Two independent leagues will square off in an All-Star Game in 2019, as plans have been announced for the first Can-Am League/Frontier League All-Star Game. The contest will take place at Palisades Credit Union Park, home of the Rockland Boulders (Can-Am League), on Wednesday, July 10.
This will mark the first time that these two independent professional leagues will face each other, and only the third time a Can-Am organization has hosted an All-Star game since the league’s re-formation in 2005.
Festivities will begin with a home run derby on Tuesday, July 9, with the game the following evening. “We consider this a great holiday gift to our fans,” stated Boulders president Shawn Reilly. “It’s a rare opportunity and we’re very appreciative of the Frontier League and Good Samaritan Hospital making it possible. Many of the best independent pro baseball players in the country will be in our park, and we look forward to putting on a first-class event worthy of that talent.”
“Everyone in the Frontier League is excited to play the Can-Am League in the All-Star Game this year,” noted Frontier League commissioner Bill Lee. “We are also excited to come to Rockland and the New York market. We want to thank the Boulders organization for hosting this event. It will be tremendous for the fans to see the best players of two of the oldest and most established independent leagues in the country showcase their talents. We also believe it is great for the entire independent professional baseball industry that leagues can work together.”
The Frontier League consists of 10 teams from cities in Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Missouri. Formed in 1993, the circuit had 23 player contracts purchased by Major League Baseball organizations last season. Its list of players to appear in the majors includes former Boulder Stephen Cardullo, who was with the Florence Freedom in 2012 before spending three seasons in Rockland en route to a stint with the Colorado Rockies.
“The Can-Am League is pleased to take on the Frontier League in the 2019 All Star Game. For 25 years, the Frontier League has consistently been a formidable force on the independent baseball scene,” added Can-Am League Managing Director Kevin Winn. “I want to thank Frontier League commissioner Bill Lee and Rockland Boulders president Shawn Reilly for putting this event together. I can think of no better venue than Palisades Credit Union Ballpark to host this historic event.”
Now entering its 15th season, the Can-Am League features six clubs in the Northeast U.S. and Canada and plays a 95-game regular season between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 17 league alumni have reached the majors, 15 as players and two as umpires.
The Boulders partnered with Skye Design Studios to develop the 2019 All-Star identity.