Tidewater Shrine to Induct Three in 2024 Class
The Norfolk Tides today announced that Marty Miller, Christy Mathewson and Marvin Astor “Towny” Townsend are being inducted into the Tidewater Baseball Shrine. The Tidewater Baseball Shrine recognizes players and executives who have significantly contributed to the game of baseball in the Tidewater area. The Tides will induct the three
The Norfolk Tides today announced that Marty Miller, Christy Mathewson and Marvin Astor “Towny” Townsend are being inducted into the Tidewater Baseball Shrine. The Tidewater Baseball Shrine recognizes players and executives who have significantly contributed to the game of baseball in the Tidewater area. The Tides will induct the three new members between their doubleheader vs. Jacksonville on Friday, July 26th at Harbor Park. Miller is expected to be in attendance, while Townsend’s family will accept his award for him.
MARTY MILLER joined the Norfolk State community as a student athlete and became a staple within the Spartan community with a career that has spanned nearly 50 years. As a player, Miller was the First Spartan baseball player to become an NCAA College Division All-American. He posted a .380 batting average as a sophomore, .438 batting average as a junior and .406 batting average as a senior and was an All-CIAA baseball selection in 1967 and 1968. He also led the nation in doubles as a senior in 1968. Following graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army during the Vietnam War. Miller was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas and specialized in air defense artillery. He served for nearly two years before he signed a professional contract with the Minnesota Twins during the 1970-71 season. Miller was named the head baseball coach at Norfolk State in 1973 and held the role until 2005, when he was promoted to Director of Intercollegiate Athletics for the Spartans. While coaching, Miller led Norfolk State to 712 wins in his 32-plus year career and is the winningest coach in program history.
CHRISTY MATHEWSON attended Bucknell University and played on the school’s baseball and football teams. He signed his first pro baseball contract in 1899 – a rarity for a college-educated player in that era. Following his first professional season with the Taunton Herrings, Phenomenal Smith recruited Mathewson to the Norfolk Phenoms, after he finished playing football at Bucknell University. Smith first met and played against Matthewson in the 1899 season. Seeing his potential at the age of 19, Smith signed Matthewson to a contract in 1900 to play for Norfolk. With Norfolk and Smith, Mathewson greatly improved as a pitcher. He posted an 18–2 season, leading the league in wins and strikeouts (121). Following the Phenoms folding in the 1900 season, Mathewson was called up to the major leagues by the New York Giants. He went on to play 17 seasons in the Majors, finishing with 373 wins against just 188 losses – a figure that leaves him tied with Grover Cleveland Alexander for the most wins in National League history and third-most all-time.
TOWNY TOWNSEND was a two-time All-Conference performer at College of Albemarle in Elizabeth City, NC, where he captained the nationally ranked teams in 1972 and 1973. During his two years of junior college, he was drafted in the second round by the California Angels and again after his second year in the first round of the secondary phase by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He opted to attend Campbell University, where he led them in his junior year to the most wins in school history. In his junior season of 1974, Townsend was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the secondary phase and played briefly in their minor league system before returning to Norfolk to start his coaching career that covered over 30 years. Townsend founded the first baseball camps in the state of Virginia in 1977 and ran camps every year for 30 years. Referred to as the founding father of AAU baseball in Virginia, he founded the Virginia Blaster baseball club in 1992 for ages 10-15. Towny became the youngest head coach in college baseball at Virginia Wesleyan in 1977-78, leading the Marlins to conference titles in his first two years. In addition, Townsend coached at his alma mater, Lake Taylor, where he turned around a program that was 3-48 the previous three years, leading them to 101-39 over eight seasons. In 2000, he became the head coach at Greenbrier Christian Academy where he was named TCIS conference coach of the year twice and captured four straight league titles. In 2001, Greenbrier Christian won the state championship, and he was selected Virginia Coach of the Year for private schools.
Ticket Information
Single game tickets start at $16 for Reserved Seats, with Box Seats available for $17. The Tides also offer special discounts to students through high school, active military with ID and senior citizens (60 & over). These special discounts are available in the Lower and Upper Reserved sections and can be purchased for $14. Children under two years old are admitted free of charge. Fans can purchase individual game tickets on norfolktides.com. Fans can also purchase 2024 ticketing plans, including season tickets, by reaching 757-622-2222. Fans should follow the Tides on social media and at norfolktides.com for the most up-to-date information.
