www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiu_Y–1Rlc

The second episode of “On Deck with the Muskrats”, the Muskrats’ new half-hour highlight show currently airing locally on Lakes Region Public Access Television. Episode two, airing in May, previews the upcoming 2012 NECBL season, introducing the Muskrats’ offensive players. It also features a conversation with a Muskrats host family. Check your local listings to view the show on LRPA-TV.

The Laconia Muskrats are excited to announce the construction of a replica Green Monster that will be added to Robbie Mills Field in time for Opening Day. The Muskrat Monster will be an imposing 17 feet tall and 90 feet in length. Attached to the back side of the Monster will be the Muskrats Party Deck where fans can watch the game and enjoy the newest menu item at Robbie Mills Field, ice cold beer. Dunkin’ Donuts of Laconia, lead by Mark Cafua, has signed on as the Muskrat Monster’s premier sponsor.

“We couldn’t convince Terry Francona to manage our club this summer so we brought another part of Fenway up to the Lakes Region,” said Muskrats General Manager Noah Crane. This is the second time in three years that the Muskrats are making improvements to Robbie Mills Field. In 2010 when the team entered the NECBL, major renovations took place to make the facility ready for summer collegiate baseball. The outfield fences were pushed back, the dugouts were extended, a press box was built, and two large sets of bleachers were added. The latest renovations are designed specifically to increase the fan experience at the park. “We have slowly transformed an underused facility into one of the best baseball fields in the state, if not all of New England,” remarked Crane. “The City of Laconia and the people of the Lakes Region have been great to us and this is one way we can say thanks.”

The Muskrats are working with many members from the Lakes Region Builders and Remodelers Association to construct the Monster and Party Deck. “The Muskrats are incredibly grateful for the willingness of LRBRA members to give of their time and expertise to work on this project,” stated Muskrats General Manager, Noah Crane. “This project is truly a community wide effort and the citizens of the Lakes Region are the beneficiaries,” said Crane. Construction will begin in early May and will be overseen by Tradesmen Builders owner, Larry Greeley, who is also a Host Family for the Muskrats. The architectural plans were drawn up by ardent Muskrat fan, Rob Turpin, of Misiaszek & Turpin Architecture of Laconia. Muskrats sponsor, Belknap Landscape, will be handling the excavation and landscaping for the project. When asked why the Lakes Region Builders and Remodelers Association got involved with this project LRBRA President, Julie Hayward, had this to say: “Our diversified group of builders and associate members are focused on using their professionalism to help improve our local communities. The opportunity to work with the City of Laconia and the Laconia Muskrats to bring the ‘Green Monster’ project into reality is what our association is all about!”

On February 22nd the Laconia Parks Commission granted approval to the Muskrats to sell beer during the 2012 season. The new Party Deck on the Monster will allow for the vending and consumption of beer in addition to the other food offerings available to Muskrat fans. The Party Deck will house beer and food vendors, counter space along the Monster, and a section of Monster Seats. The Deck will be 48 feet wide and 42 feet deep and will be accessed by a ramp just past the Muskrats Ticket Booth.”The goal of the Party Deck is to attract the 21-35 year old crowd by creating a unique environment to watch a game,” stated GM Noah Crane. “The Party Deck is a great place to bring a date or get together with friends for outstanding baseball, cold beer, and delicious food.”

The 2012 NECBL season begins on June 7th and Muskrats Opening Night is Friday June 8th at 6:30PM. Season tickets are still available and are only $50. Season tickets can be purchased at the Official Team Store of the Laconia Muskrats, Green Monster Sports in Tilton.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6WTRdO1fcs

The premiere episode of “On Deck with the Muskrats”, the Muskrats’ new half-hour highlight show currently airing locally on Lakes Region Public Access Television. This first episode, airing in the month of April, reviews the Muskrats’ successful 2011 season. Check your local listings to view the show on LRPA-TV.

In preparation for the upcoming season, the Muskrats are pleased to release three new t shirt designs for the 2012 season. Like the past two years, all Muskrats merchandise is available online or at the “Official Muskrats Team Store” located at Green Monster Sports in the Tanger Mall in Tilton. The Muskrats will continue to sell merchandise during home games at Robbie Mills Field this summer.

