20 Years of Shorebirds Baseball

On April 17, 1996, the Delmarva Shorebirds began their first season as a Minor League franchise. Just one year later, the Shorebirds became the Class-A Single A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

To celebrate the team’s 20th year in existence, Delmarva unveiled the logo to commemorate the accomplishment.

In the past 20 years, players, such as Brian Roberts, Nick Markakis and Manny Machado, have put on the jersey that read “Shorebirds” across the chest. In addition to these three Orioles,  58 other Shorebirds eventually made it up to the Majors to play for Baltimore.

The Shorebirds have been able to develop young talent while still remaining competitive. The team has won two South Atlantic League Championships (1997 and 2000). And in 1997, the team earned Baseball America’s Bob Freitas Award for Class A ball.

The team will be able to celebrate their 20th season still as an Affiliate to the Baltimore Orioles with the contract the two teams drew up on September 5th which keeps the Shorebirds as the Class A Affiliate to the Orioles through the 2016 season.

Notables on the team’s roster currently include Hunter Harvey (3.18 ERA  and 106 Ks in 2014), Chance Sisco (batted .340 in 2014 with 63 RBI), and Drew Dosch (batted .314 in 2014 with 31 extra-base hits).

The Shorebirds announced they will reveal more promotion nights for the 20th anniversary as the 2015 season opener gets closer. Delmarva kicks off their 2015 season on April 9th against the Greensboro Grasshoppers. Come out to Perdue Stadium to cheer on your Shorebirds in this historic season.