Team history
1998: Inaugural season
The Jackals were founded in 1998 and replaced the Bangor Blue Ox in the Northeast League after that franchise folded. Kash Beauchamp was named the team's first manager and they began play on May 30, 1998, against the Waterbury Spirit, where they won both games of a doubleheader.
The Jackals' first home game was played at a yet-to-be-finished Yogi Berra Stadium on June 5. Facing the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs, New Jersey went to extra innings before winning 2–1 in the thirteenth on a home run by Gary Collum.
The Jackals finished the regular season with 53 wins, most in the league, and won the first half championship, which ensured a place in the Northeast League playoffs. They would defeat the Allentown Ambassadors in their first playoff series, then face Albany-Colonie again for the league championship. The Jackals defeated the Diamond Dogs 2–0 in a best of three series to win their first league championship.
1999–2000: Entering a new league
The Jackals became members of the Northern League for the 1999 season after the league decided to absorb the Northeast League. The Jackals became part of the new Northern League East Division.
The Jackals won 45 games in 1999 and again qualified for the playoffs, knocking off Allentown in their first playoff matchup before falling to Albany-Colonie in a rematch of their league championship series from 1998.
The Jackals received the honor of hosting the Northern League All-Star Game in 2000. 4,211 fans showed up to watch the game, which saw the East defeat the Central Division 10–5. [4] It was one of the year's highlights, but there were not many others as the Jackals struggled throughout the season. A 31–52 record placed the team last in the division, and following the season Kash Beauchamp announced his resignation after three seasons.
2001–2004: Champions
George Tsamis was hired to take over the Jackals for 2001. He had lost his job as manager in Waterbury following the 2000 season when the Spirit suspended operations.
The Jackals again found struggles, but managed to pull together 45 victories against 45 losses. They qualified for the Northern League playoffs for the second time in three years as a wild card and once again won their first round series, sweeping Albany-Colonie.
Shortly after the Jackals' win over the Diamond Dogs, the September 11 attacks occurred and threw the rest of the playoffs into doubt. After discussion the Northern League determined that they would continue to play and the Jackals resumed their championship quest against the Elmira Pioneers on September 17. In a five-game series, New Jersey emerged victorious and advanced to the Northern League Championship Series against the Winnipeg Goldeyes, whom they defeated in four games to win their second league championship.
2002
The 2002 Jackals season was historic on two fronts. The first historic moment came when Jeremy Callier threw a no-hitter on August 28 against the Berkshire Black Bears, requiring a home run by Ryan Kane in the bottom of the ninth inning to make it official.
The second piece of team history saw the Jackals set a team record for victories, finishing with 62 to lead the league.
In the playoffs, however, the Jackals had problems. In the first round, they took the first two against Elmira before the Pioneers won the next two to tie the series. The Jackals emerged victorious in five games.
Then, in the Northern League East Championship Series against Adirondack, the Jackals were down to their final out in Game 5 trailing 2–1 when Dave Callahan hit a double with the bases loaded to score all three runners and give the team a 4–2 victory. The Jackals capped it off with their second straight victory over Winnipeg in the Northern League Championship Series, defeating the Goldeyes 3 games to 1.
2003
2003 saw two major changes for the Jackals. First George Tsamis resigned to take the managerial position with the St. Paul Saints, New Jersey hired Gary SouthShore RailCats manager Joe Calfapietra to take his place. The second saw the end of the merger with the Northern League, as the Northeast League once again became its own entity. The Jackals finished 52–37 and returned to the playoffs for a third consecutive year by winning both halves of the season in their division, but were dispatched in the first round by the eventual league champion Brockton Rox.
2004
In 2004, New Jersey improved their record to what was then the team's second-best showing in its history, winning 54 games and losing 29. However, the first half of the season required saw the Jackals end in a tie with the New Haven County Cutters, requiring a one-game playoff which New Jersey won for their fifth consecutive half-season victory. The Jackals pulled away in the second half with a 28–18 record, winning both halves for a third straight year.
The Jackals beat the Bangor Lumberjacks in the opening round of the playoffs, then found themselves in trouble against the North Shore Spirit in the league championship series. Trailing two games to none and down late in the third game, the Jackals rallied for an extra inning victory. They duplicated the feat the next day in Game 4 to tie the series, and then won the fifth and deciding game to take the Northeast League Championship. It would be the fourth league championship for the Jackals, but would be their last for over a decade.
