Danville Otterbots
| Danville Otterbots | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| League | Appalachian League |
| Location | Danville, Virginia |
| Ballpark | American Legion Field |
| Founded | 2021 |
| League championships | 1 (2024) |
| Division championships | 1 (2024) |
| Colors | Blue, black, orange, gray, white |
| Retired numbers | 34 (Wendell Scott) 42 (Jackie Robinson)[1] |
| Ownership | Ryan Keur |
| Manager | Desi Relaford |
| General Manager | Austin Scher |
| Website | Official website |
The Danville Otterbots are a summer collegiate baseball team of the Appalachian League. They are located in Danville, Virginia, and play their home games at American Legion Field.
History
[edit]Previous Danville teams
[edit]From 1993 to 2020, Danville, Virginia, hosted the Danville Braves. On September 3, 2006, Danville won their first Appalachian League championship, defeating the Elizabethton Twins, two games to one, in a best-of-three series. On September 3, 2009, the Braves won their second Appalachian League championship, again defeating Elizabethton, this time two games to zero.
Collegiate summer team
[edit]In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball beginning with the 2021 season, the Appalachian League was reorganized as a collegiate summer baseball league, and the Danville Braves were replaced by a new franchise in the revamped league designed for rising college freshmen and sophomores.[2] The new team became known as the Danville Otterbots.[3]
Ballpark sensory room
[edit]In April 2022, the Otterbots held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Luca's Place, their Ballpark Sensory Room.[4] They became the first team in Appalachian League history to have a sensory room inside their gates, joining less than 15 other ballparks across the country with such a feature.
Awards and recognition
[edit]Following the Otterbots' inaugural season, they were named Danville's Favorite Family Fun Spot by Showcase Magazine readers.[5] Following the 2022 season, General Manager Austin Scher was named Appalachian League Executive of the Year.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Weiss, Elias. "Otterbots retire No. 34 to honor legacy of Wendell Scott".
- ^ "MLB, USA Baseball Announce New Format for Appalachian League". Major League Baseball. September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- ^ McClung, Andrew (March 16, 2021). "Danville baseball team introduces new name". wdbj7. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
- ^ Thomas, Pat. "Danville Otterbots open ballpark sensory room, expand inclusivity".
- ^ "Showcase Magazine February 2022".
- ^ "Austin Scher named Appalachian League Executive of the Year". Appalachian League.
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