Wednesday
September 18, 2024 
The Quakertown Blazers return to the diamond this weekend as one of eight teams playing in the inaugural season of the East Coast Collegiate Baseball League (ECCBL).
The Blazers, led by skipper Mike Fitzgerald, head coach at Montgomery County Community College, will compete in the league’s Northern Division with the Pocono Timber Rattlers, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Miners and Southside. The Southern Division includes the Mercer Mammoths, Trenton Generals, South Jersey Kings and Trenton Capitals.
In the ECCBL, college student-athletes with remaining college eligibility who just finished their spring college semester or their high school career will compete. No team may have more than four players from the same collegiate institution, according to NCAA rules.
“We’re approaching 200 professional players that have been part of the Quakertown organization over the last 39 seasons,” said Blazers General Manager Chris Ray. Two former Blazers currently play in the MLB with multiple players in the lower leagues.
The Blazers play at Quakertown Memorial Park, located at 600 W. Mill St., Quakertown. The renovated grandstands hold approximately 800 fans.
“The (Quakertown) Borough did a great job. It’s so cool, it’s so well done,” said Ray about the renovations, noting that the team can’t wait to get in front of the Quakertown faithful again.
“(The fans) always let us know when we’re playing good and they’re happy to let us know when we’re not playing up to their standards,” Ray said.
Cody Barberio, a right-handed pitcher for the Blazers who is entering his final year at Kutztown University, has high hopes for the 2024 season.
“Optimism, I’m very optimistic about the season and wrapping up my last summer collegiate league I play in and happy to do it with Quakertown,” said Barberio.
“I played there for two years so far and (I’m) just excited to get back into playing on my home turf,” the Quakertown graduate added.
“I think from a veteran standpoint, it’s trying to keep your head on straight, it’s summer ball,” said Jackson Shollenberger, catcher/outfielder for the Blazers who played in the spring at Harford Community College in Bel Air, Md. “Obviously you’re trying to win, but at the same time you’re just trying to get better.”
Barberio played for the Blazers in 2021 and 2022 and Shollenberger played in 2022. The Blazers did not field a team in 2023.
“We have a couple returners and I have some of my teammates from Kutztown. It’s always just interesting to have a new group of guys, and lifetime friends that you could possibly make,” Barberio said.
Barberio continued to reflect on the Blazers team: “Always a good batch of guys that just love to play the game.”
“I think it’s good to get with new guys because it kind of teaches you how to build chemistry fast … and get better along with it,” Shollenberger said.
Prior to the season there’s “a lot of excitement surrounding the start ... hopefully, we can be the champions of the league this year,” said Barberio, who credits Ray for “bringing in elite level players in our area that are able to compete day in and day out.”
“I think (he) put together a good team,” echoed Shollenberger, “so I just think if we play baseball … we’re going to do pretty well.”
The Blazers begin the season on Saturday, June 1, with a double header at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. against the South Jersey Kings in Moody Park.
On Wednesday, June 5 they open their home schedule against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Miners with first pitch at 7 p.m.
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