Tides to Play as Caballitos Del Mar as Part of MiLB's Copa de la Diversión
As part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión initiative celebrating Hispanic heritage, the Norfolk Tides today announce their new identity as the “Caballitos Del Mar de Norfolk” for three home games during the 2025 season. The Caballitos del Mar de Norfolk was developed locally in partnership with the
City of Norfolk Offers Parking, Free Public Transit for Tides Fans
In conjunction with the City of Norfolk and Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), the Norfolk Tides today announce the parking strategy and free public transit options available to Tides fans for the 2025 season. With limited parking available due to casino construction, fans are encouraged to take FREE Hampton Roads Transit’s
2025 Spring Training Recap: Week 3
Orioles Walk Off Yankees in Spring Breakout LEANDRO ARIAS (No. 20 prospect) delivered a walk-off RBI single to plate AUSTIN OVERN (No. 29 prospect) in the bottom of the ninth inning of Saturday’s Spring Breakout game to defeat the New York Yankees Prospects 5 - 4. Arias’ game winner was
2025 Spring Training Recap: Week 2
Machín The Machine VIMAEL MACHÍN Entering today, is tied-for-fifth in the Grapefruit League in hits and leads the Orioles with 10 base knocks. Making it to Spring Training as a Non-Roster Invite, Machín is slashing .455 (10-for-22)/.500/.636/1.136 with a double, a home run, and five RBI in 12 games. Among
2025 Spring Training Recap: Week 1
Prospects Popping Off SAMUEL BASALLO Orioles top prospect and No. 13 prospect in the league by MLB.com is coming out the gates hot in Spring Training. Basallo is batting .429 (3-for-7) in five games, with a monster home run and two RBI. His solo shot in the seventh inning on
Black Baseball Teams in Tidewater: A Timeline
Below is a condensed timeline of Black baseball teams in the Tidewater region, starting with the Norfolk Red Stockings in the late 1800s to the Tides in 2025. Most information comes from Baseball in Norfolk, Virginia, written by Clay Shampoe and Thomas R. Garrett; especially chapter seven's "Black Baseball in
Tides Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
The Norfolk Tides today announced the 2025 promotional schedule. Individual game tickets are currently on sale online at NorfolkTides.com or TicketMaster.com. On Monday, March 3 at 10 am, fans will be able to purchase tickets in person at the Harbor Park Box Office. The 2025 promotional schedule features fourteen postgame
Harbor Park Extends Protective Netting to Each Foul Pole
The Norfolk Tides and Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) today announced the completed renovation of extending protective netting to each foul pole. The nets previously ended at the end of each teams’ dugouts, and are now stretching from foul pole to foul pole, excluding the outfield. The height of the net
Tides Coaching Staff Announced for 2025 Season
The Norfolk Tides and Baltimore Orioles today announced Norfolk’s field staff for the 2025 season. Tim Federowicz is named manager, becoming the 29th manager in Triple-A franchise history. He follows Buck Britton, who managed the Tides from 2022 to 2024 prior to being hired to Baltimore’s Major League staff. Federowicz
Britton Added to Orioles 2025 Coaching Staff
The Baltimore Orioles today announced their coaching staff for the 2025 season. Among the 13 staff members listed, former Tides manager Buck Britton was promoted to Baltimore as Major League Coach. BUCK BRITTON, 38, completed his third year managing Norfolk in 2024 and his 15th season in the Orioles organization
Tides Announce 2025 Home Game Times
The Norfolk Tides today announced their home game start times for the 2025 game schedule. The 2025 International League campaign is slated to begin on Friday, March 28th with the Tides hosting the Durham Bulls. It will be the second straight season the Tides will host the Bulls in March
A Look Back At the Tides 2024 Season
Season In Review: The Tides finished the 2024 campaign with a 69-81 regular season record. That placed them ninth in the International League East Division and 17th overall in the league. In the split season, Norfolk went 36-39 in the First Half and 33-42 in the Second Half. The Tides
Five Tides Named League All-Stars as Mayo Earns Top MLB Prospect
Minor League Baseball today announced the league awards and All-Star teams for the two leagues that make up the Triple-A classification. Votes were cast by league managers, and final decisions were determined by the Commissioner’s Office. Coby Mayo was named International League Top MLB Prospect and was named an All-Star
