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The Lowell Spinners are an amateur baseball team based in Lowell, Massachusetts, set to begin play in the summer of 2026. A former professional baseball team, also based in Lowell, was previously known by the same name.
The professional team was founded in 1996, after the Elmira Pioneers moved to Lowell. From 1996 to 2020, the Spinners were members of Minor League Baseball's New York–Penn League (NYPL) as the Class A Short Season affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. For the 1996 and 1997 seasons, the Spinners played at Stoklosa Alumni Field; from 1998 onward, they played at Edward A. LeLacheur Park. "Franchise History". MiLB.com. Accessed September 9, 2016. With Major League Baseball's reorganization of the minor leagues after the 2020 season, Lowell was not selected to continue in affiliated baseball, which resulted in the team folding.
In November 2025, a revival of the Spinners name, with a new team under new ownership, was announced—the team plans to begin play in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate summer baseball team, in 2026.
After Clyde Smoll Jr. (who bought the Elmira team in 1986 and was the son of former major league pitcher Clyde Smoll) brought the team to Lowell in 1996, Drew Weber was the team owner from 1997 until June 2016, when the franchise was purchased by Dave Heller.
The Spinners set a minor-league record in the 2000 season, as they sold every home ticket for every home game. "Spinners' sellout streak ends at 413". The Lowell Sun. September 1, 2010. Accessed September 9, 2016. This began a streak of sold-out home games. The streak was broken on August 30, 2010, at 413 games.
On August 21, 2003, the Spinners sponsored a Jack Kerouac bobblehead giveaway.McConville, Christine. "Kerouac fans hit road for free dolls". Boston.com. August 22, 2003. Accessed September 9, 2016. Kerouac was a Lowell native, and played football for Lowell High School.Shanahan, Mark, and Meredith Goldstein. "Jack Kerouac gets a new bobblehead in Lowell". Boston Globe. June 27, 2012. Accessed September 9, 2016. The bobblehead was accepted by Cooperstown in 2005, the first time a literary icon was accepted there.Perry, David. "He's on the Road...to Cooperstown!". Umass Lowell. Originally published by The Lowell Sun Online, May 5, 2005. Accessed September 9, 2016. The bobbleheads were so popular that many more were made than originally intended, raised $10,000 for the Jack Kerouac Scholarship Fund. The enshrinement also made media headlines as far away as Los Angeles.Ulin, David L. "On the Road to Cooperstown". Los Angeles Times. May 23, 2005. Accessed September 9, 2016.
The giveaway was repeated on August 7, 2012, when the film adaptation of On the Road was released. The dolls had a bobble head as well as a "bobble arm." "Jack is BACK: Kerouac Double Bobble August 7". MiLB.com. June 26, 2012. Accessed September 9, 2016. The bobbleheads were also available online for ordering, and as the game was sponsored by the UMass Lowell English Department, their departmental scholarships received the proceeds from the online orders. "Kerouac Bobble Head Night: Lowell Spinners vs. Brooklyn Cyclones". Lowell Celebrates Kerouac!. August 21, 2012. Accessed September 9, 2016. A third Kerouac bobblehead, featuring Kerouac in his Lowell High football uniform, was given out on July 25, 2013. "Spinners Bobble Head History". MiLB.com. Accessed September 9, 2016.
In 2005, the Spinners created the "Yankees Elimination Program." The team offered to pay for the uniforms of all Little League and youth softball teams in New England to change teams named after the major-league rival Yankees into Spinners. Over the next five years, 150 teams in New England made the switch. The Spinners also invited the youth teams to play at LaLecheur Park, and assisted in other fundraising initiative for those teams. In 2010, the program was limited to 75 teams on a first-come, first-served basis, and it was estimated that over $70,000 had been donated to youth baseball and softball programs through the initiative. Spinners VP and GM Tim Bawmann said, “The Yankees Elimination Promotion was originally built as a fun promotion in response to parents' stories of children losing interest in the game after facing taunts simply for playing in a Yankees uniform.”
On September 1, 2008, the Spinners reached the New York–Penn League playoffs for the first time, capturing the Stedler Division title. They were defeated in the playoffs by the Batavia Muckdogs. The Spinners reached the playoffs again in 2009, but lost to the Staten Island Yankees.
