Pensacola Pelicans

Independent baseball team
name = Pensacola Pelicans
founded = 2002
city = Pensacola, Florida

cap
current league = American Association
current division = South Division
past league = * Southeastern League (2002-2003)
* Central Baseball League (2004-2005)
currentname = Pensacola Pelicans (2002-present)
colors = Navy Blue, Teal, White
ballpark = Pelican Park
pastparks = PJC Park
leaguechamps = 1 (2002)
radiohosts = Jay Burnham, ?
owner = Quint & Rishy Studer
manager = Talmadge "T" Nunnari
gm = Talmadge "T" Nunnari
media = Pensacola NewsJournal
website = http://www.pensacolapelicans.com www.pensacolapelicans.com

The Pensacola Pelicans are a professional baseball team based in Pensacola, Florida, in the United States. The Pelicans are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2002 season to the present, the Pelicans have played their home games at Pelican Park. The team ws scheduled to move to Community Maritime Park in 2009, but legal issues continue to delay the building of the new ballpark.

The Pensacola Pelicans were incorporated in 2002, when the Southeastern League decided to place a team in the Pensacola area. Midway through the 2002 season, Quint Studer and his wife Rishy Studer bought the team from the league and was approved under the Commissioner James Gamble which had founded the team. The 2002 season was a very successful one for the Pelicans; they had the league's best record and won the championship in an extra-innings victory against the Montgomery Wings. The 2003 season was also successful, with the Pelicans once again claiming the league's best record, but losing to the Baton Rouge Riverbats in the championship series.

Before the 2004 season, the Orlando Rays of the Southern League moved to Montgomery, Alabama, the location of a key Southeastern League franchise. Unable to compete with an affiliated baseball club in one of its key cities, the Southeastern League folded, and the Pelicans were left without a league in which to play.

In order to join the Central Baseball League for the 2004 season, Pelicans owner Quint Studer purchased the rights to the Springfield Ozark Mountain Ducks franchise, and the Pelicans took that team's spot in the league.

Former Major League standout Bernie Carbo was the team's manager and he was aided by former Major Leaguer Pedro Borbon as pitching coach.

The Pelicans joined the American Association after the 2005 season, and named Kash Beauchamp as manager. After leading the Pels to a 39-57 season, Beauchamp was released of his managerial duties.

The Pelicans were led by Mac Seibert in 2007 and 2008, finishing 39-56 in '07 and 43-53 in '08. Seibert left after his second year to take a job in the New York Mets organization. The Pelicans will take the field in 2009 with Talmadge "T" Nunnari at the helm, as he moves from the general manager's chair to the dugout.

"WHO CAN? PELI-CAN!" has become a noted cheer at team games. The Pelicans augment their on field successes with numerous giveaways, contests and between inning fun and entertainment. They frequently honor and assist local youth leagues. Pelican players make themselves available after every game to sign autographs and talk with fans.

External links

* [http://www.pensacolapelicans.com/ Pensacola Pelicans official site]
* [http://www.aabfan.com/pensacola/ aabfan.com Pensacola Pelicans Guide]

References

* [http://www.aabfan.com/league/ aabfan.com] - yearly league standings & awards