Tides Fall to Nashville in Final Game of Season
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (69-81, 32-43) fell to the Nashville Sounds (78-68, 41-30), 12-3, on Sunday at Harbor Park. It was the final game of the 2024 season for the Tides, winning their final series, 4-2. It was all Nashville during game 150 for the Tides. They would
Norfolk Drops Final Night Game of Season
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (69-80, 32-42) fell to the Nashville Sounds (77-68, 40-30), 6-1, on Saturday night at Harbor Park. It was the final night game of the season for the Tides, with tomorrow marking the final game of the 2024 campaign. The lone run from the Tides
Urías Homers as Tides Snap Winning Streak
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (69-79, 32-41) fell to the Nashville Sounds (76-68, 39-30), 5-3, on Friday night at Harbor Park. The loss snapped the Tides seven game winning streak. Norfolk scored right off the bat in the first. Jordan Westburg led off with a double and scored on
Beavers Leads Tides to Seventh Straight Win
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (69-79, 32-40) defeated the Nashville Sounds (76-67, 38-30), 8-4, on Thursday at Harbor Park. The win was Norfolk seventh straight victory. Norfolk scored first on back-to-back doubles by Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers in the third inning. Nashville responded with two runs in the
Tides Sweep Doubleheader With Two Walk-Off Wins
NORFOLK, Va --- The Norfolk Tides (67-79, 31-40) swept the Nashville Sounds (76-66, 38-29) in a doubleheader on Wednesday night at Harbor Park. They took game one, 2-1, then game two, 8-7 in eight innings. In game one, neither team scored until the sixth inning. Chayce McDermott made the start
Westburg, Urías Begin MLB Rehab with Norfolk
In conjunction with the Baltimore Orioles, the Norfolk Tides today announced that Jordan Westburg and Ramón Urías are joining the Tides on a Major League Rehab Assignment on Thursday, September 19. Westburg has not played for the Orioles since July 31, while Urías has been out since August 31. On
Tuesday Night's Game vs. Nashville Postponed
Tuesday night's game vs. the Nashville Sounds has been postponed due to inclement weather. It will be made up as part of a single admission doubleheader tomorrow, September 18. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:35 p.m., with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. Fans may exchange their September
Tides Take Season Series vs. Bulls in Fourth Straight Win
DURHAM, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (66-78, 30-39) defeated the Durham Bulls (70-74, 34-35), 4-2 on Sunday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. It was the Tides' fourth straight victory and wins them the season series versus the Bulls, 11-10. The low scoring series continued into the series finale, but the
Norfolk Wins Second Straight Extra Innings Game
DURHAM, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (65-78, 29-39) defeated the Durham Bulls (70-73, 34-34), 2-1, in 11 innings on Saturday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The win was their third straight and brings the season series against the Bulls to 10-10. Tomorrow’s game at 1:05 p.m. will decide which
Basallo Knocks Game Winner in Extras
DURHAM, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (64-78, 28-39) defeated the Durham Bulls (70-72, 34-33), 3-2, in 10 innings on Friday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The win was their second straight and brings the season series against the Bulls at 9-10. Brandon Young led the Tides as the starting
Rogers Strong Start Leads Tides to Victory
DURHAM, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (63-78, 27-39) defeated the Durham Bulls (70-71, 34-32), 2-1, on Thursday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The win snapped a three-game losing streak and brings the season series record against the Bulls at 8-10. In a game where neither team scored until the
Bowens Homers In Series Opening Loss at Durham
DURHAM, NC --- The Norfolk Tides (62-77, 26-38) fell to the Durham Bulls (69-70, 33-31), 8-1, on Tuesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Norfolk scored their only run of the game in the second inning when TT Bowens launched his 3rd Triple-A home run this season. The Tides would