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Sock Puppets Release 2023 Roster

With 7 returning players from 2022 season, 26 players ranked in tops of their state, 2023 Sock Puppets roster looks tough to beat.
May 4, 2023

Burlington, NC. The Burlington Sock Puppets unveiled their initial 2023 Summer Roster today, which looks to be loaded with high-potential talent. More talent is coming to Sockville coming off of a 38-win season in 2022 that saw the Sock Puppets win the East Division and finish runner-up in the MLB

Sock Puppets release 2023 promotional schedule

Loaded with four specialty jerseys, six firework shows, multiple giveaways and MORE!
April 4, 2023

BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The third year of the Burlington Sock Puppets, presented by visitalamance.com is shaping up to be special. Today, the club announced their featured promotions for the 2023 summer season. Promotions include four specialty jerseys, six firework shows, a second iteration of a Socksquatch Bobblehead, t-shirt giveaways and

Sock Puppets announce 2023 on-field staff

Sockville to return four on-field staff members, add one, as it looks to build on last year's success
March 30, 2023

BURLINGTON, N.C. -- As the spring collegiate season is well underway, the Sock Puppets are gearing up for another championship run in 2023. The club announced its on-field staff that features four returning members, and one highly-exciting new addition. Anthony Essien, who was announced in February he was returning for

Appalachian League's 2023 managers set to take the helm

February 21, 2023

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Over the last several weeks, Appalachian League teams have announced their managers for the 2023 season. That group includes four brand-new faces with more than 150 years of combined experience in professional baseball. Former big league manager John McLaren, along with Dennis Cook, Bill Kinneberg and

Appalachian League participates in MLK Day of Service 

January 18, 2023

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian League executives participated in the 28th annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2023, volunteering in nine communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Tabbed as a “day on, not a day off” to celebrate the life and legacy of the Civil

Sock Puppets announce staff changes

Club makes three internal promotions, one new hire as it prepares for 2023
January 18, 2023

BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The Burlington Sock Puppets have a few familiar faces getting much-deserved promotions, and have made one new hire to the Front Office Staff. The 2022 Appalachian League Organization of the Year announced today that the once full-time staff count of two (in 2021) is now jumping to

Sock Puppets run it back with Essien as manager

Anthony Essien to return for third season, first full season as manager
January 9, 2023

BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The 2022 season had a bunch of accolades for the Burlington Sock Puppets; won the Organization of the Year, hosted the MLB Network Televised All-Star Game, won the East Division and hosted the 2022 Championship Game, broke the single-game attendance record, to name just a few. Now,

Appalachian League celebrates 2022 charitable contributions

December 20, 2022

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the league’s charitable outreach grew to more than $3.4 million of gift-in-kind and monetary donations this year. Additionally, the league and its clubs volunteered more than 11,000 hours of community service. The league’s reach impacts the towns and cities their 10

​​Appalachian League elects two to Hall of Fame

CC Sabathia, Jim Leyland headline 2022 class
December 13, 2022

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Appalachian League announced two new members have been elected to the Appalachian League Hall of Fame. The 2022 HOF Class included former Major League pitcher CC Sabathia and former Major League manager Jim Leyland. "It is truly an honor to announce our 2022 class of

Appy League adds Justin Morgenstern as director of player personnel

October 7, 2022

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Morgenstern as the new director of player personnel. Morgenstern joins the Appalachian League from the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was an area scout since 2016. Morgenstern spent his first three years with the organization covering

Burlington Sock Puppets named Appalachian League Organization of the Year

August 29, 2022

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that the Burlington Sock Puppets are the 2022 Organization of the Year. This award is given to the club that exemplifies the standards of the complete baseball franchise, based upon franchise stability, contributions to the league stability, contributions to baseball in the

Appalachian League announces Humanitarian of the Year nominees

August 22, 2022

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 10 nominees for its 2022 Humanitarian of the Year award. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season through

2022 All-Appalachian League Team announced

Bluefield's Jackson Feltner and Burlington's Mason Ruh highlight All-Appy League Team
August 18, 2022

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 2022 All-Appalachian League Team. The honorees were nominated and voted on by the league’s managers. The All-Appalachian League Team is highlighted by Bluefield’s Jackson Feltner, who was named Player of the Year, and Burlington’s Mason Ruh, who earned Pitcher of the

