The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have announced that former Blue Crabs catcher and most recently, Lancaster Barnstormers hitting coach, Lance Burkhart, has been named the third Blue Crabs manager in franchise history.
Burkhart was named to manage the Blue Crabs as the handpicked successor to Patrick Osborn, it was announced today by general manager Patrick Day. Osborn signed with the New York Yankees organization on December 19th to manage one of their organizations’ Gulf Coast League affiliates.
Burkhart joins the Blue Crabs after serving in Lancaster as the hitting coach under former Blue Crabs manager, Butch Hobson.
“I’m real happy for Lance, he’s been patient, and his opportunity is finally here,” said Lancaster Barnstormers manager Butch Hobson. “We’re going to miss him in Lancaster, but he’s going to do wonderful things. He’s a baseball guy with the perfect mind for the sport.”
Burkhart, 39, was drafted in the 15th round of 1997 MLB draft by the Montreal Expos. The former right-handed hitting catcher joined the Barnstormers in 2005 after spending time in the Montreal, Texas, Baltimore, and Milwaukee minor league systems. With the Barnstormers, Burkhart amassed 61 regular season home runs, which still stands as the club’s all-time record.
In 2009, the St. Louis, Missouri native joined the Blue Crabs. Serving as the primary backstop, Burkhart hit .242 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI for the Liberty Division Champion Blue Crabs.
In his four seasons as the Lancaster hitting coach, the Barnstormers offense had a .281 batting average and averaged nearly 150 home runs and 700 runs scored per season. All amongst the tops of the Atlantic League.
“It’s a dream come true for me to move into the managerial position in Southern Maryland,” said Blue Crabs manager Lance Burkhart. “I’m familiar with the team and the organization because I played here a few years back. I was always fond of my time here as a player, and I’m looking incredibly forward to spending a good amount of time here as a manager. I’m very excited to meet the fans, the front office members, all of the booster club members, and my new team. I can’t wait for Opening Day!”
Southern Maryland has compiled a 369-329 record, during the franchise’s first seven seasons and has compiled five consecutive playoff appearances.
The Blue Crabs play 140 regular season games in the Atlantic League, considered the highest level of Minor League Baseball. Atlantic League players are “Major League ready” and in the last 15 years, over 600 players have graduated from Atlantic League clubs to Major League organizations, making the League a preferred route for experienced players to be scouted by Major League Baseball. The Blue Crabs play at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland. The franchise will look to open its 7th season on Thursday, April 24, 2014. Please call 301-638-9788 or visit www.SOMDbluecrabs.com for more information and to save your seat at the ballpark today!
