The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots Baseball Club, led by Chairman Emeritus Steve Kalafer and Co-Chairmen Jonathan Kalafer and Joshua Kalafer, presented a ceremonial check to Somerset County elected officials in the amount of $20,276,654.26.
The check represented 20 years of the team’s partnership with Somerset County for TD Bank Ballpark and includes payments over that time up to the conclusion of the 2018 fiscal year.
The check presentation took place at the team’s annual Holiday Reception on Tuesday, December 4th before the Somerset Patriots’ marketing partners and dignitaries.
Officials in attendance for the ceremonial check presentation included Senator Kip Bateman, Somerset County Freeholder Deputy Director Brian Levine, Freeholder Mark Caliguire, past Freeholder Peter Palmer, Bridgewater Township Mayor Dan Hayes, Bridgewater Township Council President Christine Henderson Rose, and Bridgewater Township Councilman Howard Norgalis.
The Kalafer family also presented a check at the event in the amount of $5,550,000 that represented 20 years of charitable giving by the Somerset Patriots to non-profits throughout the Central New Jersey market.
Non-profit partners of the team at the event included Operation Shoebox New Jersey, The Beez Foundation, Carrier Clinic, Somerset County YMCA, Somerset Health Care Foundation, Hugs For Brady, and the Somerset County Park Foundation.
2018 was the Somerset Patriots 20th season at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. The Somerset Patriots led the Atlantic League in total (369,119) and average (5,127) attendance for the second straight season and set a new Atlantic League Playoffs attendance record with 8,143 fans at Game 3 of the LDCS on September 21st.
The team welcomed their 7,000,000th fan in franchise history on July 26th, making the Somerset Patriots one of the fastest teams to reach the milestone throughout minor league baseball.
As aligned with the organization’s mission each year, the Somerset Patriots were very active in the community, raising money for charities, donating tickets to various non-profits, and spreading important messages to children in the community.
The Somerset Patriots will be back in action on Friday, April 26th for Opening Day at TD Bank Ballpark. Stay up to date on all the team news throughout the offseason online; on all of our social media platforms, and on our mobile app. For more information, visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 40 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 70 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com
