Upstate NY gets another championship

2010 has been a momentus, unprecedented year in minor league professional sports for New York's Capital Region.

First, in early July, the Albany Legends completed a historic first season in the International Basketball League (IBL) by winning the league title in dominating fashion. The public and the news media, who'd been by and large indifferent towards the Legends all season, turned out in droves.

Tonight, the Tri-City Valleycats wrapped up a worst-to-first run to the NY-Penn League championship, overcoming two nights of rain to defeat the Brooklyn Cyclones, 5-1, to win their first NYPL title. After being the dregs of the NYPL's Stedler Division the last three years, the 'Cats won their 3rd division title in the last 7 years, and advanced to their 3rd championship series in that same span. When it comes to the post-season, it seems the 'Cats have had the Cyclones' number, as they also eliminated Brooklyn 4 years ago, only to lose to the Staten Island Yankees in the championship round. Even though the top story on the local news will be about the political primaries not only in-state, but across the country, the Valleycats will most certainly be up there in priority as well.

The high player turnover in minor league baseball means that a new set of players will defend the NYPL title next year, and the process will start all over again. That's just the way it is, but for the 'Cats' organization and their devoted fan base, this was well worth the wait. Congratulations on a job well done!