Fans in this Minor League town are hungry for ... the Spicy Meatballs?!?
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
When we last checked in with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the New York Mets’ Double-A affiliate had just released their Bathtub Donkeys alternate identity. This tribute to an archaic and perhaps apocryphal state law will be complemented on the team’s 2025 promotional calendar by another, perhaps even more absurd, alter-ego:
The Southern Tier Spicy Meatballs.
"The primary logo features a meatball portrayed as an Italian gondolier on a bed of pasta making its way through a river of sauce with a baseball bat fork," wrote the Rumble Ponies in their press release, providing a perfect example of how, in Minor League Baseball, even straightforward descriptions carry a strong whiff of the whimsical. "The secondary logo features the baseball bat fork of the meatball bat gondolier with spaghetti noodles wrapped around the utensil."
That’s what the Spicy Meatballs look like, but why do they exist in the first place?
There is a significant Italian population throughout central New York’s Southern Tier region, of which Binghamton is a part. The Rumble Ponies specifically single out nearby Endicott as an epicenter of Italian heritage; this locale, along with Binghamton and Johnson City, makes up the Southern Tier’s “Triple Cities” metropolitan area. (From 1923-68, Binghamton’s Minor League team was known as the Triplets, a reference to the Triple Cities.)
"In the early days of Endicott, N.Y., an area known as the North Side was huge with Italian roots," according to the press release. "Many of the Italian immigrants moving to the region worked at the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, Inc. However, many property owners would not sell land to Italian immigrants, so Endicott-Johnson purchased properties for their employees and along the cobblestone streets of Endicott grew the vibrant community of Little Italy..."
The Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, established in 1899, was for a time the largest manufacturer of footwear in the nation. Company president George Johnson, known for his philanthropy and generally enlightened approach to labor relations, bestowed the region with six carousels between 1919 and 1934. These carousels, still operating, inspired the Binghamton Mets to change their name from the Mets to the Rumble Ponies in 2016. A Rumble Pony, you see, is a slang for a carousel horse.
Despite the influence of the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company within the Southern Tier region, the Rumble Ponies have yet to unveil a footwear-themed alternate identity. For an example of such, one doesn’t have to leave the state of New York, or the Mets' farm system. In 2018, the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (now known as the Mets) played as the Devices, an homage to the ubiquitous Brannock Device foot measuring tool that was invented in Syracuse.
As for the Southern Tier Spicy Meatballs, the aforementioned meatball gondolier will be depicted within a uniform featuring a green, red and white color scheme (in a nod to the Italian flag). The Rumble Ponies will adopt this identity from Aug. 14-16, in conjunction with the annual bazaar staged by the nearby St. Mary of the Assumption church.
Though it remains to be seen how the Spicy Meatballs will fare on the field, their mere existence has already generated plenty of online enthusiasm. No less an entity than the State of New York was moved to weigh in, simply tweeting, "This eats."
Mangia, mangia!
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.
Monday’s Cutters Game Canceled
The Williamsport Crosscutters game scheduled for June 12 vs. West Virginia Black Bears has been canceled due to rain & field conditions. The game will not be made up. All tickets dated June 12 can be exchanged for a ticket of the same value to ANY remaining 2023 Cutters home
Cutters Collapse In Ninth
Williamsport, PA - The Cutters allowed three runs in the top of the 9th inning, surrendering their lead and the series to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 6-5. Drew Bryan looked for a solid start following the outing from Trenton Shaw on Saturday, and the right hander from Chicago didn’t disappoint.
Six-Run 4th Propels Cutters
Williamsport, PA - A six-run fourth inning and a dominant start from Trenton Shaw propelled the Cutters to a 8-6 win over the Scrappers. Trenton Shaw looked to bounce back from his previous start and he did so in strong fashion. The lefty worked five scoreless frames, striking out a
Cutters Downed In Sudden Death
Williamsport, PA - The Mahoning Valley Scrappers were able to edge the Williamsport Crosscutters in Sudden Death overtime, taking the first game of the weekend series. Tyler Kennedy took the start for the Cutters, his 2nd of the season, looking to build upon his last outing on Opening Night. The
Late Offense Leads Cutters To Second Straight Win
Granville, WV - The Williamsport Crosscutters offense showed up again Thursday night as they scored an even dozen, defeating the West Virginia Black Bears 12-7. The bottom of the order provided a lot as they were able to bring home 10 of the 12 runs. After falling behind 4-0 early,
Lumber Comes To Life; Cutters Dominate In First Win
Granville, WV - It took seven days to do it, but the Williamsport Crosscutters used 16 hits to find the win column for the first time as they take the middle game of this three-game series against the West Virginia Black Bears 13-1. After a scoreless two innings to begin
Cutters Fall To Black Bears In Series Opener
Granville, WV – The Williamsport Crosscutters continue to look for their first win of the 2023 MLB Draft League season as the West Virginia Black Bears rally in the eight inning to defeat Williamsport 6-5 in the opening matchup of this three-game series. The Cutters were the first to find
Chumley Homers; Cutters Can’t Avoid Sweep
Williamsport, PA - Reed Chumley’s two-run home run wasn’t enough as the Cutters fell 9-5 in the series finale to the Spikes, securing the sweep for State College. Drew Bryan was the first Cutters starter to complete three innings. Bryan allowed two runs on three hits and a walk, striking
Cutters Drop Third Straight To Spikes
University Park, PA - The Williamsport Crosscutters allowed 10 combined runs in the third and fourth innings, falling 12-5 to the State College Spikes in Game #3 of the opening four-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Williamsport took the early 1-0 lead over State College thanks to a
Cutters Fall For Second Straight Night
Final Score State College 6 Williamsport 2 University Park, PA – The Cutters allow 6 runs in the third and fourth inning and fall to the State College Spikes 6-2 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Cutters were able to take initial lead of the ballgame in the top
Cutters Walk Ten In Loss
Williamsport, PA - Five Crosscutters pitchers combined to walk 10 Spikes batters as Williamsport fell 4-0 to State College on Opening Night. Tyler Kennedy got the start for the Crosscutters, and allowed just one run (earned) over two and a third innings. The right-hander allowed a pair of hits and
Fans Invited to FREE Meet the Cutters Event May 31
The Williamsport Crosscutters will be holding a “Meet the Cutters” reception, Wednesday, May 31 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Muncy Bank Ballpark. The event is sponsored by Country Store Brand Meats and Pepsi. Admission is free for all fans. Cutters manager Jesse Litsch and the entire squad of Williamsport Crosscutters players and
Cutters Opening Night & Single Game Tickets on Sale Now
Opening night and single game tickets for all 2023 Williamsport Crosscutters home games go on sale Monday, May 1 at 10am. Ticket prices for all games start at $8. The Cutters 25th Anniversary Season, presented by UPMC, opens on Thursday, June 1 when Williamsport hosts the rival State College Spikes.
