Baltimore Mariners Fans Continue to Support Players Even After Team Folds

Don’t let the NFL lockout get you down.

While there is a chance pro football in Baltimore could be missing this fall thanks to the NFL’s first work stoppage since 1987, there are still plenty of ways to get your pigskin fix. This includes indoor football. The game is a hard-hitting and fast action that will fill the void and give you an adrenaline rush not to be missed.

In June 2010, the Ravens Nest 8 from Middle River adopted me in an effort to help me pay for mounting medical bills due to my most recent battle with cancer.  As part of their fundraiser, they invited the Baltimore Mariners, an American Indoor Football Association team, to participate.

I was immediately hooked on this game. Over the course of the Mariners’ season, the team adopted me as their guest Team Captain.  I received the opportunity to perform the coin toss at my first game. I also got to meet Hall of Fame Baltimore Colts running back Lenny Moore when he did the coin toss at the AIFA championship game on July 25. 

Sadly, due to legal issues with the Mariners ownership, the team closed up shop after going undefeated and beating the Wyoming Cavalry, 57-42, to win the AIFA title. However, many former Mariners have found a home with other indoor teams and many of the team’s former fans continue to follow them.

Wide receiver Scorpio Brown moved back home to Richmond, Va. where he now plays for the Richmond Raiders. Quarterback E.J. Nemeth returned to New Jersey to play for the home team, the Trenton Steel.  These two teams played their season opener in the Richmond Coliseum and I was proud to be in the seats cheering on the 2010 national champion players.

"Football is sweet,” said Harris Jessop, Mount Carmel’s softball coach. “It's great to see our championship Mariners even if they are in other uniforms this year.”

To add to an awesome weekend of football, the Mariners’ fan club – the Baltimore Maniacs – continued their support for indoor football by traveling recently to Harrisburg, Pa.  A Baltimore champion (and Baltimore physical education teacher), J.R. Cipra is the kicker for the Harrisburg Stampede. 

Another champion and local resident, Jermaine Thaxton, is also playing in Harrisburg this season.  It was fantastic to be among the several hundred fans in attendance as the Erie Explosion team won the game. 

Plans are already in the works for a return trip to Harrisburg on April 2 to see the Trenton Steel face the Stampede.  It will be another tough decision of who to root for, as there will be at least six former Baltimore Mariners playing between the two teams.  I guess I’ll just have to cheer for individual plays and hope the best team of the day wins the game.

"We love traveling to see our favorite players,” said Bruce and Michele Ginevan, 2011 season ticket holders for the Harrisburg Stampede. We follow the Ravens, but we really love arena football and are happy to follow J.R. Cipra - an awesome kicker."

Despite all of the fun with indoor football, I must stress that yes, I’m upset about the lockout.  Yes, I can understand both sides of the negotiations – everyone wants a bigger slice of the pie.

That pot of money can only go just so far to cover costs of everything from stadium maintenance to player salaries to simply lining one’s pockets with profits.  But, I am glad to know there is still football being played. 

Indoor football can be fun and exciting.  Some of the rules are adjusted for a 50-yard field compared to the NFL’s 100-yard playing surface, but it is still the same basic game of downs, passing and rushing yardage, and penalties that can win or lose a game.

Mark your calendar for April 2.  Make your plans to head north up I-83 to Harrisburg and get a ‘football fix’ to fill the gap while we await news on the NFL situation. Tickets are just $15.

For more information about AIFA teams in the region, visit the following sites:

www.harrisburgstampede.com/

www.trentonsteel.com

www.richmondraidersprofootball.com