2005
In 2005 the Jackals joined the 8-team Can-Am League but failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2000 despite posting a winning record of 48–44. Outfielder Zach Smithlin led the league with 135 hits and a .358 batting average, while second baseman Ricardo Cordova also topped .350 and was named to the All-Star team. Pitcher Joel Bennett recorded a 2.68 ERA and an 11–2 record in his abbreviated season and also garnered All-Star consideration.
2006
2006 saw another history-making performance as Aaron Myers threw the second no-hitter in team history, but New Jersey again missed the playoffs and—with a 43–48 record—finished with only their second losing record in team history. The Jackals’ major bright spot was veteran minor league John Lindsey, who led the team in home runs but was signed away from the team in the second half of the season. Joel Bennett and Raul Valdes both led the Jackals in wins with seven, while Isaac Pavlik and Joe Orloski each recorded six.
2007
The Jackals returned to the playoffs as they won the Can-Am League First Half Championship in 2007 with a 31–15 record, guaranteeing them a spot in the playoffs. Their 31 wins in the first half still mark a franchise best in the first half, and second most in a half (32 in 2002). The Jackals' second half was not as strong, as they finished in last place with an 18–29 record. New Jersey took the Nashua Pride to a fifth game at Yogi Berra Stadium in their best-of-five series before losing and getting knocked out.
The Jackals’ leading hitter was returning catcher Sandy Madera, who hit .364 with 21 home runs and 75 RBI. Zach Smithlin stole 33 bases, marking the fourth consecutive year where he recorded at least 25.
After the season, Joel Bennett retired from professional baseball. He finished his final season with a 3–2 record.
2008
The Jackals missed the playoffs in 2008, finishing 43–51.
In a ceremony prior to their game on August 22 vs. the Brockton Rox, the Jackals retired pitcher Joel Bennett’s number 28.
The Jackals total attendance in 2008 was 103,817. Averaging 2,209 per game.
2009
New Jersey was able to ride a CanAm League record 14 game winning streak to a First Half Championship in 2009 with a 28–19 record, once again guaranteeing the team a playoff spot. The Jackals won 27 games in the second half for a total of 55, the second most in team history. Despite that, New Jersey was eliminated from the playoffs by the Worcester Tornadoes.
2010
In 2010, the Jackals slipped in the first half, finishing fourth with a 19–27 record. The team battled back to a 23–23 record in the second half, beating out the Worcester Tornadoes by 0.5 game for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Jackals were swept by Quebec three games to none in the opening round.
2011
The Jackals finished the regular season 57–36, the second most season wins in franchise history behind the 62 wins the 2002 team put up. Despite an impressive record, the Jackals were unable to win either half of the regular season (Quebec won both halves), and finished second of the eight teams.
On July 30, the Jackals retired Zack Smithlin's #4 jersey in a pregame ceremony.
Jackals pitcher Isaac Pavlik made a close run for the pitching triple crown, finishing the regular season atop the league in wins and strikeouts, but third in ERA.
The Jackals defeated the Pittsfield Colonials to advance to the Can-Am League Championship Series, losing again to Quebec.
2012
The Jackals completed the season second overall with a 59–41 record. They once again faced the Capitales in the championship series, which was extended to a best-of-seven, but again lost.
Jackals 3B Nick Giarraputo was named the Can-Am League's 2012 Player of the Year.
2013
The Jackals finished at 55–44, in second place. Quebec loomed in the league championship series again, and the Jackals rallied from three games to one down to force a seventh game which the Capitales won.
2014
With the Newark Bears ceasing operations after the 2013 season, the Can-Am League was down to just 4 teams for 2014. The New Jersey Jackals, Rockland Boulders, Trois-Rivières Aigles, & Québec Capitales.
More inter-league play with American Association kept the Can-Am afloat, while allowing the league to maintain its own separate identity.
The Jackals hosted the St. Paul Saints, Winnipeg Goldeyes, & Lincoln Saltdogs going 4–5.
The Winnipeg Goldeyes returned to Yogi Berra Stadium on June 17, 2014, for the first time since losing the Northern League Championship to NJ on September 21, 2002. A span of 4,287 days between games.
