The
Golden Baseball League, based in
San Ramon, California-2010 census:The 2010 United States Census reported that San Ramon had a population of 72,148. The population density was 3,991.1 people per square mile...
, was an independent baseball league. It later merged with the Northern League and the United Baseball League to form the
North American LeagueThe North American League is an independent baseball league that began play in the 2011 season...
in the
western United States.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
,
western CanadaWestern Canada, also referred to as the Western provinces and commonly as the West, is a region of Canada that includes the four provinces west of the province of Ontario.- Provinces :...
and
MexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
The GBL was not affiliated with
Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
or the organized
Minor League BaseballMinor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
system, but has featured players with MLB experience (
Rickey HendersonRickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
,
Jose CansecoJosé Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco...
,
Alex AriasAlejandro Arias is a former infielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1992–2002....
,
Bud SmithRobert Allan "Bud" Smith is a retired American baseball player. Smith was active at the Major League level in 2001 and 2002, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.- No-hitter and Major League career :...
,
Desi WilsonDesi Bernard Wilson was a first baseman for the San Francisco Giants in the 1996 season. He was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1991 amateur draft, and traded to the Giants, along with Rich Aurilia, for pitcher John Burkett....
,
Jose LimaJosé Desiderio Rodriguez Lima was a Dominican right-handed pitcher who spent thirteen seasons in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers , Houston Astros , Kansas City Royals , Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets...
,
Hideki Irabuwas a professional baseball player of Okinawan and American mixed ancestry. He played professionally in both Japan and the United States.-Early life:...
,
Junior SpiveyErnest Lee "Junior" Spivey, Jr. was a second baseman in Major League Baseball. In his five-year major league career, Spivey batted .270 with 48 home runs and 201 runs batted in in 457 games. He made the National League All-Star team in . He batted and threw right-handed.-Career:Spivey attended...
,
Mark PriorMark William Prior is an American professional baseball pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. He pitched for the Chicago Cubs from 2002-2006. His repertoire of pitches includes a low to mid 90s fastball, a curveball, a slurve, and a changeup.-Amateur career:Prior graduated from the...
). It was formed in
20042004 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* College football Bowl Championship Series :**January 1 – Rose Bowl – USC 28, Michigan 14...
and began play on May 26, 2005. The GBL had a drug-testing policy that has the same standards as the Olympics, becoming the first baseball league to do so in North America.
Officials in the baseball industry have stated the GBL level of play to be at the Double-A level. Over 100 players had been sold to MLB organizations since it began play, with six players already making it to a major league uniform –
Adam PettyjohnAdam Christopher Pettyjohn is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. Pettyjohn attended Exeter High School in California and then Fresno State University where he was a teammate of pitcher Jeff Weaver...
,
Scott RichmondScott Daniel Richmond is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball...
,
Chris JakubauskasChristopher James "Chris" Jakubauskas is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball.-College career:...
,
Sergio RomoSergio Francisco Romo is a American right-handed professional baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League baseball.-Early life:Romo was born in Brawley, California to Mexican immigrant parents...
,
Bobby CramerRobert Thomas Cramer is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.Cramer attended Loara High School in Anaheim, Long Beach State University, and Fullerton College....
, and
Daniel NavaDaniel James Nava is a professional baseball outfielder in the Boston Red Sox organization. He plays for the Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League....
.
The GBL's presenting partner was
Safeway Inc.Safeway Inc. , a Fortune 500 company, is North America's second largest supermarket chain after The Kroger Co., with, as of December 2010, 1,694 stores located throughout the western and central United States and western Canada. It also operates some stores in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Eastern...
Other investors in the GBL included
Wheel of Fortune host
Pat SajakPat Sajak is a television personality, former weatherman, actor and talk show host, best known as the host of the American television game show Wheel of Fortune.-Early life:...
, former
National Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
players
Mike SherrardMichael Watson Sherrard is a former professional American football player who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1st round of the 1986 NFL Draft. A 6'2" wide receiver from UCLA, Sherrard played in 11 NFL seasons from 1986 to 1996...
and
Christian OkoyeChristian Emeka Okoye , is a Nigerian-American former American football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1987 to 1992. Nicknamed "The Nigerian Nightmare," Okoye was known for his powerful running style and ability to break tackles. Okoye's six seasons in the NFL saw a league rushing...
, and executives from
Cisco SystemsCisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in San Jose, California, United States, that designs and sells consumer electronics, networking, voice, and communications technology and services. Cisco has more than 70,000 employees and annual revenue of US$...
, Taleo and
Draper Fisher JurvetsonDraper Fisher Jurvetson is a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California with affiliate offices in more than 30 cities around the world and over $7 billion in capital commitments....
.
The Golden Baseball League combined with
United League BaseballUnited League Baseball was an independent baseball league that operated in Texas. It later merged with the Northern League and the Golden Baseball League to form the North American League.- History :...
and the Northern League into a new
North American LeagueThe North American League is an independent baseball league that began play in the 2011 season...
for the 2011 season to form the first nationwide independent professional baseball league.
History
The league was founded in 2004 by
Stanford UniversityThe Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
graduates David Kaval and Amit Patel and became a reality when
Cisco SystemsCisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in San Jose, California, United States, that designs and sells consumer electronics, networking, voice, and communications technology and services. Cisco has more than 70,000 employees and annual revenue of US$...
