The Danbury Westerners are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Danbury, Connecticut. The team, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, plays their home games at Rogers Park. The team played its inaugural season in 1995. The Danbury Westerners are the oldest active team in the NECBL. The Westerners compete in the Southern Division in the NECBL.
On August 12, 2021, the Westerners finally won their first NECBL championship as they defeated the North Shore Navigators in two games.
Postseason appearances YearWild Card Game*Quarter FinalsSemi FinalsNECBL Championship Series Danbury Westerners1995Central Mass CollegiansL (0-2)1996Rhode Island RedsW (2-0)Central Mass CollegiansL (1-2)1997Torrington TwistersL (0-2)1998Middletown GiantsL (0-2)1999Keene Swamp BatsW (2-1)Middletown GiantsL (1-3)2002Middletown GiantsW (2-0)Newport GullsL (0-2)2003Newport GullsL (1-2)2005Newport GullsL (0-2)2010Bristol CollegiateW (2-1)North Adams SteepleCatsW (2-1)North Shore NavigatorsL (1-2)2011Keene Swamp BatsL (1-2)2012North Adams SteepleCatsW (2-1)Keene Swamp BatsW (2-1)Newport GullsL (0-2)2016Newport GullsL (1-2)2021Newport Gulls WValley Blue SoxW (2-0)Martha's Vineyard SharksW (2-1)North Shore NavigatorsW (2-0)2023Vermont MountaineersW (2-0)Newport Gulls L (0-2)2026Upper Valley NighthawksW (2-0)Mystic SchoonersW (2-1)Sanford MainersL (1-2)
Alumni in MLB Source:
The Danbury Westerners have had 30 former players make it into the Big Leagues since playing with them. The first being Earl Snyder with Cleveland in 2002. Mark Malaska's #15 is the only number retired by Danbury as he was the first to win a championship, which he did in 2004 with Boston. +Danbury Westerners in MLB.YearNameMLB TeamCollegeMLB Debut1996Earl SnyderCleveland IndiansUniversity of Hartford20021996Matt WhiteBoston Red SoxClemson University20031996Pete ZoccolilloMilwaukee BrewersRutgers University20031997Steve StemleKansas City RoyalsWestern Kentucky University20051998-99Mark MalaskaTampa Bay Devil RaysUniversity of Akron20032000Brian SlocumCleveland IndiansVillanova University20062000Matt DeSalvoNew York YankeesMarietta College20072001Jason BergmannWashington NationalsRutgers University20052001Joe ThatcherSan Diego PadresIndiana State University20072002Jeff BaisleyOakland AthleticsUniversity of South Florida 20082002Dusty HughesKansas City RoyalsDelta State University20082002Jack EgbertChicago White SoxRutgers University20092002Jeff FrazierDetroit TigersRutgers University20102003Jarrett HoffpauirSt. Louis CardinalsUniversity of Southern Mississippi20092003Joe MartinezSan Francisco GiantsBoston College20092003Brian BogusevicHouston AstrosTulane University20102004Matt JoyceDetroit TigersFlorida Southern College20082004Adam OttavinoSt. Louis CardinalsNortheastern University20102008Mike OltTexas RangersUniversity of Connecticut20122009Billy BurnsOakland AthleticsMercer University20142010Mike HauschildTexas RangersUniversity of Dayton 20172011Mike FordNew York YankeesPrinceton University20192014Vimael MachínOakland AthleticsVirginia Commonwealth University20202014Josh PalaciosToronto Blue JaysAuburn University20212016Josiah GrayLos Angeles DodgersLe Moyne College20212016David VillarSan Francisco GiantsUniversity of South Florida20222016Coco MontesColorado RockiesUniversity of South Florida20232017Brendan WhiteDetroit TigersSiena College20232019Emmet SheehanLos Angeles DodgersBoston College20232017Cam DevanneyPittsburgh PiratesElon University2025 Bold denotes player is still active in MLB.
See also New England Collegiate Baseball League
References
External links Danbury Westerners Official Site NECBL Website