Jackals manager Joe Calfapietra recorded his 700th managerial win on July 7, a 4–3 victory over the Capitales at Stade Municipal.
NJ visited the Sioux Falls Canaries, St. Paul Saints, & Winnipeg Goldeyes in August. Going 5–4 on the road trip.
On August 25, the Jackals eliminated rival Québec Capitales (winners of 5 consecutive League Championships) & earned themselves a 13th postseason appearance in 17 years with a 7–3 home victory. The Jackals finished one game behind the Boulders with a 55–41 record.
New Jersey lost its fourth consecutive league championship series, falling in six games to Rockland after winning the first two at home.
9/3 – Jackals 3, Boulders 2
9/4 – Jackals 3, Boulders 2
9/5 – Boulders 5, Jackals 4
9/6 – Boulders 8, Jackals 7 10 Innings
9/7 – Boulders 14, Jackals 4
9/8 – Boulders 4, Jackals 0
(Rockland wins series 4–2)
The Jackals total attendance in 2014 was 76,423. Averaging 1,661 per game.
2015
In 2015 the Sussex County Miners & the Ottawa Champions were added to the Can-Am League.
The Garden State Grays played 60 games, & the Shikoku Island League All-Stars played 16 games.
The Jackals finished third in the league with a 54–43 in 2015, earning a playoff spot for the 7th consecutive season. New Jersey defeated Quebec for the first time in a post season series.
9/9 Jackals 4, Quebec 3
9/11 Quebec 4, Jackals 3
9/12 Quebec 11, Jackals 5
9/13 Jackals 5, Quebec 2
9/15 Jackals 5, Quebec 4
(NJ wins series 3–2)
NJ earns a fifth straight trip to the League Championship Series.
The Jackals fell to Trois-Rivières in 5 games, losing their fifth straight CanAm League championship series.
9/16 Aigles 12, Jackals 0
9/17 Jackals 8, Aigles 6
9/18 Aigles 7, Jackals 3
9/19 Jackals 7, Aigles 5
9/20 Aigles 2, Jackals 1
(Aigles wins series 3–2)
Despite winning 4 of the franchise's first five trips to a league championship, the Jackals were winless in their last five.
On July 17, 2015, the Jackals participated in the 1st ever Can-Am League Cooperstown Classic at Historic Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY. New Jersey defeated the host Rockland Boulders 9–1. Winning pitcher, Brian Ernst.
Combining the regular & post seasons, NJ plays a team record 107 games in 2015.
The Jackals total attendance in 2015 was 78,913. Averaging 1,578 per game.
2016
In the 2016 season, the Jackals finished in first place with a 62–38 record, which tied the team record for victories in a season.
However, they lost in the opening round to the Ottawa Champions:
9/7 – Jackals 11, Ottawa 2
9/8 – Ottawa 4, Jackals 3
9/9 – Ottawa 8, Jackals 3
9/10 – Ottawa 7, Jackals 2
(Ottawa wins series 3–1)
First baseman Art Charles, however, set league records in slugging percentage, extra base hits and total bases en route to being named the 2016 Baseball America Independent Leagues Player of the Year. [5]
Jackals manager Joe Calfapietra recorded his 800th managerial win on June 6, a 19–3 victory over the Sussex County Miners at Skylands Stadium.
Jackals played the Cuban National Team in a 3-series at Yogi Berra Stadium, on June 27–29. [6]
G1 Cuba 9 Jackals 4 (7inning game)
G2 Jackals 3 Cuba 1
G3 Jackals 5 Cuba 3
New Jersey sets a Can-Am Team record with 46 triples in a season.
The Jackals total attendance in 2016 was 74,335. Averaging 1,652 per game. The lowest ever for the NJ franchise.
After the 2016 season, manager Joe Calfapietra announced he was leaving the team after fourteen seasons to take over the managerial position with the American Association's Kansas City T-Bones.
2017
The team's bench coach, Matt Padgett, was promoted to manager in February 2017.
Al Dorso purchases the Jackals franchise in May 2017. To be operated as University Sports and Entertainment, LLC.
The Jackals begin their 20th season on May 18, 2017, with an 8–4 victory over Quebec at Yogi Berra Stadium.