For the 2012 season the Muskrats have created a special t shirt to honor the memory of Robbie Mills. The home of the Muskrats is Robbie Mills Field which was built in 2005 and renovated in 2010. This new t shirt will raise money for the Robbie Mills Memorial Scholarship Fund which will be awarded to a Laconia High School student each year. The Muskrats will donate $5 for each shirt sold to the scholarship fund.

Also new this year is the white performance tee with Muskrats spelled out in blue camoflauge. This shirt is a great active tee to wear on those hot summer days at the ballpark as it is moisture wicking. We have a new design for our youth tees this summer too. The youth tee has a circular design on a dark grey shirt.

You can still get a great Muskrats hooded sweatshirt in blue, grey, or pink. We also have our white Muskrats Super Fan tees as well as a wide variety of hats. Show your Muskrats pride and wear your gear all over the Lakes Region. The Muskrats prize team is always on the lookout for

fans sporting their Muskrats gear. The 2012 season begins on June 7th and Opening Night is Friday June 8th. See you at Robbie Mills Field, Go Muskrats!

The NECBL Eastern Division Champion Laconia Muskrats have finalized their 2012 coaching staff. Matt Alison will return for his second year as manager and third year on the coaching staff. Assisting Alison this summer will be Gilford, New Hampshire native, Luke Demko, and Southern New Hampshire University assistant, Scott Strong.

Alison was the hitting coach in the Muskrats inaugural season in 2010. Last summer he took over as manager and posted an 18-24 record. In spite of a losing record the season was a tremendous success as the Muskrats eliminated the Newport Gulls and the Sanford Mainers to capture the NECBL Eastern Division Championship. The Muskrats playoff run ended with a loss to the Keene Swampbats in the NECBL Championship series. Under Alison’s guidance the Muskrats notched their franchise’s first playoff victory, the franchise’s first playoff series victory, and their first Eastern Division Championship. In addition to the post season success, 6 Muskrats made the NECBL All Star team and Chris Costantino was named the NECBL Rick Ligi Player of the Year. “Having consistency in leadership is rare in summer collegiate baseball, we are very fortunate to have Matt return for his third summer on the staff,” said Muskrats General Manager Noah Crane. “Matt has an even keeled demeanor that is perfect for dealing with the near constant roster changes of summer league baseball.” “It is great too that Matt knows the area and understands what the Muskrats organization is trying to do in this community.”

Luke Demko will begin his first season as Muskrats pitching coach, taking over for Eric Schaffner. Demko is no stranger to the Lakes Region or the NECBL. Demko graduated from nearby Gilford High School and pitched for the Sanford Mainers during his college playing days at the University of Rhode Island. Demko is currently in his first season as the pitching coach for Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kansas. “I am excited about Luke joining our coaching staff,” said General Manager Noah Crane. “He’s local, has familiarity with the league having played in Sanford, and he has professional playing experience.”

Scott Strong will be the new hitting coach in 2012, replacing Cody Kauffman. Strong is in his third season as an assistant at nearby Southern New Hampshire University, his alma mater. In addition to assisting head coach Scott Louiseau, Strong is the head coach of the Penmen JV program. As a member of the SNHU baseball staff, Strong coached former Muskrat pitchers, Garrett Jewell ’10+’11, and Zach LeBarron ’11. Like Coach Demko, Strong is familiar with the NECBL having spent last summer as the hitting coach for the New Bedford Bay Sox. “Scott comes highly recommended and he understands how to be successful in the NECBL,” commented GM Noah Crane.

2012 is the third season for the Muskrats and first as reigning Eastern Division Champions. The 2012 season opens on June 7th when the Muskrats travel to New Bedford to take on the Bay Sox. The first home game will be on Friday June 8th at 6:30PM at Robbie Mills Field in Laconia, NH. Season tickets are available locally or through the merchandise store on the Muskrats website, www.laconiamuskrats.com. Go Muskrats!