Batavia Muckdogs

The Batavia Muckdogs are a minor league baseball team, the Short-Season A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, based in Batavia, a city in Genesee County, New York, United States. Their home field is Dwyer Stadium in Batavia. The team plays in the New York–Penn League.

The Muckdogs were founded in 1939 as the Batavia Clippers. The franchise suspended operations from 1954-1956. The franshise returned to play in 1957 and were renamed Batavia Indians. The team has gone through more name changes after that which were Batavia Pirates in 1961, Batavia Trojans in 1966, Batavia Clippers again in 1988 and finally "Batavia Muckdogs" in 1999. The franchise also suspended operations for the 1960 season as well.

Many future stars have passed through Batavia, including Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Ryan Madson, Johnny Estrada, Marlon Anderson, Marlon Byrd, Carlos Carrasco, Kelly Gruber, Doc Ellis, Lou Marson, Clayton Mortensen, Alfredo Simon, Brad Ziegler and Ned Yost. NFL tailback Ricky Williams played for the team for a season before returning to Texas to prepare for the upcoming NCAA football season, where he later won the Heisman Award. Prior to the 1997 season, the Muckdogs were called the Batavia Clippers. A fan poll picked both the current name and logo.

The Muckdogs logo is a dog on a crushed fence in the shape of an "M" surrounded by muck with baseballs on either side.

The Muckdogs were affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies from their inception in 1988 to 2006. Beginning with the 2007 season, the Phillies Short-Season A affiliate was the Williamsport Crosscutters. Meanwhile, the Muckdogs signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.

On March 12, 2008, it was announced that the Rochester Red Wings would take over operational control of the Muckdogs. The Wings will run every aspect of operations: concessions, media and community relations and promotions.

Batavia swept the Florida Marlins affiliate the Jamestown Jammers to claim the 2008 NY-Penn League championship on September 14, 2008 by a score of 9-3, after defeating the Boston Red Sox affiliate the Lowell Spinners two games to one in the semi-finals.

The St. Louis Cardinals changed their affillation from the Muckdogs to the State College Spikes after the 2012 season. On September 28, 2012, the Muckdogs announced that they had signed a two year player development contract with the Miami Marlins.