After a year of growing pains adjusting to a new league and working under the shadow of COVID, the Williamsport Crosscutters’ officials are very excited about the coming season.
This year, several exciting changes will be featured for the Crosscutters and the MLB Draft League.
The 2022 season will be split into two halves. The first half runs from June 2 until July 16 and features amateur, draft-eligible players following a similar format to last year. Following a mid-season break that coincides with the MLB Draft and All-Star Game, the second half, beginning July 22, will feature professional players who have exhausted their amateur eligibility or otherwise wish to begin their pro careers.
One big change is with games’ starting times. The Crosscutters are implementing changes in the start times for all home games in 2022. Monday through Saturday, games will begin at 6:35 p.m., with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Sunday games will now move to a 4:05 p.m. first pitch, with gates opening at 3:00 p.m. The only exception is Sunday, June 12, which will be a 6:05 p.m. start.
2022 will feature 40 home games from June 2-Sept. 1, the most in Cutters’ history! This season will also mark the debut of the new $700,000 video board at Muncy Bank and Trust Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, which will significantly enhance the game night experience for fans and provide more opportunities for sponsors.
“After no season in 2020 due to the pandemic and a season impacted by COVID precautions in 2021, we are ready to go full speed ahead this summer,” Gabe Sinicropi, Vice President for Marketing for the Crosscutters, told Webb Weekly.
The Cutters Cove Picnic area is back in operation after being suspended in 2021 due to COVID precautions. Those looking to book a group in Cutters Cove or any one of our other areas can find more information at crosscutters.com.
Some on-field modifications are taking place in the league for the upcoming season.
They include:
EXTRA INNINGS: A “sudden death” format will replace traditional extra innings in 2022 as part of the MLB Draft League’s emphasis on pitcher health and arm safety. Before the game, the home team manager will decide to play either offense or defense in the event of an extra-inning game. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, the teams will play an additional half-inning to determine a winner. The inning will begin with a runner – the third out from the previous inning – on first base and the scheduled hitter at the plate. The team starting the additional half-inning on offense will have three outs to score a run and win the game. If they fail to score a run, the winner is the team that began the half-inning on defense.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: The MLB Draft League’s first- and second-half champions will meet in a winner-take-all MLB Draft League Championship Game on Sept. 6, hosted by the first-half winner. If the same team wins both halves, then the second-place finisher of the season’s second half will qualify for the Championship Game.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Free substitutions will be allowed at each manager’s discretion to provide playing opportunities for more players.
SEVEN-INNING GAMES: All Tuesday games during the first half of the season (June 2 – July 16) will be seven innings, excluding home openers. All Tuesday games during the season’s second half (July 22 – Sept. 6) will be nine innings. This will be in effect for a total of three Cutters’ home games: June 14, June 28 & July 12.
The team will be managed by former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Litsch. Litsch, 37, was drafted in the 24th round of the 2004 June Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays and spent five seasons in MLB with Toronto (2007-2011). He appeared in a total of 88 Major League games, compiling a record of 27-27 with a 4.16 ERA. In the 2008 season, Litsch was 13-9 with a 3.58 ERA and tied for the American League lead in shutouts (2). He has served as a pitching coach for the Philippines national team in the World Baseball Classic qualifier (2016), the Atlantic League’s Bridgeport Bluefish (2016), and the Atlanta Braves organization (2017-18). His coaching experience also includes a stint at the MLB Development Center in China (2015). He currently serves as the Florida Scouting Director for PBR, the organization that operates the MLB Draft
The Crosscutters are still looking for more game-day staff. Anyone interested can find information on available positions at crosscutters.com, and they can come to the ballpark to fill out an application.
They are also looking for additional anthem performers. You can apply on their website for that as well.
The Williamsport Crosscutters have announced a new program to honor active and retired military members during the 2022 season. The program, Military Salute, is presented by EQT and will honor an active or retired member of the armed forces in pregame ceremonies at every Cutters home game this season.
To nominate someone for the Military Salute program, simply fill out the short online nomination form available at crosscutters.com. Those chosen will receive; four tickets to the selected Cutters game. A $25 Cutters gift card. Recognition on the field before the game. Ceremonial 1st pitch honors. Nominations will remain open until all 40 available spots have been filled.
A highlight of the promotional slate occurs on August 31, when the Crosscutters commemorate the 35th anniversary of Dave Bresnahan’s ‘Great Potato Caper.’ Bresnahan created baseball history using a POTATO in a trick play for the Williamsport Bills in 1987, leading to worldwide publicity that continues to this day. To celebrate, the Williamsport Crosscutters will be rebranding to the Great Potato Capers for the August 31 game. The first 1,000 fans attending the game will receive a limited-edition “Potato Ball.” Special Great Potato Caper jerseys, all featuring Bresnahan’s name, will be available to fans in an online auction. Exclusive Great Potato Caper merchandise is currently available online at crosscutters.com.
Other promotions include six fireworks shows, Ed Ott night featuring an appearance by Ott & a bobblehead giveaway, appearances by Denny McLain on July 15 & 16, a cruise giveaway on July 22, and Blue & White Football Night on August 11 with a pair of Penn State Football tickets given away every inning. The full promotional slate can be viewed online.
Tickets for all games are now on sale at the Crosscutters’ box office at Muncy Bank Ballpark, open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets can also be charged by phone at (570) 326-3389 or online at crosscutters.com.
So go out and enjoy a night of fun baseball and cheer on the Crosscutters at the uptown ballpark!
