Spinners History
From Mills to the Majors: The Story of the Lowell Spinners
Baseball in Lowell did not begin in 1996.
It began in 1877.
Long before LeLacheur Park overlooked the Merrimack River, Lowell fielded teams in the League Alliance and the New England Association. The city was a frequent member of the New England League in the early 20th century. But after 1947, professional baseball disappeared from Lowell for nearly fifty years.
Then, in 1996, it returned.
That summer, businessman Clyde Smol moved his Elmira Pioneers to Lowell, rebranding as the Lowell Spinners — a Class A Short Season affiliate of the Boston Red Sox in the New York–Penn League. The first two seasons were played at Stoklosa Alumni Field while Edward A. LeLacheur Park was being built along the river.
Shortly thereafter New York businessman Drew Weber and his wife Joann purchased the franchise, and things began to take off in conjunction with the opening of LeLacheur Park. Named after longtime Massachusetts state legislator (1975-1998) Ed LeLacheur, he was affectionately known around Lowell as a humble public servant who was devoted to his community.
Drew and Joann quickly assembled an award-winning front office staff who tirelessly built one of the best Minor League franchises in baseball.
And something clicked.
A Franchise That Filled Every Seat
In 2000, the Spinners sold every ticket to every home game — setting a minor league record. What followed was one of the most remarkable attendance streaks in professional baseball history: 413 consecutive sold-out home games, a streak that lasted until August 30, 2010.
For more than a decade, summer nights in Lowell meant packed stands, creative entertainment, (Spinnertainment) and award-winning promotions overlooking the Merrimack River, and a city that had fully embraced its team.
The Spinners were not just successful.
They were essential.
Big Ideas, Bigger Impact
Creativity became part of the franchise’s DNA.
In 1999, the Spinners franchise emerged into the national spotlight with “Birth Night,”. Expectant parents registered in advance and the first baby born among those families received diapers for a year. It was heartfelt, slightly outrageous, and very Lowell. The promotion generated national media attention especially from the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Then came the “Yankees Elimination Program” in 2005. In the heart of Red Sox Nation, they began to hear grumblings of children crying over being selected to play for their youth baseball team named the Yankees. Even stories of parents mandating their children take off the Yankees jersey before entering the house. The Spinners quickly rose to the occasion with a playful but impactful initiative offering to replace Yankees-branded youth uniforms across New England with Spinners gear. The team’s goal was to convert 25 teams, but it quickly ballooned to over 150 teams all across the country. This attributed to more than $70,000 being donated back to youth baseball and softball programs to states as far away as Utah. What began as a rivalry-themed promotion became a genuine investment in grassroots baseball. The initiative was picked up by ESPN’s Cold Pizza and CNN, along with other national media including an entire article of the promotion appearing in Sports Illustrated. Then New York Yankees director public relations department responded with “I have to hand it to you; that’s a great promotion.”
The Spinners didn’t just entertain — they engaged.
And sometimes, they made history.
In 2003, the team introduced a Jack Kerouac bobblehead, honoring Lowell’s literary icon. The promotion gained national attention and was later accepted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame — the first time a literary figure had been represented there. Multiple Kerouac editions followed, raising funds for scholarships and further connecting the team to the cultural fabric of the city.
They set then Guinness Book of World Records with the largest game of Duck, Duck Goose and the largest amount of people simultaneously popping bubble wrap to celebrate its 75th anniversary.
Then came the first ever Human Homerun. Between games of the July 5, 2011, double header, Cannonball daredevil David Smith, Sr was launched out of a cannon and over the rightfield wall for the first ever Human Homerun. Other teams quickly hired David and copied the promotion the following season.
Kids rode Thomas the Tank Engine around the warning track before each game. The Scooby Doo Mystery Machine appeared nightly as staff would use the promotional vehicle to toss complimentary t-shirts into the stand. Then New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski kicked autographed footballs into the stands between innings. Wade Boggs made an appearance serving cold Miller Lite from one of the concession stands. Famed New Englander, Stephen King allowed the team to honor him with his very own bobblehead. Boxing champion Micky Ward wore Spinners branded shorts in the ring during his fights with Auturo Gatti and the team honored him with his own bobblehead shortly after “The Fighter” blockbuster movie debuted.
This was minor league baseball — but it never felt minor.
The Road to Fenway
As a proud affiliate of the Boston Red Sox from 1996 through 2020, Lowell became the first professional stop for dozens of players to reach Major League Baseball.
Jonathan Papelbon.
Jacoby Ellsbury.
Kevin Youkilis.
Mookie Betts.
Andrew Benintendi.
Ryan Pressly. And countless others.
Former player David Eckstein who was part of the famed “$1000” infield in Lowell went on to become a World Series Champion and MVP with the Anaheim Angels. Clay Buchholz tossed a no-hitter in just his 2nd start with the Red Sox. Hanley Ramirez won the NL Rookie of the Year with the Florida Marlins. Freddy Sanchez won a National League Batting Title with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Betts, Jacky Bradley, Jr and Andrew Benintendi were in the outfield together when the Red Sox won the 2019 World Series.
Before World Series rings and All-Star appearances, they took the field at LeLacheur Park.
The partnership grew so strong that the Red Sox invited the Spinners to play home games at Fenway Park. The first one sold out, filling baseball’s most iconic ballpark. For a while, it felt extraordinary. And then, in true Lowell fashion, it simply became part of the story.
Championships, Playoff Runs, and a Final Push
The Spinners reached the New York–Penn League playoffs multiple times, including division titles in 2008, 2009, 2016, and 2019. The 2016 club posted a franchise-best 47 wins. In 2019, the team advanced to the league championship series, falling just one game short of a title.
Momentum was building again.
Then came 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic canceled the minor league season. That winter, Major League Baseball restructured the minor leagues, reducing affiliated teams from 160 to 120. Lowell was not selected to continue in affiliated baseball.
After 24 seasons as a Red Sox affiliate, the professional era of the Lowell Spinners came to an end.
A New Era Begins- Futures Collegiate Baseball League
But baseball in Lowell has always been about resilience.
In November 2025, local businessmen Marc Deschenes and John Croteau won the bid to place an expansion team in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. A league, the original Spinners franchise, helped found and then operated the Nashua Silver Knights. New ownership soon announced of revival of the Spinners name and pledged to bring the same sort of entertainment and affordability back to Lowell.
The talent level will remain high — and in many cases, more mature. The FCBL has already produced notable players like Ben Rice (NY Yankees), Matt Shaw (Chicago Cubs), Brandyn Garcia (Seattle Mariners), Cam Schlitter (NY Yankees) and more who have advanced to Major League Baseball. Once again, LeLacheur Park will serve as a launching pad for future stars.
The league may be different.
The mission is not.
To bring families together.
To create summer traditions.
To develop players.
To energize the city.
From 1877 to 1996.
From 413 consecutive sellouts to Fenway Park.
From affiliated baseball to a new collegiate chapter.
The Lowell Spinners story is not defined by one era.
It is defined by community.
And our next chapter begins now.
