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2010 Schedule Released
HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Valley Baseball League released its 2010 schedule and announced two franchise transfers as part of its regularly scheduled January meeting Monday evening.
The league will play as an 11-team, one-division loop this summer, starting with its first-ever "Opening Night" on Thursday, June 3 when New Market visits Harrisonburg.
This game will be played in the Turks brand-new facility that was built by James Madison University on the site of Veterans Memorial Park.
The top eight teams will make the playoffs again this summer.
VBL President Dave Biery also announced that Jim Critzer and David Gauldin Jr. have been approved as the new owners of the Waynesboro Generals. Critzer had owned the team from 2000-2008 before selling to Jerry Carter one year ago.
Critzer and Gauldin will run the team as a partnership with Ronnie Palmer taking over as field manager.
The Fauquier franchise, which will not play this summer, has been sold to a group headed by attorney Paul "Jay" Neal and will resume play in 2011 with Strasburg as its new home.
The team, which will play at First Bank Bank Park, has not been named as of yet but will change its colors from the blue, green and gray that Fauquier used to the same purple that Strasburg H.S. employs.
"Ownership will be held by a nonprofit corporation, Strasburg Community Baseball, Inc., with all local directors. The organization is structured such that any profits derived, which we know will be a little bit down the road, will go to the Strasburg High School baseball and softball programs, and the Strasburg Little League baseball and softball programs," Neal said.
"There has a lot of speculation on the name to be taken, and the board will welcome all suggestions, but one thing isn't open to discussion as none is needed: the team WILL wear purple. A town vote on that question would be unanimous."
Neal also stated that the group will be undertaking some upgrades at First Bank Park including a new visitors dugout, additional seating and the purchase of an infield tarp.
Finally, with Strasburg celebrating its 250th anniversary next year, the new team's home opener will be part of the town's year-long celebration.
