Portsmouth Explorers

• Location: Portsmouth, OH
• League: Frontier League
• Affiliation: Independent
• Ballpark: Branch Rickey Stadium

Team History

The first professional baseball team in Portsmouth, OH in 43 years, the Portsmouth Explorers were charter members of the Frontier League in 1993. The Explorers were the brainchild of local community leader Steve Sturgill who headed a group of local businessmen investors committed to making the franchise, and the league, a marketable success. They were also the first team to introduce a mascot to the league, Portsmouth Rosie. Porstmouth's first coach was Keith Throckmorton (out of Marshall University) The team went 20-31 and was led by Jeff Brown (7-5, 3.26) and Steve Buso (.332, .497 slugging).

Portsmouth retained its local ownership but struggled in 1994 as well, with a 24-38 record under manager Ralph Cole. The club did have two All-Stars - 2B Dan Bartolomeo (.341) and outfielder Joe Miller (a league-leading .402 average).

In 1995 the group of local businessmen who started the team sold it to John Ryan, owner of Action Marketing from Detroit, MI. Ryan professionalized the management of the team and kept it in Portsmouth for the entirety of this season. He named one of his advertising executives, Steve Sonnett, to be the team's first full-time General Manager. He also hired locals Ryan Taylor and Pat Rigsby to serve as the team's first full-time Assistant General Managers. In addition, Dick King, an old and respected baseball consultant was brought on board to advise the young managers. New color-schemes, logos, and promotional campaigns were introduced for the team, and the ballpark underwent major renovations.

Despite these improvements in the front office, the Explorers continued their poor record on the field with a 28-41 season for new manager Wayne Albury and drew only 11,931 fans - almost 10,000 less than any other team in the league. Outfielder Jeff Snyder (.398, 20 SB) won the batting title and was joined on the All-Star team by SS Robert Camarillo. Neill James (.349) was second in hitting. Portsmouth did not return in 1996.

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1993	20-31	7th	Keith Throckmorton
1994	24-38	7th	Ralph Cole
1995	28-41	7th	Wayne Albury