Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige once said, “You win a few, you lose a few. Some get rained out. But you get to dress for all of them.” Paige’s statement succinctly describes the Williamsport Crosscutters 2024 season.
After outdistancing the MLB Draft League field and winning the league’s first-half championship, the Crosscutters fell in disarray during the season’s second half, enduring several long losing streaks to finish in the league’s basement. However, under MLB Draft League rules, the team will be playing for the overall 2024 championship when they host the second-half winner Thursday Night at Bowman Field in a one-game winner-take-all showdown.
“We are excited to be able to play for and host the MLB Draft League championship game after our first-half win,” stated Gabe Sinicropi, the team’s director of marketing and public relations. “Thursday night, we will have a rally towel giveaway for the first 1,200 fans, post-game fireworks, and nine innings of a championship game for the fans to enjoy. We want to thank Webb Weekly and our other game sponsors, UPMC, Antler’s on the Water, and Backyard Broadcasting, for their support of the championship game.”
Since becoming an MLB Draft League member in 2021, this is the second time the Crosscutters will appear in the championship game. The team won the second-half title in 2022 but fell to the West Virginia Black Bears in the championship showdown. The Black Bears have won the last two league titles after Trenton claimed the first league championship in 2021.
“A limited number of tickets remain available for Thursday night’s game, but fans are encouraged to buy them in advance,” Sinicropi added. “There are free ticket vouchers in this week’s Webb Weekly, courtesy of the game sponsors. The vouchers can be exchanged for game tickets at our ticket window.
“It was an incredible first half and an incredibly tough second half. We wish we could have played better in the second half to at least compete for the second-half title. The way the MLB rules are put together, the second-half champ certainly has the advantage because that is the team that played together and won the second half. It is what it is.
“Certainly, it has been a difficult second half, especially since things were so great in the first half. It has been just the opposite. All of that said, to win the championship, all we need to do is win one game. From our standpoint, none of the games in the second half matter — Thursday night, it’s winner take all!”
While Draft League rosters differ greatly from one half to the other, the Crosscutters have nine players who appeared in first-half games. Among them is local product Jacob Corson.
During the highs and lows of the season, Corson has given fans plenty to cheer about. Now living in Muncy, Corson played for Hughesville during his high school days. The right fielder leads the team, batting .313 with a .927 OPS, earning Sinicropi’s praise.
“It’s been pretty cool to have a local kid on our team and performing so well. He has been great for us in both halves. I’m not sure he expected to do as well as he has, but he has been consistent all year. When he first joined us, he was kind of a fill-in, fulfilling a quick need. We didn’t know how long he may even be around. He’s been one of, if not the most consistent player we’ve had. Jacob has been excellent, both offensively and defensively.”
Despite losing a half-dozen home dates canceled by the weather (games that MLB Draft League does not makeup), Crosscutter attendance has seen an uptick.
“Our attendance is up slightly from last year, and that is always positive. We are pretty much back to pre-COVID attendance numbers, both in overall attendance and groups. We’ve long believed a winning team is icing on the cake, and it’s always cooler when you’re winning. What we strive to provide at Journey Bank Ballpark is a night out for people that they can enjoy. It is top of mind for people, and we look forward to a good time for championship night.”
Major League Baseball recently announced that the MLB Draft League has been extended through the 2030 season and indicated plans are underway to add two franchises to the existing six teams: the Frederick Keys, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, State College Spikes, Trenton Thunder, West Virginia Black Bears, and the Crosscutters.
“In three short years, the MLB Draft League has done exactly what we had hoped, as it has provided players another chance to be evaluated by scouts from all MLB clubs both before and after the draft,” said Sean Campbell, MLB Draft League president. “The league has also kept professional-caliber baseball in six terrific cities, and we are most appreciative of the fans that come out to watch players chase their dreams of playing in the Major Leagues.”
Last week, a record-high TV audience tuned in to watch the thrilling conclusion of the Little League World Series. Cutters fans hope Thursday night will result in a championship banner flying over Bowman Field.
