Updated June 20 2017
The Coastal Plain League is excited to announce the addition of a sixteenth franchise, set to begin competition for the 2018 season in Macon, Georgia. The organization will be owned and operated by Jon Spoelstra and Steve DeLay.
“We’re excited to announce Macon as the newest expansion franchise in the Coastal Plain League,” said CPL COO and Commissioner Justin Sellers. “Macon-Bibb has a storied history rich in baseball and we look forward to creating the newest chapter with a CPL team. Additionally, we are thrilled to have Jon and Steve as owners in the CPL, and know that their vast experience will ensure the success of this franchise for years to come.”
Spoelstra and DeLay have a combined 60 years of experience operating professional teams at all levels. Jon was VP/General Manager of the Portland Trail Blazers for 13 years and President of the New Jersey Nets. He was also Managing Director of Mandalay Baseball Properties, overseeing the operation of seven minor league baseball teams including the Dayton Dragons, Frisco Roughriders, Staten Island Yankees and Oklahoma City Redhawks.
DeLay first linked up with Spoelstra at the New Jersey Nets and was also head of ticket sales for the Los Angeles Kings and Tampa Bay Lightning. DeLay and Spoelstra worked together again at Mandalay Baseball Properties where DeLay was Chief Marketing Officer. They are also limited partners of the Coastal Plain League’s Savannah Bananas.
“We’re thrilled to be part of the Coastal Plain League and bring fun, family oriented entertainment to the city of Macon and Historic Luther Williams Field,” said DeLay. “We’re looking forward to getting the community involved.”
The team will play at Historic Luther Williams Field that will see $2.5 million in renovations take place before the start of the 2018 season. Luther Williams last played host to a minor league team in 2002 and has since been home to multiple independent ball teams, as well as the site of several films such as Trouble With the Curve and 42.
“Baseball is coming back to Macon-Bibb in a big way, and we couldn’t be more delighted to be the next team in the Coastal Plain League,” says Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert. “Our community has shown a resurgence in support for baseball at all levels, and Macon-Bibb County is doing what it can to support that, from improving and upgrading existing facilities to working with local partners to build new facilities, and, of course, making significant upgrades at our Historic Luther Williams Field.”
The organization will hold a launch party in Macon later this summer to reveal more information about the team and stadium. For updates as they become available visit www.maconbaseball2018.com.
About the CPL
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 21st season in 2017, the CPL features 15 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had over 1,400 alumni drafted and 99 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Twitter @CPLBaseball.
Shelby Hilliard
Phone:919-852-1960