Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

History

Charles County initiated efforts to bring affiliated professional baseball, in the form of a relocated Class A Kinston Indians team, to the Southern Maryland region in 1985, but those plans fell through. The progress made on the ballpark was reversed after Charles County commissioners voted against its financial support, instead deciding to funnel money to infrastructure projects. There were also concerns about marketability of the baseball team in a then-largely rural area. However, Southern Maryland's population boomed soon after as the suburban expansion of Washington, D.C. encompassed the region.

In 2004, the town of Hughesville was targeted by Opening Day Partners to be the home of its Southern Maryland franchise, but the town's residents voted against the measure to retain the area's rural nature. After Hughesville residents denied the ballpark, all focus was shifted to Waldorf, a bedroom community of Washington, D.C. The Atlantic League formally announced an expansion team for Southern Maryland on February 15, 2006. The Blue Crabs were originally supposed to be an expansion team for the 2007 season, but the construction bids for Regency Furniture Stadium came in over budget. Instead, the Blue Crabs' inaugural season was pushed back to 2008. The team name was chosen in a name-the-team contest in Southern Maryland with six finalists to choose from: Blue Crabs, Blue Herons, Aviators, Rock Fish, Ospreys, and Eagles. Fans were able to vote online, through the mail, or at participating Southern Maryland-area Arby's Restaurants.

Initially, there was some concern about how the Blue Crabs would impact the attendance of the nearby Double-A Bowie Baysox, a Baltimore Orioles affiliate that plays approximately 32 mi away. The Baysox anticipated a small attendance drop initially, but did not worry about the issue in the long term.

The Blue Crabs were owned by Opening Day Partners and Brooks Robinson, a former third baseman with the Baltimore Orioles from 1955 to 1977. Robinson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983. In November 2016, the team was sold to a new ownership group, Crabs On Deck, LLC, headed by Frank Boulton, the founder and CEO of the Atlantic League and owner of the Long Island Ducks and Bridgeport Bluefish.

The Blue Crabs were the runner-up in the 2009 Atlantic League Championship Series versus the Somerset Patriots. They again finished runner-up in the 2015 Atlantic League Championship Series versus Somerset.

On July 13, 2019, Blue Crabs outfielder Tony Thomas became the first player in professional baseball history to steal first base. Atlantic League/MLB rule changes introduced in 2019 allow batters to steal first base on any pitch not caught in flight.

On October 19, 2023, with the announcement of the 2024 season schedule it was announced that the Blue Crabs would now be members of the South Division with the expansion Hagerstown Flying Boxcars joining the North Division.

Logos and uniforms

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs official colors are navy blue, light blue, red, tan, and white. The primary logo depicts a navy blue crab outlined and detailed in tan. The crab has red pincers and eyes, with a scowl of determination. Centered above the crab is the "Blue Crabs" wordmark in white with the words "Southern Maryland" centered above in red with light blue and red ribbon-like lines underline the wordmark. The entire logo is outlined in tan.

The home caps are white with navy blue and light blue trim, charged with the cap logo featuring a "B" interlocking with a C-shaped crab pincer. The away caps are navy blue throughout, also charged with the interlocking "BC" cap logo. The home jerseys are white with the "Crabs" wordmark centered across the chest in navy blue with light blue outline. The away jersey is gray with the "Southern Maryland" wordmark in light blue and navy blue outline. The team wears navy blue alternate jerseys with the "Blue Crabs" wordmark centered across the chest in white. The Blue Crabs' batting practice cap is navy blue with the crab cap logo.

Season-by-season records

The Blue Crabs tied for first place in the Liberty Division for the second half of 2009. They also won a first-round playoff series against the Long Island Ducks, 3–2, on September 29, 2009. However, they lost the championship to the Somerset Patriots.

Philanthropy

The Blue Crabs hold a series of charity events that benefit such organizations as the Southern Maryland Food Bank, The Salvation Army, Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, Soldier's Angels, Orioles Advocates, and the American Red Cross. Other events such as the Red Cross blood drive and Prostate Cancer Awareness Night are held at Regency Furniture Stadium to promote health and wellness. On the team's final game of the 2008 season, the Blue Crabs raised $8,139 for the College of Southern Maryland as part of the institution's 50th anniversary. Prior to the 2009 season, the team partnered with the Charles County Hospice House to allow the non-profit charity to take advantage of theme nights for fundraising opportunities.

Mascot

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs' official mascot is an anthropomorphic, blue creature named Pinch. He wears a Blue Crabs home jersey with red and white sneakers. The mascot debuted on April 19, 2008, at the Charles County Youth League's opening day parade held at Laurel Springs Park in La Plata. Pinch's name alludes to the pincer of a crab. He resides at Crabby Cove, an artificial pond designed for recreational use at Regency Furniture Stadium.

Current roster

(pitching) (hitting) |Two-Way=}}

Retired numbers

; 42 (Jackie Robinson): 2B, Retired throughout professional baseball on April 15, 1997

References

References

1. "Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Official Colors (1998 through present)".
2. (September 23, 2020). "Indy Atlantic League designated MLB Partner League". August Publishing.
3. (September 24, 2020). "American Association, Frontier League now MLB Partner Leagues". August Publishing.
4. "Blue Crabs will represent St. Mary's, Charles, and Calvert Counties". Southern Maryland Baseball.
5. (May 8, 2006). "Official Name for Southern Maryland's New Minor League Baseball Team Chosen". Southern Maryland Online.
6. "Blue Crab, Maryland State Crustacean". Maryland State Archives.
7. (June 23, 2008). "These Crabs haven't caught on - Sports". [[LNP (newspaper).
8. Partlow, Joshua. (September 9, 2004). "Ballpark Opponents Speak Out At Meeting". [[The Washington Post]].
9. Goldenbach, Alan. (February 17, 2006). "Minor League Team Is Coming to Charles County". [[The Washington Post]].
10. (February 15, 2006). "Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Approves Minor League Team for Southern Maryland". Southern Maryland Baseball.
11. Seip, Jim. (July 14, 2006). "Next up: Construction bids". [[York Daily Record]].
12. Sohr, Nicholas. (April 21, 2006). "On Deck in Waldorf: Minor League Baseball". [[Philip Merrill College of Journalism.
13. Mearns, Andrew. (July 14, 2019). "Bask in the glory of the first ever "steal of first" in organized baseball". Major League Baseball.
14. "Atlantic League announces 2024 schedule".
15. (August 14, 2008). "Crazy 8's Night jerseys benefit relief organizations". Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
16. (December 11, 2008). "Crabs raise money for the College of Southern Maryland". Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
17. (December 4, 2008). "Crabs partner with the Charles County Hospice House". Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
18. "Pinch". Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.