A SNEAK PEEK INTO THE SUSSEX COUNTY MINERS' UPCOMING SEASON

The Sussex County Miners are proud to Keep Digging! in our 9th official season. Established in 2014 as members of the Can-Am League, the Sussex County Miners have grown into a staple for fans in Northern New Jersey and the surrounding areas of Pennsylvania and New York. Since joining the Frontier League in 2019 the Sussex County Miners have consistently fielded one of the most competitive teams in the league. Most recently, with the addition of former Major League Catcher Chris Widger as the manager of the team, the Miners made the 2023 Frontier League Playoffs and hope to return even better results for the 2024 season.

The 2024 season marks a milestone for the Sussex County Miners' organization. Over the offseason, the Sussex County Miners and Skylands Stadium underwent extensive projects and changes as the organization positioned itself for success for the upcoming 2024 season. With the front office staff nearly doubling in size, and improvements around the stadium. These improvements include the addition of our Brand New Kids Zone located at the end of the 3rd baseline above the away bullpen. The Miner's players also have a lot to look forward to as they are the recipients of a newly renovated clubhouse! Lastly for our fans, be sure to head to the brand new Slushy Shop at Skylands Stadium for mouthwatering slushies to cut the heat of those hot summer days.

The Miners also upgraded their ticket system to bring it into the 21st century. Vivenu, a modern ticketing provider, announced an official partnership with the Sussex County Miners professional baseball team. Vivenu's focus on modern technology was cited as the main reason for the clubs interest in integrating the system into Skylands Stadium. Vivenu offers a future-proof solution, ensuring continuous innovation through in-house developments and integrations with third-party partners. The Sussex County Miners General Manager, Vin Sangemino, highlighted vivenu's up-to-date platform as a key factor in their decision, emphasizing the importance of investing in a forward-looking solution to meet ongoing tech needs and fan expectations. Vivenu's co-founder expressed excitement about this partnership, marking vivenu's first entry into the Frontier League. He emphasized vivenu's ability to provide customization and cater to the needs of sports teams, sponsors, and stakeholders, reflecting a commitment to fulfilling the evolving needs of professional sports organizations.

The improvements around Skylands Stadium is not the only thing fans get to look forward to. In an unusual step for an independent ball organization, the miners are bringing back over 75% of their active roster from 2023. For a recap from the 2023 season, let's hear from our Broadcaster Sean Bretherick. 

When the final out was recorded on Saturday, August 26th, almost all signs were pointing to a third straight season of missing the Frontier League playoffs for the Miners after being championship contenders for all but three of their seasons in existence including winning a Can-Am league championship in 2018, but little did they know, that would be the last defeat they would suffer in the 2023 regular season. Miners pitching led by returning starters in Mark Moclair and Tyler Thornton, as well as their best bullpen in franchise history, with returning arms in Billy Parsons, Ronnie Voacolo and Tyler Luneke, wouldn't allow more than four earned runs in each of their final seven games.

The Miners 2023 season came to an end in the one game playoff against Jorge Tavarez and the New Jersey Jackals, but in that locker room following the game, the vibes were immaculate. Manager Chris Widger in his first season with the Miners quickly established a culture of togetherness and the team looks forward to continuing that culture as the Miners return almost three quarters of its roster from 2023.

Willie Escala, who played for the Czech Republic in the world baseball classic, returns for his second full season and third overall in Sussex County. Escala, brings a steady glove at shortstop and will look to also build off an unbelievable second half of 2023 with the bat. Escala finished the month of June with a batting average of just .217 but turned it around in a big way once July came around. In his final 211 at bats, he had a total of sixty nine hits including six doubles and three home runs good enough for a .327 average since the beginning of July. Even more impressive was the month of August, Escala batted .347 with three homers and nineteen runs batted in allowing him to go from a .217 average to a superb .285 average.

