Philadelphia Phillies

Lakewood BlueClaws sold to group led by minor league veteran

Published Jul. 28, 2017 6:23 a.m. ET

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (AP) The Lakewood BlueClaws of the South Atlantic League have been sold to Shore Town Baseball, a newly formed group headed by minor league baseball veteran Art Matin.

The New Jersey team announced the sale Thursday without disclosing details of the deal with the previous owners, American Baseball Ventures.

Matin was previously the CEO of Mandalay Baseball Properties, which owned and operated nine separate franchises over its existence.

The BlueClaws have led the SAL in average or overall attendance in each of the past 16 seasons.

The BlueClaws, a Philadelphia Phillies' affiliate since their inception in 2001, will remain with the Phillies. The two organizations signed a new player development contract last year that runs at least through the 2020 season.