NJ swept a 3-game series from a Dominican Republic squad in June. They also swept 4 from the Cuban National Team in their second appearance at Yogi Berra Stadium.
The Jackals finished at 55–45 & qualified for the playoffs for the 16th time in 20 seasons, but were eliminated by the club's fierce rival Rockland Boulders in the opening round:
9/7 – Boulders 3, Jackals 1
9/8 – Boulders 5, Jackals 0
9/9 – Jackals 7, Boulders 1
9/10 – Boulders 9, Jackals 1
(Rockland wins series 3–1)
During the 2017 season, pitcher Johnny Hellweg signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and first baseman Conrad Gregor signed with the Boston Red Sox organization.
On July 20, 2017, the Jackals recorded their 1,000th regular season win. A 9–3 victory over Trois-Rivieres. Winning pitcher, Isaac Pavlik. [7]
On August 2, 2017, Isaac Pavlik records his 1,000th career strikeout as a Jackal, during an 8–2 victory over Ottawa. [8]
The Jackals total attendance in 2017 was 91,892. Averaging 1,767 per game.
After the 2017 season, Jackals Manager Matt Padgett announced he was not returning in 2018. The team announced on December 18, 2017, that his replacement would be Brooks Carey, who had spent the previous five seasons managing the Normal CornBelters of the Frontier League.
2018
In 2018 the Jackals finished the year with a 50–52 record. Their first losing season since 2010 ending their run of 9 consecutive post season appearances.
In a game started on May 31 and completed on July 5, NJ hits a CanAm record 7 home runs en route to a 23–8 victory over Ottawa.
On August 7, in game starting at 8:51pm, Eduar Lopez tossed the 3rd no-hitter in franchise history as the Jackals defeated the Ottawa Champions, 5–0. He faced 28 batters, 1BB, 4K's, 92 pitches. [9]
The Jackals total attendance in 2018 was 83,610. Averaging 1,706 per game.
2019
The CanAm League commemorated its 15th season in 2019.
The Jackals opened their 22nd season in Ottawa on May 17, with a 10 inning 6–5 victory.
They won their 2019 Home opener on May 24 vs. the Trois-Rivières Aigles by a score of 4–1.
The Can-Am International Series continued in 2019. NJ played the Shikoku Island Independents & Cuban National Team for the 3rd time.
On July 3 the Jackals played in their 2,000th regular season game. Recording a 12–8 victory over Quebec @ YBS.
Following their August 23 victory over Ottawa, the Jackals qualified for their 17th post season appearance in their 22-year history.
In a ceremony before their game on August 24 the Jackals officially unveiled their POW/MIA Chair of Honor. A POW/MIA Chair of Honor is an empty seat that serves as a symbol to remind everyone to never forget our servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice. The team partnered with Rolling Thunder, Inc. in the dedication. [10]
In a ceremony prior to their August 29 game, vs. the Sussex County Miners, the Jackals officially retired Isaac Pavlik's number 7.
Jackals OF Alfredo Marte was named the Can-Am League's 2019 Player of the Year.
Conrad Gregor had 49 stolen bases & 82 Walks during the 2019 season, both new team records.
NJ set a new team record with 142 Stolen Bases in 2019.
NJ finished the Can-Am regular season in 3rd place with a record of 48–46.
In the opening round of the playoffs, the Jackals defeated the Trois-Rivières Aigles.
9/4 Jackals 3, Aigles 0 @ YBS
9/5 Aigles 5, Jackals 0 @ YBS
9/6 Jackals 7, Aigles 2 @ TR
9/7 Aigles 17, Jackals 4 @ TR
9/8 Jackals 4, Aigles 3, 10 Innings @ TR
(NJ wins series 3–2)
Jackals advanced to the Can-Am League Championship Series vs. the Sussex County Miners and defeated them 3–1 to earn their first championship in 15 years.
9/10 Jackals 3, Miners 2, 10 Innings @ YBS
9/12 Miners 12, Jackals 3 @ YBS
9/13 Jackals 2, Miners 0 @ Skylands Stadium
9/14, Jackals 8, Miners 7 @ Skylands Stadium
Win 1st Can-Am League Championship, 5th team Championship.