In October 2014, the Red Sox agreed to extend their player development contract with the Spinners for two more years through the 2016 season.Bollinger, Rhett. RedSoxMLB.com – Red Sox, Lowell extend player development deal through '16 "Red Sox, Lowell extend player development deal through '16". MLB.com. October 2, 2014. Accessed September 9, 2016. In November 2015, the contract was extended again through the 2018 season. "Spinners, Red Sox extend affiliation deal". Ballparkdigest.com. November 10, 2015. Accessed September 9, 2016.
In the 2016 season, the Spinners ended with a franchise-best record of 47 wins, and tied their record for home wins (25). Right fielder Tyler Hill won the NYPL batting title, and he and third baseman Bobby Dalbec became the first Spinners players to win Player of the Month awards. The Spinners won the Stedler Division title, but were swept by the Hudson Valley Renegades in the semifinals, 2–0. "Renegades Sweep Ends Spinners Season". MiLB.com. September 8, 2016. Accessed September 9, 2016. Pitching prospect Jason Groome made his first start for the team in the playoffs, after being promoted from the Gulf Coast League Red Sox.Smith, Christopher. "Jason Groome, Michael Kopech, Boston Red Sox two top pitching prospects, to make playoff starts". Masslive.com. September 7, 2016. Accessed September 9, 2016. The team was sold to Main Street Baseball in 2016, which they owned until 2020.
In 2019, the Spinners finished first in their division, then defeated the Batavia Muckdogs (2 games to 1) in the semifinals, to advance to the league championship series against the Brooklyn Cyclones. The Spinners were defeated in the finals (2 games to 1), with Brooklyn winning the deciding third game of the series by a 4–3 score. As with all minor league teams, the Spinners did not play during 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The of the Spinners were Canaligator, Allie-Gator, and Millie-Gator. They were introduced on January 19, 1996; July 8, 1999; and Opening Day 2006, respectively. "Meet the Spinners Mascot Family". MiLB.com. Accessed September 9, 2016.
On December 9, 2020, the Red Sox announced that they were dropping the Spinners as an affiliate, as "a reduction to 120 teams has been proposed as the standard beginning in 2021." Red Sox president Sam Kennedy stated that the Red Sox were "committed to maintaining the 24-year-long tradition of baseball in the Lowell community.” Spinners management, local government officials, and the Red Sox committed to exploring options to keep baseball in Lowell for 2021. However, at the time the minor league season began in early May 2021, no actions or plans had been announced.
2021 restructuring of Minor League Baseball
After the 2019 season, Major League Baseball (MLB) proposed dramatic changes to Minor League Baseball (MiLB) that would take effect at the end of the 2020 season, following expiration of the agreement governing the MLB–MiLB relationship. MLB's proposal included reducing the number of minor league teams from 160 to 120—the Spinners were included on the list of teams that could be eliminated under the proposal.
2026 planned revival
In November 2025, it was announced that a new team named the Spinners, operating under new ownership, would begin play as a Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL) team in 2026.
Broadcasting
Spinners games were broadcast on Lowell Talk radio station WCAP. For the 2007 season they were on WLLH, another Lowell AM radio station, which at the time was an ESPN Radio affiliate. The games returned to WCAP the next season.
Yearly team records
Records as the Boston Red Sox affiliate in the New York–Penn League from 1996 to 2020.
Source:
Lost to Batavia Muckdogs 2–1 in semifinals Lost to Staten Island 2–1 in semifinals Lost to Hudson Valley 2–0 in semifinals Defeated Batavia Muckdogs 2–1 in semifinals
Lost to Brooklyn 2–1 in final
Notable alumni
Select alumni are listed in this section; a full list of Spinners players who appeared in the major leagues, with their debut dates, was maintained on the team website.
Further reading
External links
Categories: Lowellspinners.com Official Website, 1996 Establishments In Massachusetts, 2020 Disestablishments In Massachusetts, Baseball Teams Established In 1996, Baseball Teams Disestablished In 2020, Spinners, Boston Red Sox Minor League Affiliates, New York–penn League Teams, Professional Baseball Teams In Massachusetts, Defunct Minor League Baseball Teams
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