UTICA - The New York State League of Professional Baseball will open its inaugural season on Tuesday, July 3 with a fitting tribute on the eve of the Fourth of July holiday. NYSL commissioner Jay Acton in conjunction with the New Hartford and Utica police departments announced Monday during a press conference at Murnane Field a "Tribute to Fallen Heroes" theme for opening night of the new independent baseball league in memory of the deaths of Utica police officer Thomas Lindsey on April 12 and New Hartford police officer Joseph Corr on Feb. 27 of last year. Acton said there will special commemorative tickets and a special commemorative program for the event and will also feature the Proctor High School of Utica ROTC color guard. A candle-light tribute and fireworks display will be held after the game between the Rome Coppers and Utica Brewmasters that starts at 7 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the officer's foundations. "There have been many wonderful memorials," said Acton, who invites all law enforcement officers to attend. "We wanted this to be special, and tied to the Fourth of July." Acton added he is limiting ticket sales to 3,000 because he wants to be sure all officers that attend the game will have seats. "This is more than just a memorial," New Hartford police Sgt. Paul Colburn said. "It's an opportunity for officers to come out with their families." Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for a group of 10 or more and $3 for seniors, children and military. To purchase tickets call 1-888-884-2345. The league, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, consists of four teams and will have a 50-game, two-month season that will run from July 3 to Aug. 31, which will be the championship game. All games will be played at Murnane Field except for the first week of August, which is when Murnane hosts the New York State American Legion Tournament. The four teams in the league are the Rome Coppers, Utica Brewmasters, Oneida BargeBucs and Herkimer Trailbusters. Former Proctor player and three-time National League all-star Dave Cash will manage the Utica Brewmasters. "We welcome Dave to the league and back to Utica," Acton said. "He gives our league tremendous credibility and we thank him for choosing to work with us in developing this Mohawk Valley professional showcase." Cash had been a manager and instructor in the Baltimore Orioles organization for the past 10 years. Last season, he was the Orioles' first base coach. Acton said he will announce the other three team's managers later this week. He said tryouts have been held in Florida, Michigan and North Carolina involving 1,700 players and another open tryout is slated for Wednesday, June 27 at Murnane Field beginning at 7 a.m. A draft will be held on Friday, June 29. "There will be a good mix of players from here and across the country," said Acton, who added that the league will have approximately 40 area players. Whitesboro graduate Geoff Stewart, who just concluded his senior year with the Utica College baseball team, recently became the first area player to sign with the league.

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