Cutters Announce Promotional Schedule for 25th Season
The Williamsport Crosscutters have released their promotional schedule for the 2023 season presented by UPMC. The season opens Thursday, June 1 when the Cutters host the State College Spikes. Game times remain unchanged from last season with all Monday-Saturday games starting at 6:35pm. Sunday’s feature a 4:05pm first pitch. The
Potato Capers Identity Returns Every Friday in 2023
The Williamsport Crosscutters have announced that they will rebrand as the Potato Capers for every Friday home game as part of their 2023 season that begins on June 1. The team introduced the Potato Capers brand in 2022 to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Dave Bresnahan’s infamous hidden ball trick.
Cutters Honoring Military During 2023 Season
The Williamsport Crosscutters will once again honor active and retired military during the 2023 season. The program, Military Salute, is presented by EQT and honors an active or retired member of the armed forces in pregame ceremonies at every Cutters home game. Cutters Vice President of Marketing Gabe Sinicropi stated,
Annual Cutters 5K Race Set for June 24
The Williamsport Crosscutters, in partnership with Hope Enterprises, will be holding the Annual Cutters 5K on Saturday, June 24 at Muncy Bank Ballpark. The race is sponsored in part by; Bower Electric, Hamilton Patriot, Highmark, Horizon FCU, iHeart Media, Lamar, Muncy Bank & Trust, UPMC Health Plan, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, &
Charitable Tuesdays Return in 2023
Again, this season, the Williamsport Crosscutters will present Charitable Tuesdays. The program, presented by Pennsylvania Skill by Miele Manufacturing, gives local non-profit organizations a no-cost opportunity to have a presence at Muncy Bank Ballpark for the purpose of educating fans about their organization. Organizations will be chosen to be featured
Cutters Coaching Staff Announced
Major League Baseball and the Williamsport Crosscutters have announced the coaching staff that will join second year manager Jesse Litsch in the dugout in 2023. Returning to the staff as hitting coach will be Ron Perodin. In 2022 he served as outfield and base running coach for Williamsport. Perodin currently
Cutters Seeking Anthem Performers
The Williamsport Crosscutters are now accepting applications for National Anthem performers for the upcoming 2023 season. All individuals and groups who are interested in being considered are asked to fill out the short application available by CLICKING HERE. Applicants are also required to provide a link or file of them
Cutters Membership Clubs Return in 2023!
The Williamsport Crosscutters have announced that memberships in the popular Boomer’s Kids Club and Sr. Loggers Club are now available for the 2023 season. Membership in Boomer’s Kids Club, for kids age 12 and under, is FREE and presented by Lycoming Candy. Membership includes: - A free ticket voucher for
Be Part of the Crosscutters Host Family Program
The Williamsport Crosscutters Host Family Program is currently accepting applications for potential host families for the 2023 season. While many host families return year after year, the club is always looking to add to their list of availabilities for the players. “Host families play a crucial role in helping our
Litsch Returns to the Cutters Dugout in ‘23
Major League Baseball and the Williamsport Crosscutters have announced that former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Litsch will return for a second season as manager of the squad. He is the 15th manager in club history and becomes the 6th to lead the club for two or more seasons. In
Cutters Hot Stove Banquet Raises over $9,000 for Sojourner Truth Ministries
The Williamsport Crosscutters 15th Hot Stove Banquet was held January 24 at the Genetti Hotel in downtown Williamsport. The event featured former Pirates and Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, who also managed the Williamsport Bills in 1991, and Hall of Fame ESPN Baseball Analyst Tim Kurkjian along with Lycoming College head
Cutters Director of Smiles to Join the Bowman Field Hall of Fame!
The Williamsport Crosscutters popular Director of Smiles, Rhashan West-Bey has been announced as the latest inductee to the Bowman Field Hall of Fame. The induction will take place at the Williamsport Crosscutters Hot Stove Banquet on Tuesday, January 24th in the Grand Ballroom of the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport. The