The New Jersey Jackals franchise now has won championships in 3 different independent leagues:
(2) Northeast League 1998, 2004 (2) Northern League 2001, 2002 (1) Can-Am League 2019
The Jackals total attendance in 2019 was 76,658. Averaging 1,742 per game.
2020: Frontier League era, COVID-19 and pivot to All-American Baseball Challenge
On October 16, 2019, it was announced the New Jersey Jackals joined the 14 team Frontier League, along with the New York Boulders, Québec Capitales, Sussex County Miners and Trois-Rivières Aigles. [11] They planned to play in the 7 team Can-Am Division with the Lake Erie Crushers and Washington Wild Things. [12] The merger created the largest league in all of Independent Professional Baseball. [13] The Jackals were scheduled to open their inaugural Frontier League season on the road May 14 vs. the Florence Y'alls, with their home opener was scheduled for May 22 vs. the Québec Capitales. On April 1, 2020, the Frontier League officially delayed the scheduled start of their 2020 season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 24, 2020, the Frontier League announced that the 2020 championship season was suspended due to ongoing gathering and travel restrictions in many locations.
On July 14, 2020, the Jackals announced the 6-team All-American Baseball Challenge for the 2020 season. Initially, a 32 game, 8-week regular season was reported, [14] but as games not played due to inclement weather were canceled, teams wound up playing fewer games. All games were scheduled for 7 innings and held on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Jackals and the Jersey Wise Guys played at Yogi Berra Stadium. The Sussex County Miners and Skylands Cardinals played at Skylands Stadium, Rockland Boulders and New York Brave playing at Palisades Credit Union Park. On July 23, the Jackals defeated the Jersey Wise Guys 10–3 to open the season. The Jackals finished the regular season 12–10 finishing in 3rd place. They won their first playoff game in Rockland over the Boulders by a score of 11–2. On September 12, the Jackals won the Championship by defeating the New York Brave 3–2 at Yogi Berra Stadium.
2021: First Frontier League season
In 2021, the New Jersey Jackals played their 24th consecutive season, their first as a member of the 14 team Frontier League. They were one of three teams in the Northeast Division of the Can-Am Conference along with the Sussex County Miners and Washington Wild Things. They also played the conference’s Atlantic Division teams, Équipe Québec, New York Boulders, and Tri-City ValleyCats. The Florence Y'alls were their only Midwestern conference opponent. Their inaugural games were victories on the road May 27 and at home on May 29, both against the New York Boulders. The Jackals missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018, finishing with a 39–56 record. The Jackals' total attendance in 2021 was 43,722. Averaging 1,041 per game.
2022
In 2022, the Jackals played their 25th season. Their season began on May 13 where they defeated the Evansville Otters 9–5 on the road. [15] On September 2, pitcher Jorge Tavarez threw the fourth no-hitter in team history. This came on a 147 pitch effort in a 7–1 victory against rival Sussex County Miners at Skylands Stadium. Tavarez also set a new franchise record with 142 strikeouts in a season. [16] The Jackals set a franchise record with 127 home runs, led by outfielder Josh Rehwaldt who hit 29 home runs tying the franchise season record. [17] Shortstop Santiago Chirino, became the new Frontier League leader with 140 career doubles and 440 runs scored. The club missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season finishing with a 45–49 record. The Jackals total attendance in 2022 was 51,333. Averaging 1,007 per game, the lowest in franchise history at Yogi Berra Stadium.
On September 14, 2022, the Jackals announced that they would move to the newly renovated and former Negro leagues ballpark, Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson for the 2023 season, ending 25 years at Yogi Berra Stadium. [18] [19]
2023
On November 7, 2022, P. J. Phillips was announced as manager. [20] The Jackals made their Hinchliffe Stadium debut on May 21, where they defeated the Sussex County Miners 10–6. [21] Phillips led the Jackals to a 60–35 regular season record, ending a two year playoff drought. In the playoffs, the Jackals defeated the Sussex County Miners in the East Division Wild Card Game 5–0. In the East Divisional Series the Jackals would fall to the eventual champions Québec Capitales 2 games to 1. The Jackals total attendance in 2023 was 36,971. Averaging 725 per game, the lowest in franchise history. [22]
2024
On October 16, 2023, John Hunt was named General Manager. [23] On February 20, 2024, Albert Gonzalez was named manager. [24]
