On Wednesday, the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball announced the addition of the West Virginia Power for the upcoming 2021 season, giving them eight teams. The Power was a member of the Class-A South Atlantic League or Sally. The Power was one of forty teams to lose its status as an MLB affiliate.
New year, new league, new faces! We are proud to announce that we are joining the @AtlanticLg for the 2021 season, and we have some new faces joining our team! LEARN MORE: https://t.co/chM1abAgDt pic.twitter.com/qWKb9QwbE6 — West Virginia Power (@wv_power) February 24, 2021
The Power began play in 1987 as the Charleston Wheelers before switching to the Power in 2005. They play their home games at Appalachian Power Park. They are six-time division champions and won the South Atlantic League title in 1990 as the Wheelers. The Power join their fellow rivals Lexington Legends.
The team is managed by an ownership group led by Managing Partner and CEO Andy Shea. Shea released a statement on the Power joining the Atlantic League, saying, “We are very excited about joining the Atlantic League and bringing a significantly higher level of talent to the field. Off the field, we are delighted to expand on the affordable family fun at Appalachian Power Park. The Atlantic League is the premier MLB Partner League, and we are sincerely grateful for the City of Charleston, State of West Virginia, and Major League Baseball for helping make this happen. This is a truly great day for professional baseball in Charleston.”
Rick White, President of the Atlantic League on the addition of the Power, said, “We are thrilled to welcome the Power to the Atlantic League and to play a part in the baseball heritage of a community that has passionately supported baseball. We are privileged to play in West Virginia’s capital city and congratulate the Power organization and all their fans. We look forward to the competitive play the Power will bring to the Atlantic League.”
With the Legends joining last week and the Power on Wednesday. The Atlantic League announced the reconfiguration of the division. The North Division will feature the Lancaster Barnstormers, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Long Island Ducks, and York Revolution. The South Division will feature the High Point Rockers, Gastonia Honey Hunter, West Virginia Power, and Lexington Legends.
After the Power was announced, the Atlantic League released the 2021 schedule. The season begins May 27th, with Lancaster playing Gastonia. Lexington will play at Long Island, and West Virginia will host the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
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