Joining Escala will be outfielder Edwin Mateo, Mateo will also be returning for his second full and third season overall. Mateo was acquired near the end of the 2022 season as a replacement for the injured Mikey Reynolds. Mateo is a career .314 batter for the Miners and had a stellar 2023 season batting .323 with seven homers and forty three runs batted in along with thirty nine stolen bases. Along with bringing back a solid glove in the outfield, Edwin Mateo looks to continue to be a core player for the Miners in 2024.

Oraj Anu always had the tools to be a big time player. You saw flashes of it at the end of the 2022 season coming straight from the SEC conference at the University of Kentucky. 2023 was a breakout season for Anu as he fully transitioned from swinging Easton Maxum Ultras to swinging lumber. In 2023, Anu batted .321 with twenty homers and sixty nine runs batted in. Anu's twenty homeruns was one shy of tying the franchise record set by Chris Jacobs back in 2016 with twenty one big flies. It's undetermined what the future holds for Anu defensively; however, he has a pedigree of athleticism. His mother, Oralee Fowler, was a two time olympic sprinter for the Bahamas in 1980 and 1984 and his father played for Steve Spurrier at the University of Florida.

Mark Moclair returns to the Miners looking to continue his improvements in his command. Moclair was the Miners most effective starter in 2023, striking out 105 batters in 108.1 innings pitched. Moclair had two complete games and an ERA of 3.66 and a WHIP of 1.54. Moclair aims to lower the walks in 2024 as he had eighty of them in the 2023 season.

Tyler Thornton might have not brought the strikeouts but he brought the Miners innings but more importantly, wins. When Thornton started, the Miners had an incredible 14-3 record. Acquired from Windy City late into the 2022 season, Thornton was used mostly as a closer in 2022, but was always a starter in the Frontier League. Entering his sixth season in the Frontier League, Thornton has a combined 4.51 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in over 416 innings pitched.

Billy Parsons is coming off arguably the best season for a Miners relief pitcher. The Aussie gave the Miners a great bridge to Ronnie Voacolo and Robbie Hitt. Parsons, who came over with Jimmy Boyce from the Canberry Calvary in the ABL, appeared in twenty eight games compiling thirty-six innings with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of only .89 striking out thirty four batters in the process. Parsons might have an even bigger role in the bullpen and a part of the best pitching staff in the league in 2023.

The most notable departure for the team was the retirement of first baseman and catcher Gavin Stupienski. However, his presence won't be missed as he will be returning to the organization as the Miners new Hitting Coach. Other notable additions to the Miners Team include the addition of Australian Baseball League batting champion and former 9th round draft pick of the Atlanta Braves Cory Acton, former Oakland Athletics and Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Gabriel Maciel, and former Tri-City Valleycats Outfielder John Mead.

As proud members of the Frontier League, the Sussex County Miners stand as a beacon of excellence in the realm of independent baseball. Alongside fifteen other formidable teams, they contribute to the rich tapestry of America's sporting heritage within the oldest continually running independent league in the nation. Notably recognized as a Major League Baseball Partner League, the Frontier League serves as a breeding ground for talent and a bastion of spirited competition.

Mark your calendars from May through early September, as the Miners embark on a thrilling 96-game odyssey, navigating through the peaks and valleys of the baseball season. With each swing of the bat and every graceful play, they epitomize the essence of the game, igniting the passion of fans and inspiring a sense of community pride.

Experience the thrill of every pitch, every swing, and every victory with the Sussex County Miners in the upcoming 2024 season! Dive into the heart of the action by securing your tickets now. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the game, there's something special about being part of the live experience. Head over to http://sussexcountyminers.com/ to find out more details and reserve your spot in the stands. Don't miss out on a single moment of the excitement as you cheer on the Miners through every inning and every game.

Can't make it to the ballpark? No worries! You can still catch all the action live from anywhere with our exclusive partners at FloSports. Tune in to every game with ease by following this link: https://share.flosports.tv/SHb0. Whether you're at home, at work, or on the go, you won't miss an at bat as you support the Sussex County Miners throughout the entire season. Join us in celebrating the passion and camaraderie of baseball as we embark on an unforgettable 2024 season together!