Danville Otterbots

Danville Otterbots
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Information
League	Appalachian League
Location	Danville, Virginia
Ballpark	American Legion Field
Founded	2021
League championships	1 (2024)
Division championships	1 (2024)
Colors	Blue, black, orange, gray, white
Retired numbers	34 (Wendell Scott) 42 (Jackie Robinson) [1]
Ownership	Ryan Keur
General manager	Matt McLaughlin
Manager	Mickey Tettleton
Coach	Tommy Williams
Website	Official website

The Danville Otterbots are a summer collegiate baseball team of the Appalachian League. They are located in Danville, Virginia, and play their home games at American Legion Field.

History

Previous Danville teams

From 1993 to 2020, Danville, Virginia, hosted the Danville Braves. On September 3, 2006, Danville won their first Appalachian League championship, defeating the Elizabethton Twins, two games to one, in a best-of-three series. On September 3, 2009, the Braves won their second Appalachian League championship, again defeating Elizabethton, this time two games to zero.

Collegiate summer team

In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball beginning with the 2021 season, the Appalachian League was reorganized as a collegiate summer baseball league, and the Danville Braves franchise continued under a new name, the Danville Otterbots, in the revamped league designed for rising college freshmen and sophomores. ^{[2] [3]}

Ballpark sensory room

In April 2022, the Otterbots held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Luca's Place, their Ballpark Sensory Room. ^[4] They became the first team in Appalachian League history to have a sensory room inside their gates, joining less than 15 other ballparks across the country with such a feature.

Awards and recognition

Following the Otterbots' inaugural season, they were named Danville's Favorite Family Fun Spot by Showcase Magazine readers. ^[5] Following the 2022 season, General Manager Austin Scher was named Appalachian League Executive of the Year. ^[6]

References

1. Weiss, Elias. "Otterbots retire No. 34 to honor legacy of Wendell Scott".
2. "MLB, USA Baseball Announce New Format for Appalachian League". Major League Baseball. September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
3. McClung, Andrew (March 16, 2021). "Danville baseball team introduces new name". wdbj7. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
4. Thomas, Pat. "Danville Otterbots open ballpark sensory room, expand inclusivity".
5. "Showcase Magazine February 2022".
6. "Austin Scher named Appalachian League Executive of the Year". Appalachian League.