Atlantic League

The Atlantic League is perhaps the premiere independent league in America. Founded in 1998, the level of play is generally judged to be at least Triple-A quality. Many former Major League players can be found on team rosters.

The ball is also unique. It didn’t start that way; between 1998 and 2006 it looked much the same as any other minor league ball. But in 2007, coinciding with the league’s 10th anniversary, official league balls had two signatures on them: CEO and Founder Frank Boulton, and Executive Director Joe Klein.

But they weren’t done! Red and blue stitching was used for Memorial Day 2015. Then at the All-Star Game on July 8th, the league’s baseballs became truly unique. Not only were the laces now red and blue, but each team used its own balls, stamped with President Rick White’s named and the name of each team’s Executive Director.

Bill Shipley, Director (York)	Rick White, Pres.
Bob Zlotnik, Director (Sugar Land)	Rick White, Pres.
Rob Liss, Director (Lancaster)	Rick White, Pres.
Joe Klein, President (Bridgeport, Long Island)	Rick White, Pres.
Charles County Commisioners (Southern Maryland)	Rick White, Pres.
Steven Kalafer, Director (Somerset)	Rick White, Pres.

For the 2016 season the league logo was added to the south panel.

No rest for we collectors in 2017 either. Not only was the league’s 20th Anniversary logo added but the front stamp was changed yet again for four teams. Here’s the breakdown:

Bill Shipley, Director (York)	Rick White, Pres.
Bob Zlotnik, Director (Sugar Land)	Rick White, Pres.
Rob Liss, Director (Lancaster)	Rick White, Pres.
Frank Boulton, Founder (Bridgeport, Long Island, New Britain, Southern Maryland)	Rick White, Pres.
Steven Kalafer, Director (Somerset)	Rick White, Pres.

2018 saw new ownership for the New Britain Bees. Anthony Iacovone replaced Frank Boulton on that team’s ball.

For the 2019 season, all teams again used one baseball, adorned with League President Rick White’s signature on the front panel.

For the 2021 season, the league was named an MLB Partner League, which modified its “independent” status. The league is not directly affiliated with MLB but has agreed to act as a testing ground for rules changes under consideration by the Major Leagues.

In 2022 the Atlantic League began producing its own baseball, called “The Drake”.

A huge tip of the cap to atlanticleagueautographs for most of this information!

Bud Harrelson 1998-1999

Joe Klein 2000-2006

10th Anniversary 2007

Frank Boulton/Joe Klein 2008-2011, 2013-first half of 2015

15th Anniversary 2012

Memorial Day 2015
The debut of red-and-blue laces

Rick White, Executive Directors – 2nd half of 2015 season
Each team began using a ball individualized with its team Director’s stamp alongside the President’s stamp

Rick White, Executive Directors 2016
The league logo was added to the South panel

20th Anniversary 2017

2018
The New Britain Bees hired a new Executive Director, Anthony Iacovone

2019
This season all teams were back to using the same ball, now with league President Rick White’s stamp only.

2020
With the Atlantic League season cancelled, the Somerset Patriots hosted a brief 12-game schedule versus one other team, the New Jersey Blasters, called the Somerset Professional Baseball Series.