Can-Am League, Frontier League, square off in Big Apple midseason classic, Freedom well represented

There is more than one professional baseball All-Star Game taking place this week.

The Frontier League of Professional Baseball will square off against the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball (Can-Am League), on Wednesday.

The 2019 All-Star Game, will take place in Rockland County, New York at Palisades Credit Union Park, home of the Rockland Boulders of the Can Am League.

In a collaborative effort, members of the Frontier and Can-Am Leagues worked together this offseason to make the event possible.

Can-Am Executive Director Kevin Winn acted as a critical part in the process.

“The Can-Am League couldn’t be prouder that we are hosting the Frontier League in the 2019 All Star Game,” Winn said. “They bring 27 years of tradition with them as the oldest continuously operating independent league. I want to thank Commissioner Bill Lee, President Rich Sauget, all the owners, executives, coaching staff and players. Two Premier Leagues facing off in a Premier Ballpark.”

Bill Lee is in his 26thseason as Frontier League Commissioner. Lee will oversee a cross-league All-Star Game for the first time in independent history.

“We are extremely pleased and excited to be playing the Can-Am League All-Stars,” Lee said. “Everyone is looking forward to coming to the New York area. This is an unprecedented game for our League. We want to thank all of the owners, teams and Executive Director Kevin Winn for making this possible. Above all, we want to thank Shawn Reilly and the entire Rockland Boulders staff for their hard work.”

Pelfrey

The Frontier League includes the Florence Freedom and the Northern Kentucky team will be well-represented at the mid-season classic.

Managing the Frontier League All-Star team will be the Freedom’s Dennis Pelfrey.

Pelfrey also managed the 2017 Frontier League All-Star Game. His staff will feature Freedom hitting coach Drew Martinez and Freedom bench coach Mike Morris.

“It’s truly an honor to represent the Frontier League in the All-Star Game and even more so with our All-Stars playing against another league’s All-Star team,” Pelfrey said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to showcase our best players so we can elevate the already positive reputation of our league.”

The game will be played between representatives of the Frontier and Can-Am Leagues for the first time in history.

“I believe this dynamic of an All-Star Game between two leagues can really provide opportunities and information for future players when choosing to play independent baseball,” Pelfrey said. “This All-Star game will show the competition level of both leagues and exactly what independent baseball is about. The electricity in the ballpark that night is going to be something you shouldn’t miss.”

Pelfrey will work with a number of familiar faces, as a League-leading six Freedom are recognized as Frontier League All-Stars. The Evansville Otters and Southern Illinois Miners are second with four, the River City Rascals have three, while the Schaumburg Boomers, Washington Wild Things, Joliet Slammers and Gateway Grizzlies have two. The Windy City ThunderBolts and Lake Erie Crushers have one representative, respectively.