Surf Stadium Ready For Baseball Again

It’s been quite some time since competitive baseball was played inside the walls of Surf Stadium. The 5,500-seat Albany Ave. venue, formerly known as Sandcastle Stadium, hasn’t housed a team since the Atlantic City Surf ceased operations in March, 2009.

The dormant ballpark, which is situated next to Bader Field, receives a jolt of life this week as the Atlantic Shore baseball program hosts the 2012 Babe Ruth Mid-Atlantic Baseball Tournament. The competition occurs Aug. 2 -8 and includes teams from South Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, northern New Jersey (Branchburg), Pennsylvania and New York.

Mid-Alantic Regional Tournament Coverage

The Atlantic Shore Devils, who compete in the 14U age bracket, are predominantly comprised of players who led the program to a 13U World Series appearance last summer. This year, the team hopes home field advantage helps lead the way to another memorable run at a national title.

“(Last year) was a good feeling. It took a long way to get there and it was a good ride,” said Devils veteran player Dean Deveney, who will be a freshman at Mainland Regional this fall. “Just wish we could’ve won it all.”

The team has a chance to avenge last season’s World Series exit, as it takes center stage in Atlantic City. The Devils roster is made up entirely of players from the county.

“It’s cool that we get to play together with kids from across the area,” said Colin Naumchick, who is also headed to Mainland.

Now they have a chance to welcome teams from across the region for competition in the friendly confines of Surf Stadium. The venue has undergone significant renovations this year and the Devils enjoyed a sneak peak of the park in July.

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