Nighthawks set to host NECBL all-star game

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — For the first time in franchise history, the Upper Valley Nighthawks will host the New England Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game on Sunday at Maxfield Sports Complex in White River Junction.

The game brings together this season’s best performers from the league’s North and South divisions for a midseason celebration of the game.

The Nighthawks, who played their inaugural NECBL campaign in 2016, were awarded the opportunity by a vote of the other teams in the league.

“I’m excited to be able to have the entire NECBL community and the broader baseball community of New England be able to see our facility, get a chance to experience the Upper Valley in the summertime and showcase our players — and, therefore, our organization — to the broader world,” said Nighthawks founder and president Noah Crane.

Matt Wright, the Nighthawks’ general manager, said the selection process takes logistics and location into consideration, as well as previous areas the game has been hosted.

Wright said in their proposal to host the event, the Nighthawks focused on Maxfield’s setting in a centralized location near major transportation and the highway and the facility being “relatively new” compared to others in the league, along with the quality of playing surface and lights, among other things.

The Nighthawks were awarded Sunday’s festivities in January 2024 and, since last year, the organization has been preparing.

“The initial planning was more laying out what we can do here, what are our limitations, what do we need to improve on between January 2024 and next Sunday,” said Wright.

That included updated logo and uniform designs, improving broadcast capabilities to meet standards of ESPN+ — the platform that will carry the game — and securing concession vendors.

“We kind of promote it as a regular game day, but it’s kind of magnified times 10,” said Wright, who noted the event could draw 2,000 to 3,000 spectators or more, substantially more than the typical home game.

While the NECBL has requirements for how aspects of the All-Star Game and its accompanying festivities are to be conducted, there is room for the hosts to add their own twist.

For the Nighthawks, this included designing uniforms with an Upper Valley theme and adding the players’ last names to the back.

Other features, such a logo for the Home Run Derby and new welcome banners and signage, were also created.

“You want to make it your own,” said Wright. “You want to make it an event that is unique to this area and this place.”

While Sunday’s game is an exhibition, the players have every reason to give their best effort.

“A strong summer in our league and then a strong showing at our All-Star Game really stands out, because there are going to be more eyeballs on you and there is going to be press coverage as well,” Crane said.

The Nighthawks had multiple players named to the North Division roster. Cole Fellows, an outfielder from Columbia University, was named a starter. Reliever Aaron Potter (Georgia Gwinnett College), catcher Nick Shuhet (Rider University) and second baseman AJ Brotz (Marist University) were named to the reserves.

Gates will open at Maxfield for the NECBL extravaganza at 11 a.m. Ticket are $10 for adults; patrons under 18 years of age enter for free.

At noon, a softball game will be played among team executives, personnel and interns.

The Home Run Derby, which will also be broadcast on NECBL+, will begin at 2:40 p.m.

The All-Star Game will follow, with first pitch slated for 5:10 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

The rain date is Monday.

“Our goal is twofold. We want to showcase our players, and we want to make sure people have a good time, and I think we do both of those things really well,” said Crane. “We’re looking forward to Sunday and just hoping for some sunny skies.”

Michael Coughlin Jr. can be reached at mcoughlin@vnews.com.