Niagara Power
The Niagara Power is a collegiate summer baseball team in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL).
| Niagara Power Founded in 2007 Niagara Falls, New York | |
| Minor league affiliations | |
|---|---|
| League | Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League 2021-Present |
| Division | Western Division |
Previous leagues | New York Collegiate Baseball League 2007-2015 & 2018-2020 |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | 1 (2019) NYCBL |
| Division titles | 2 (2012, 2019) NYCBL Western Division |
| Team data | |
| Mascot | Bolt |
| Ballpark | Sal Maglie Stadium |
Owner(s)/ Operator(s) | Niagara University College of Hospitality and Tourism Management |
History
Founded in 2007 by Cal Kern, the Niagara Power played a 46-game NYCBL schedule at Sal Maglie Stadium[1] for nine seasons, from 2007 through 2015.
The team was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a charitable organization which encourages community outreach among athletes.[2] The Power were noted for their service to the Niagara community.[3]
After missing the playoffs in each of its first four seasons, Niagara made playoff appearances in four of its last five seasons (2011, 2012, 2014 & 2015), taking home the Western Division Championship in 2012. Niagara lost to the eventual NYCBL champion in its last three playoff appearances of the team's first incarnation (Syracuse in 2012, Hornell in 2014 & Olean in 2015). Niagara was the only team to take at least one game against Hornell during the 2014 playoffs and a game against Olean in the 2015 playoffs.
The Power folded following the 2015 season, laying dormant for the 2016 & 2017 seasons. Headed by Niagara University's College of Hospitality & Tourism Management, the Power were revived for the 2018 season.
In the first season back, the Power made the playoffs with a 23-19 record, before losing a one-game showdown at Olean in the first round of the playoffs.
Using the early playoff exit in 2018 as motivation, the Power had a record-breaking year en route to the team's first-ever NYCBL championship.
The Power claimed the team's second Western Division crown with a 2-1 series win over the Mansfield Destroyers. Finishing the job, Niagara defeated the Cortland Crush 2-0 in the NYCBL Championship series to win the team's first NYCBL championship in its 11-year history and Niagara Falls' first non-scholastic title since the Rapids in 1993.[4]
During their championship season, the 2019 Power broke the team's single-season record for regular season wins (30) & the single-season record for overall wins (34).
The NYCBL canceled the 2020 season due to the Covid pandemic, pushing back Niagara's title defense to 2021. However, with the January 2021 announcement that Niagara would be joining the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) for the 2021 season, the team will not be afforded the opportunity to defend its title.
| Season | W-L | Playoffs? | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | --- | --- | Season canceled due to pandemic |
| 2019 | 30-11 | Yes (4-1) | Def. Mansfield 2–1 in Western Division Finals
Def. Cortland 2–0 in the NYCBL Championship Series |
| 2018 | 23-19 | Yes (0-1) | Lost to Olean 1–0 in Western Division first round |
| 2017 | --- | --- | No Team Fielded |
| 2016 | --- | --- | No Team Fielded |
| 2015 | 25–21 | Yes (3–3) | Def. Hornell 2–1 in the Western Division Semifinals Lost to Olean 2–1 in Western Division Finals |
| 2014 | 22–24 | Yes (1-2) | Lost to Hornell 2–1 in the Western Division Semifinals |
| 2013 | 13–27 | No | n/a |
| 2012 | 24–17 | Yes (4–2) | Def. Olean 2–0 in the Western Division Semifinals Def. Geneva Twins 2–0 in the Western Division Finals Lost to Syracuse Junior Chiefs 2–0 in the NYCBL Championship Series |
| 2011 | 24–20 | Yes (0–1) | Lost to Geneva in the Western Division Semifinals (single-game) |
| 2010 | 18–26 | No | n/a |
| 2009 | 11–29 | No | n/a |
| 2008 | 14–26 | No | n/a |
| 2007 | 17–25 | No | n/a |
| TOTAL | 221–245 | 12–10 | 233-255 |
References
- "Fast Facts - New York Collegiate Baseball League - NYCBL". nycbl.com.
- FCA Summer Collegiate Baseball Ministry Archived 2009-12-22 at WebCite at fcabaseball.org, URL accessed December 22, 2009. Archived 12/22/09
- Niagara Power sets sights on making the playoffs at buffalonews.com, URL accessed December 22, 2009. Archived 12/22/09
- scoreboard@gnnewspaper.com, Michael Canfield. "Niagara Power sweep Cortland to earn first title". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved 2019-07-30.