TEAM HISTORY
In September of 2010, Richard Chalmers, with Baseball Ventures of Louisiana, LLC, announced the acquisition of the Acadiana Cane Cutters into the Texas Collegiate League. The TCL is a collegiate, summer baseball league designed to give the top professional prospects a chance to play in a minor-league baseball atmosphere while maintaining their amateur status. The team is owned by Richard & Sandi Chalmers.
2010-2011
In 2010, the Acadiana Cane Cutters became the primary tenant of Fabacher Field at Southside Regional Park in Youngsville, Louisiana. Before the first pitch was thrown, the ownership group made many capital improvements to the entire facility, including adding over one thousand stadium seats and nearly two hundred premium seating locations, giving Fabacher Field its current 1,400 seat capacity.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette alum and former Detriot Tigers' 9th round draft pick, Lonny Landry was brought in to lead the Cane Cutters in their inaugural season. Under Landry's watch, the team stormed out of the gate notching a second place 15-12 record through the first half to clinch an automatic playoff bid in August. The Canes finished with a 29-29 record which was good enough to place third overall at the season's end. Fabacher Field was treated to its first playoff series in August, that would eventually see the Cane Cutters fall to the would-be TCL Champion Coppell Copperheads. Outfielder Taylor Dugas wrapped up what was a very special year for Acadiana Baseball in a very memorable way. The future New York Yankees farmhand was crowned the Texas Collegiate League Player of the Year and went on to be selected in the 8th round of the 2012 draft.
2012
The 2012 Acadiana Cane Cutters would feature a cast of outstanding ball players that saw seven get selected to the mid-season TCL All-Star game. Head Coach Lonny Landry led the team to a fourth place finish in the standings, falling just one game shy of a second consecutive playoff berth in the team's second year of existance. Shortstop Issac Rodriguez and catcher Mitchell Nau were selected as the top players at their respective positions, each earning a spot on the 2012 All-TCL starting nine.
2013
The Cane Cutters arguably concluded their most successful in 2013. The team finished their campaign setting a new franchise precedent in regular season wins (32) and total season attendance (14,779). The Cutters finished second overall in the Texas Collegiate League standings, and earned their second playoff nätcasino berth in three seasons. Texas A&M product and Acadiana catcher Mitchell Nau was crowed the TCL Player of the Year, the second time in three seasons a Cane Cutter has earned this prestigious honor. In addition to being named the most valuable player in the league, Nau and teammate Logan Taylor were named as starters on the 2013 All-TCL team.
2021
The Acadiana Cane Cutters ended their stellar 2021 campaign a game away from making it to the TCL Championship Game. The Cane Cutters ended up with the 2nd best overall record in the TCL at 22-19, and they had multiple players make the All TCL Team, including the TCL Player of the Year.
3rd Baseman Ethan Lege capped an incredible season by being awarded the Texas Collegiate League Player of the Year. Shortstop Jack Schell and Pitcher Josh Mancuso were also named to the 2021 All TCL Team. Ethan Lege (Delgado CC) from Abbeville, LA really showcased his batting and all-around skills this season. He led the league among eligible players in batting average with a .364, which was 20 points higher than his closest competitor. Lege also had 3 HR, 14 RBI, 36 runs scored and 9 stolen bases. Ethan’s on base and slugging percentage were also among the league leaders.
Jack Schell (Lamar University) from Houston, TX was a terrific mid-season addition to the Cane Cutters potent lineup. He slugged an impressive .431 batting average with 10 RBI and 17 runs scored. He also got on base over half of his at bats with a .584 on base percentage. Jack provided some consistent left-handed pop to the Cane Cutters lineup that finished the season number one in the league in team batting average. Josh Mancuso (Nicholls State University) from Bryan, TX was a steady arm and contributor to the Cane Cutters pitching staff. He was top 5 in the league with a 3.21 ERA. and 5 wins. He also struck out 26 batters and allowed the second fewest walks in the league among starting pitchers. Josh pitched some clutch innings for the Cane Cutters during their playoff push. “We are certainly proud of Ethan, Jack, Josh, and the entire team’s accomplishments this year”, said Richard Chalmers, owner of the Acadiana Cane Cutters. “Their hard work and contributions to the team were one of the many ingredients to our success this year.”
Although the Acadiana Cane Cutters didn’t win the championship, they finished the regular season with the 2nd best record in the Texas Collegiate League. This All-TCL recognition was a sweet ending to an awesome year for the Cane Cutters. Congratulations to the entire organization!
FOLLOW US ON