Ruh named Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year

Sock Puppets pitcher Mason Ruh finished season 6-0 with a 2.66 ERA
August 16, 2022

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that Burlington's Mason Ruh (Northern Illinois) was named the Pitcher of the Year. Ruh went 6-0 with one save in 18 appearances (four starts) for the Sock Puppets this summer. Ruh finished the season with a 2.66 ERA and 56 strikeouts in

Kingsport beats Burlington, claims 2022 Appy League title

Ryan Murphy earns Championship Game MVP
August 9, 2022

BURLINGTON, N.C. — The Kingsport Axmen defeated the Burlington Sock Puppets, 5-2, on Monday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium to win the 2022 Appalachian League Championship. The Axmen built an early 5-0 lead and relied on pitchers Ryan Murphy (James Madison) and Andrew Lindsey (Tennessee) the rest of the way.

McCrystal, Tarbert earn final 2022 Appalachian League weekly honors

Ryan McCrystal and Roan Tarbert were named Appy League Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively
August 8, 2022

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Burlington's Ryan McCrystal (East Carolina) and Greeneville's Roan Tarbert (East Georgia State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of August 1-6, respectively. McCrystal hit .550 with one home run and eight RBI in five games for the Burlington

McCrystal, Wohlgemuth earn Appalachian League monthly honors 

Ryan McCrystal and Nate Wohlgemuth were named Appy League Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively
August 4, 2022

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Burlington's Ryan McCrystal (East Carolina) and Bluefield's Nate Wohlgemuth (Rogers State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Month of July, respectively. McCrystal hit .410 with three home runs and 31 RBI in 22 July games for the Burlington Sock

Johnson Jr. hits walk-off single, East tops West at 2022 Appy League All-Star Game

July 27, 2022

BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The East defeated the West, 6-5, at the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance on Tuesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After Greeneville's Brock Daniels (Missouri) hit a game-tying two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, Danville's RJ Johnson Jr

Roster announced for 2022 Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance

The Visit Alamance All-Star Game is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 26, in Burlington, N.C.
July 20, 2022

The Appalachian League announced the rosters for the second Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance. The rosters will feature 44 of the league's top players from the East and West Divisions, as nominated and voted on by the league's managers. The Visit Alamance All-Star Game is scheduled to

Zaborowski, Cumming earn Appalachian League weekly honors

Ryland Zaborowski and Dylan Cumming were named Appy League Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively
July 11, 2022

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Pulaski's Ryland Zaborowski (Miami University) and Burlington's Dylan Cumming (Liberty) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of July 4-10, respectively. Zaborowski hit .538 (7-for-13) with three home runs and 12 RBI in four games played for the Pulaski

Visit Alamance presents the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game

Sockingly different two-day event set for July 25-26
July 7, 2022

BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The Burlington Sock Puppets will host the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star presented by Visit Alamance on July 25 and 26. The two-day event at Burlington Athletic Stadium will feature a Fan Fest and Skills Competition on Monday and the All-Star Game on Tuesday. The Visit Alamance All-Star

Owusu-Asiedu, Cumming earn Appalachian League weekly honors

Avery Owusu-Asiedu and Dylan Cumming were named Appy League Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively
July 7, 2022

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Elizabethton's Avery Owusu-Asiedu (SIU Edwardsville) and Burlington's Dylan Cumming (Liberty) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of June 27-July 3, respectively. Owusu-Asiedu hit .500 (12-for-24) with two home runs and eight RBI in five games played for the

Feltner, Cooper claim Appalachian League monthly honors 

Jackson Feltner and Trey Cooper were named Appy League Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively
July 1, 2022

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield's Jackson Feltner (Morehead State) and Burlington's Trey Cooper (NC State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Month of June, respectively. Feltner hit .372 with four home runs and 22 RBI in 24 games played for the Bluefield Ridge

St. Laurent, Holmes earn Appalachian League weekly honors

Austin St. Laurent and Jackson Holmes were named Appy League Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively
June 27, 2022

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Burlington's Austin St. Laurent (Appalachian State) and Elizabethton's Jackson Holmes (Saint Louis) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of June 20-26, respectively. St. Laurent hit .615 (8-for-13) with two home runs and nine RBI in four games played