In 2001, local citizens formed "Green Mountain Community Baseball", an organization formed in hopes of attracting an NECBL franchise to Montpelier, Vermont. In September of the following year the NECBL voted to expand to far-away Vermont, and to award a franchise to the group. The team's name, the Vermont Mountaineers, was chosen from more than 300 fan entries. John Russo has been the team's manager since 2004 and has held some role with the team since its arrival in the league. General ManagerBrian Gallagher spear-headed organizing the franchise and led the team since its inception. The team's first game was on June 7, 2003, an 8-5 loss to the Manchester Silkworms. The game's attendance of 2,471 set a then-NECBL record for single game attendance. Although their inaugural season was not a success on the field, it was in terms of attendance, with the club leading the league in average attendance per game. Nearly 35,000 fans watched the Mountaineers at Montpelier Recreation Field that season. After reaching the playoffs in 2004, the team has enjoyed playoff success, qualifying for the playoffs in six of their first seven seasons. They have reached the NECBL Championship Series five times winning it three times. Three of their five finals appearances have come against the Newport Gulls.
Postseason appearances
Records
Below is a list of all-time New England Collegiate Baseball League records set by the Mountaineers.
2005 – First Team:1B Matt Rizzotti; Second Team:3B Miguel Magrass.
2006 – First Team:P Joe Esposito, SS Robbie Minor, P Mark Murray, 3B Curt Smith, C Zach Zaneski; Second Team: P Chris Friedrich, 2B Troy Krider.
2007 – First Team: 1B Mike Sheridan, DH Curt Smith; Second teamOF AJ Pollock.
2008 – Second Team P Casey Harman.
2009 – First Team OF Henry Dunn, C Jayson Hernandez; Second Team P Rob Kumbatovic.
Attendance
From their inception the Mountaineers have had some of the league's largest attendance figures. In their inaugural season the Mountaineers enjoyed the highest average attendance in the league and have consistently been near the top of the league in this category since.
Below is a list of Mountaineers alumni who have gone on to play professional baseball. In total, over 103 former Mountaineers have signed professional contracts after playing for Vermont. 13 have reached the majors, with two players currently on active MLB rosters. As of August 1, 2018.
The following former Mountaineer broadcasters have gone on to broadcast in professional baseball: -AAA, Kyle Berger-A, Scott Montesano -Ind., Jonathan Barr-Ind., Paul Roper-Ind., -AHL/FHL/CanAm.,
Media
Wcax.com, an area online news website run by WCAX-TV, produces reports and video highlights of Mountaineers games. The Barre Montpelier Times Argus, a local newspaper, also provides press coverage of games. The games are broadcast on WSKI CBS Sports Radio 1240 and on Teamline internet audio/video.
