Rochester Lancers become official affiliate of Baltimore Blast
The MASL 2 Rochester Lancers have formally become the farm team affiliate for the world famous Baltimore Blast. The Lancers hope to help develop future Blast players. Current Lancers M2 coach Jake Schindler will be joining the Blast after the M2 season.
“Ed Hale is the best owner in the business,” said Kayla Clark Kent-Moreira Lancers GM/President, “The Lancers staff traveled to Baltimore in 2011 to learn from the best.“ said Kent-Moreira.
The Blast have 10 Championship banners, with nine won during the Ed Hale ownership era from 1998. Mr. Hale is the longest running continuous owner in American Pro Soccer. Some of the greatest indoor players past and present have worn the Blast jersey.
"It is my pleasure to announce our Lancer/Baltimore Blast relationship," said Ed Hale, owner of the Baltimore Blast, "I have always admired Sam and his staff with how they ran their operations on and off the field. They are seasoned veterans that care deeply about their team and league. We are excited about the synergies that this arrangement gives us with marketing and player development."
“They do everything right,“ said Ashley Maria King, Lancers President, “from the game day experience, merchandise sales, camps & clinics to putting together a championship caliber team year-after-year.” said King.
The Baltimore Blast are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 10-6-3 record with 32 points. They have two home games this weekend hosting Utica City Saturday and KC Comets on Sunday.
"I am very excited to be a part of the Blast/Lancers partnership," said Gianni Tumminello, VIce President & GM for the Blast. "Both Ed Hale and Soccer Sam are two of the most passionate people I’ve ever been around, the Rochester staff work extremely hard for an incredible game-day experience and this is an exciting time for both organizations and for the game of indoor soccer.”
Ed Hale is also known as “The Godfather of Indoor Soccer” and he is responsible for keeping the great game of indoor soccer going since his early involvement in 1998. The Blast have led the sport in attendance, merchandise and concession sales since their early existence.
“I’m extremely excited for our players to have this affiliation,” said Lancers Owner SoccerSam Fantauzzo, “Ed and his Blast team, staff and arena is what every team should emulate, duplicate and simulate.” said SoccerSam.