Catskill Cougars
Independent league team from the Catskills, part-owned by Bill Murray.
The Catskill Cougars were a minor-league baseball team based in Mountaindale, New York, in the Catskill Mountains region. They played in the North Atlantic League in 1996 and the Northeast League (later the Can-Am League), from 1997–1998, and in the Northern League in 2000. The team was part-owned by comedian Bill Murray and played at Baxter Stadium.
Quick Facts
- City
- Mountaindale, New York
- Ballpark
- Baxter Stadium
- Class level
- Independent (1995–2000)
- League
- Northern League (2000)
- Northeast League (1997–98)
- North Atlantic League (1996)
- Nickname
- Catskill Cougars (1995–2000)
Facts from the source article.
North Atlantic League
The Cougars debuted in 1996 in the North Atlantic League, replacing the departed Sullivan Mountain Lions. They had the league's second-best offense but also the second-worst pitching staff, and were outscored overall. Several default wins against the bankrupt Nashua Hawks helped them to a 43–35 record, second place, and a spot in the championship series. They swept the Massachusetts Mad Dogs in two games to win the title, becoming the first Sullivan County pro baseball team to do so. Attendance averaged 1,075 per game, third in the six-team league. Former major-leaguers Wally Backman and Gates Brown managed the team. The North Atlantic League folded after the season.
Northeast League
In 1997 the Cougars joined an eight-team Northeast League and finished last at 21–62, ranking last in most offensive, pitching, and defensive categories. Attendance averaged 925 per game. The roster included former major-leaguers Vance Lovelace, Kerwin Moore, and Matt Murray. Attendance rose to about 1,000 per game, while other league teams averaged around 2,300. The Cougars suspended operations after the 1998 season.
Northern League - East
After a year off, the Cougars returned in 2000 to fill a vacancy in the Northern League–East created by the folding of the Massachusetts Mad Dogs. New owner Van Schley spent $150,000 renovating Baxter Field. The team finished seventh at 38–47, and attendance dropped to a league-low average of 645 per game. Schley estimated losses of about $500,000 for the season. The team required 250 pre-sold season tickets to continue in 2001, did not meet that mark, and ceased operations. Baxter Field was demolished in 2007 and replaced by a housing development.
More in Defunct Independent Baseball League Teams
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