GLENS FALLS—For the third straight season, the Glens Falls Golden Eagles host home playoff games at East Field.
The past two seasons, the John Mayotte coached team finished with the top spot in the East Division and could very well do the same this summer.
In their six years in Glens Falls, the Golden Eagles have managed to make the playoffs in four times, reaching the championship in the past two seasons.
However, whether Glens Falls earns home-field advantage in the division finals this summer remains up in the air.
The divisional crown is important, not just for the home advantage in a potential divisional final against Amsterdam, but financially, as it could bring in an extra gate for the owner.
Having played six doubleheaders this summer, mostly due to rainouts and other postponements, team owner Darin Williams could use the extra gate to stay afloat financially and keep baseball alive in Glens Falls.
Typically, the five teams in the East Division do not schedule doubleheaders.
As the New York Collegiate Baseball League East Division standings look now, the Golden Eagles trail the Amsterdam Mohawks by a mere half-game due to the Watertown Wizards canceling a trip down to Glens Falls on Monday, coupled with the Mohawks defeating the Saratoga Phillies 6-5 on Monday night.
The game between Watertown and Glens Falls, which was suspended back on July 17 in the third inning, may not even take place should the division standings be set in stone and has been tentatively rescheduled for Thursday, July 30, at 7 p.m.
With both the Golden Eagles and the Mohawks clinching playoff births, it's unclear whether the Wizards should be forced to forfeit the suspended game. A Watertown forfeit would likely eliminate them from playoff contention as they trail the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs by a half-game in the race for the final spot in the 2009 playoffs.
Watertown hosts Amsterdam tonight, Saratoga hosts Mohawk Valley, and Glens Falls hosts Albany.
If both the Golden Eagles and Mohawks win tonight, then it's unlikely Thursday's rescheduled game against the Wizards will happen.
Either way, the Glens Falls Golden Eagles (28-12), as the No. 2 seed, begin their playoff push on Friday, July 31, against the No. 3 seed Saratoga Phillies (18-21).
Glens Falls split the season series with Saratoga 4-4, and lost five of their eight games against top-seed Amsterdam.
Tonight's game at East Field, which begins at 7 p.m., is fan appreciation night. Former high school hoops star and current BYU player Jimmer Fredette will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, as will all the 2009 Host Families.
Following the game will be a fireworks display.