finally putting some offense together in the bottom of the ninth with four runs on four hits off Tigers pitcher Ryan Beck. Michael Soto, Tyler Marincov and Reynaldo Mateo each had an RBI double in the inning before Andrew Harrison came on in relief of Beck to retire the final two batters of the game.

Lake Monsters starter Gregory Paulino gave up just three hits with one walk and three strikeouts over six scoreless innings in his second start of the year, while Tigers starter Alex Phillips allowed just two hits with two walks and three strikeouts over five innings for a no-decision. Reliever Zac Reininger (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings to pick up the victory.

Patrick Leyland, Javier Azcona and Ficociello each had two hits for Connecticut (1-4), while Soto and Marincov two hits apiece for Vermont (2-4). 

The Lake Monsters homestand continues with the first of a three-game series against the Lowell Spinners, the NY-Penn League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, at Centennial on Sunday beginning at 5:05 pm. It is the first of three "Hot Dog Heavens" with 25-cent hot dogs on sale all game long.

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Time to play ball!  The Vermont Lake Monsters returned to Centennial Field for the 2013 Home Opener on Thursday night.  There were plenty of changes for the Monsters fans to notice.  Everything from major renovations to the ballpark, right down to these new Champ dolls.

The first and most obvious change to most will be the new grandstand seating which has replaced the concrete General Admission section.  This also includes numbered seating so be sure to take note of where your seats are when purchasing your tickets.  I did hear one group talking about how they missed that change so when they purchased tickets at separate times, they ended up with seats in various locations.

Another exciting seating addition is the new Field Level Seating.  A new section of General Admission bleachers have been added in front of the third base grandstand seating.  These are planned to be replaced in the future with the franchise's first Box Seats.  Along side of these seats, at the end of the visitors' dugout is the pair of recliners reserved for the winners of the "Best Seats In The House" promotion.

Also, for our the baseball history enthusiasts like myself, one addition includes part of a Major League Baseball stadium.  The section of Field Level Seating directly behind home plate are seats that have been moved here from Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland (Home of the Baltimore Orioles)

As you would expect, adding seats on the same level as the field has made some considerable changes to the playing field.  Many of these are a welcome sight to the players.  A long standing issue for catchers playing at Centennial Field has been the foul territory behind home plate.  As it stood before, the distance from the plate to the wall directly behind it was equal to the distance from the plate to the pitcher.  This presented a challenge for the catchers when chasing after a wild pitch for example.  Now, the fence behind the plate has decreased the distance so that it is now on par with other ballparks.

The dugouts have also undergone upgrades in the off-season.  In years prior, the teams could not all sit in the dugout at the same time.  Thanks to the upgrades, not only is there enough room for the team, except for the pitchers who are out in the new bullpen behind the right field wall, but even the bat boys & bat girls can sit with the team instead of chairs at the end.  Champ is sure enjoying the added dance space this provides for him as well.  We'll have to see if new roof provides any sound protection for the visiting teams against the stumping of those big blue shoes.

The left fielders will also be noticing some changes.  The left field wall has been moved in closer to the plate.  There is a chance that this change is partly responsible for Special Olympics Vermont earning their first $100 of the season from the Home Runs for Charity promotion.  The first Lake Monsters hit of the 2013 home season was a 1-run homer by third-baseman Chad Pinder.

The final change to the playing field was the wall along the third base foul line. The fence has been moved closer all along there.  This has resulted in a great increase in space along the barbecue area, although the guy with the jackhammer has a little less room to work in (don't worry, the sponsor did not lose out, the billboard was just reoriented).

Seems as though all of the renovations may be working for the team.  After an unfortunate 0-3 start on the road, they came home to Centennial Field and defeated the Connecticut Tigers (Detroit Tigers affiliate) with a score of 5-1.

What do you all think of the renovations?  Please leave a comment below and let us know.  Thank you everyone.

See you at the ballpark!