LOWELL, Mass. (Jan. 30, 2014) – The America East Conference, the Lowell Spinners and the University of Massachusetts Lowell announced today that LeLacheur Park in Lowell, Mass., will host the America East Baseball Championship for the next four years from 2014-2017. The park acts as the home of Boston Red Sox single A affiliate Lowell Spinners as well as America East member UMass Lowell.

"We are honored to have been selected by America East to host the 2014 Conference baseball championship," said Director of Athletics, Dana Skinner. "This hosting opportunity will enable UMass Lowell and the Lowell Spinners to show off one of the premier ballparks in the Northeast and will add prestige to the event for the participating student-athletes."

The state of the art facility hosted the 2013 championship that led to Binghamton University capturing the title. The 2014 championship will take place May 22-24 and May 25 if necessary.

 "Committing to LeLacheur Park for the next four years continues to build the brand of America East baseball and enhances the experience for our student-athletes," said America East Commissioner Amy Huchthausen. "LeLacheur Park is a first-class minor league facility that produced a great atmosphere for our teams and fans in 2013. It is in a perfect location for our fans and institutions, offering all the amenities, plus much more, for our championship."

The venue was built between a partnership with the city of Lowell and the University of Massachusetts Lowell and offers views of the Aiken Street Bridge and Lawrence Mills.  The ballpark opens its door for business in June of 1998 as the home of the Lowell Spinners, a member of the New York-Penn League.

"We are thrilled to have received a long-term commitment from the America East Conference to bring their prestigious tournament to LeLacheur Park," said Spinners President and General Manager Tim Bawmann. "It is a great opportunity for baseball fans to prepare for the Spinners season with top flight competition and a trip to the NCAA regionals on the line." 

The top four teams in the America East regular-season will advance to the 2014 America East Baseball Championship. 2012 champion Stony Brook became the first America East team to qualify for the College World Series since the conference started sponsoring the sport in 1990 after advancing through the regional round before moving on to the Super Regionals where the Seawolves upset perennial power LSU.

The America East baseball championship will be streamed live for free on AmericaEast.TV, which is available on laptops and PCs as well as on smartphones and tablets.