Tal Smith has been named special adviser to Opening Day Partners, the owners of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs baseball team.

ODP is the owner and operator of minor league teams and is the parent company of the Sugar Land Skeeters, Houston’s new minor league baseball team.

The Skeeters began their inaugural season April 26 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas.

A veteran of 54 years in baseball, Smith most recently served as president of baseball operations for the Houston Astros from Nov. 22, 1994, to Nov. 27, 2011 — completing his 35th season with the Astros over three separate terms.

“Tal Smith has been a friend and informal adviser for decades, and it is an honor and privilege to be able to work closely with Tal on a more formal basis,” Peter Kirk, chairman of ODP, said in a news release.

“Tal will be a significant factor in assuring the success of the Sugar Land Skeeters and also in helping ODP and the other owners of the Atlantic League as we progress with the league’s recently announced national expansion,” Kirk added.

Smith will work with ODP on various areas of business and baseball operations. He will advise ODP on the Sugar Land Skeeters, as well as new locations for Atlantic League teams. He also will advise on relations between the Atlantic League and Major League Baseball.