HAGERSTOWN, Md. — In their first two seasons in 2024 and 2025, the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars ranked in the top half of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in home attendance, and Meritus Park was twice named the ALPB Ballpark of the Year.
There was plenty of enthusiasm surrounding the team, even as its performance on the field gave fans little reason to cheer. The Boxcars finished with the worst record in the 10-team league in each of their first two seasons, going 36-89 in their inaugural year and 31-95 last season.
New manager Mark Minicozzi said this year will be different.
“We’re going to win this year,” he said during the team’s first mandatory practice Wednesday morning at Meritus Park. “We only have maybe three or four returning players. There have been some changes to the roster — big, big arms. It’s going to be a different look this year. The people of Hagerstown are going to be very excited to see the product on the field. There’s some really good talent.”
Minicozzi, the team’s third manager in three seasons, replaced Shane Turner, who remains with the club as bench coach. Minicozzi spent the previous two years managing the Staten Island FerryHawks and said their trips to Hagerstown always stood out.
“I’m excited to be on the other side this year,” he said. “It’s a very welcoming place, and I’m excited to be here in Hagerstown.
“The times we came here as an opposing team, just how the fans support the team, how the front office and staff are excited about baseball, that’s an atmosphere you don’t get in many places anymore. To see that as an opposing team, we got excited every time we came here. For these guys to come to the park every day knowing the city is behind them, that gets them excited.”
Infielder Ossie Abreu is back for his third season with the Boxcars and is the only player who has been with the team since its inception. He has made Hagerstown his permanent home and appreciates the support he has received from the community.
“That’s what I like about this town — people love baseball,” Abreu said. “They like to come to the games and watch us play. I love that.”
He said the team looks ready to give fans more reason to cheer.
“We’re going to have a better year than the past two years,” Abreu said. “So far, from what I see, we have a great group of guys, more experienced guys. We’re going to have a great year.”
One newcomer to the team is no stranger to the Hagerstown area. Outfielder Jared Carr played high school baseball at Saint James before continuing his standout career at Shepherd University and is now living with his family in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
“I’m enjoying being able to live at home and play for the local team,” he said.
Carr was drafted out of Shepherd by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 13th round in 2021. He played for the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League in 2024 and was named ALPB Defensive Player of the Year and then spent last season with Rieleros de Aguascalientes in Mexico.
“I’ve kind of been all over the place,” Carr said. “This is really the first time in five years that I’ll be spending an extended period of time in this area. It’s definitely nice to be home. I know it’s a different stadium, but growing up going to Hagerstown Suns games, this is cool.”
The Boxcars open the 2026 season with a three-game road series against the Long Island Ducks beginning April 21. They return to Meritus Park for a three-game homestand against the York Revolution starting April 24.
