The Slippery Rock Sliders were a professional, and later collegiate summer baseball team based in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, in the United States. They were a member of the Frontier League and the East Division of the summer collegiate Prospect League.

Slippery Rock Sliders

Team Logo
Information
LeagueProspect League (East Division)
LocationSlippery Rock, Pennsylvania
BallparkJack Critchfield Park
Founded2007 (Frontier League), 2009 (Prospect League)
Former name(s)Slippery Rock Sliders (2007, 2009-2013)
Former league(s)Frontier League (2007)
ColorsGreen, Silver, Black, White
OwnershipSlippery Rock Sports Group, LLC
ManagementMike Bencic (GM)
ManagerBrad Neffendorf
MediaAaron Anderson (Web Broadcaster)
Websitetheslipperyrocksliders.com

History

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Frontier League

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The Sliders were formed for the 2007 season to ensure an even number of teams with the Frontier League's addition of the Southern Illinois Miners. The Sliders played a mere 32 home games at Jack Critchfield Park in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, with the remaining 64 played on the road. For the 2008 season, the Sliders became a traveling team, playing all of their games on the road under the geographical moniker, Midwest Sliders.

The Frontier League Sliders' became the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti for the 2009 season. That year they played at Eastern Michigan University's Oestrike Stadium located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In 2010, the team was renamed the Oakland County Cruisers, and moved into the new Diamond at the Summit ballpark.[1] In 2012, the team moved again to London, Ontario and became the London Rippers. The team folded halfway through the season, and once again became a traveling team known as the Road Warriors. The Road Warriors would be the final incarnation of the franchise as the team did not return to any city in the 2013 season.

Prospect League

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When the summer-collegiate Prospect League was formed, Slippery Rock was announced as one of the franchise locations. Owner/GM Mike Bencic acquired the Sliders name & logo rights, bringing the ball team back in 2009.

In the 2009 season the Sliders were managed by Chase Rowe, a Slippery Rock University alumnus and current head coach of nearby La Roche College.[2]

Over the next five years the Sliders would form a small rivalry with fellow Butler County PL team the Butler BlueSox. The Sliders ceased operations in Slippery Rock at the end of the 2013 season. The franchise relocated to Springfield, Ohio and were renamed the Champion City Kings.

Seasons

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Slippery Rock Sliders (Frontier League)
Year W-L PCT Place Postseason
2007 29-66 .305 4th in FL East
2008 Did Not Play
Total 29-66 .305
Slippery Rock Sliders (Prospect League)
Year W-L PCT Place Postseason
2009 22-31 .415 5th in PL East
2010 21-33 .389 4th in PL East
2011 26-29 .472 3rd in PL East 2-1 L WV Miners
2012 20-40 .333 5th in PL East
2013
Total 89-133 .401

References

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  1. ^ "Eagles are wary of Army maneuvers". Retrieved 2015-08-21.
  2. ^ "Former Rock standout Chase Rowe named as Sliders manager". Retrieved 2015-08-21.
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