Vice-President and experienced sports investor Kevin Outcalt joined the league to provide administrative and marketing skills and the initial capital to launch the league. Kaval was the president and chief executive officer (Patel departed after the 2008 season to run his family business conglomerate in Laurel, Mississippi). Kevin Outcalt served as the league's commissioner and chief marketing officer from 2005-2010, now is the league C.E.O. Brian MacInnes is the president, and Bill Weiss is the league's secretary and historian.
Many former MLB coaches and players have coached or managed in the GBL, including
Kip GrossKip Lee Gross is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.Gross played for four different ballclubs during his career: the Cincinnati Reds , Los Angeles Dodgers , Boston Red Sox , and Houston Astros...
,
Les LancasterLester Lancaster , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1987–1993 and is currently the manager of the Sioux City Explorers....
, Mike Marshall,
Ozzie Virgil, Jr.Osvaldo José Virgil, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played with the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, and Toronto Blue Jays from 1980 to 1990. He was elected to the National League All-Star team twice in 1985 and 1987...
Darrell EvansDarrell Wayne Evans is a former third baseman and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1969 to 1989 with the Atlanta Braves , San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers . He is also the former manager and director of player personnel for the Victoria Seals of the Golden Baseball...
,
Garry TempletonGarry Lewis Templeton, nicknamed "Jumpsteady", is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets from 1976 to 1991...
,
Cory SnyderJames Cory Snyder is a former Major League Baseball player for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1986 to 1994. Snyder's best season came in 1987 with the Indians when he hit 33 home runs and had 82 runs batted in...
,
Jeffrey LeonardJeffrey N. Leonard is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball with a 14-year career from to...
,
Gary CarterGary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
, Mike Busch,
Steve YeagerStephen Wayne "Steve" Yeager is an American right-handed former major league baseball catcher. Yeager spent 14 of the 15 seasons of his Major League Baseball career, from through , with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His last year, , he played for the Seattle Mariners...
,
Phil NevinPhillip Joseph Nevin is a retired American professional baseball player who spent twelve seasons in Major League Baseball with the Houston Astros , Detroit Tigers , Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , Texas Rangers , Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins...
,
Charlie HoughCharles Oliver Hough is a former Major League Baseball knuckleball pitcher. He is currently a senior adviser of player development for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Playing career:...
, Mark Parent,
Tim JohnsonTimothy Evald Johnson is a former professional baseball player and manager. A shortstop and utility infielder in Major League Baseball from 1973-79, he became better known as a manager when he was caught lying about his service in the Vietnam War.- Playing career :After signing with the Los...
,
Terry KennedyTerrence Edward Kennedy is a former All-Star Major League Baseball catcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , San Diego Padres , Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants . Kennedy batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He is the son of former major league player and manager Bob Kennedy...
,
Paul AbbottPaul Abbott is a BAFTA award-winning English television screenwriter and producer. Abbott has become one of the most critically and commercially successful television writers working in Britain today, following his work on many popular series, including Coronation Street, Cracker and Shameless,...
, Brett Boone,
Alex AriasAlejandro Arias is a former infielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1992–2002....
,
Rusty MeachamRussell Loren Meacham , is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball between 1991 and 2001.- Early career :...
, and
Warren CromartieWarren Livingston Cromartie is a retired American baseball player.-Baseball career:Warren Cromartie debuted with the Montreal Expos of the Major Leagues on September 6, 1974 after being picked 6th in the 1973 amateur draft...
.
The beginning
The league began with a single-entity model whereby the league owned all the clubs (except Tijuana and Japan which were partnerships). Since then, several of the clubs have been sold to private groups.
In its inaugural season, the league was composed of eight teams: the
Chico OutlawsThe Chico Outlaws are a professional baseball team based in Chico, California, in the United States. The Outlaws are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
,
Fullerton FlyersThe Fullerton Flyers are a professional baseball team based in Fullerton, California, in the United States. They are an independent franchise which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
,
Long Beach ArmadaThe Long Beach Armada was an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
and
San Diego Surf DawgsThe San Diego Surf Dawgs are an independent professional baseball team representing San Diego, California, that play in the short-season instructional Arizona Winter League and Arizona Summer League, based out of Yuma, Arizona. They played for two seasons in the now-defunct Golden Baseball League,...
in California;
Mesa MinersThe Mesa Miners are an independent professional baseball team that is based in Mesa, Arizona. They began as a member of the Arizona Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League in 2005...
,
Surprise Fightin' FalconsThe Surprise Fightin' Falcons are an inactive professional baseball team based in Surprise, Arizona. They played in the Arizona Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
and
Yuma ScorpionsThe Yuma Scorpions are a professional baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, in the United States. The Scorpions are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League. From the 2005 season to the present, the Scorpions have played their home games at Desert Sun Stadium at the...
in Arizona and the
Japan Samurai BearsThe Japan Samurai Bears are a defunct traveling professional baseball team that played in the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. They were based in the Arizona Division...
. All teams played their home games in city- and university-owned stadiums, with the exception of the Samurai Bears, a traveling team of Japanese players that played all of its games on the road. The Japanese team was a late entry as the Tijuana Toros, who led all of minor league baseball in attendance at over 13,000 fans a game, had jumped from the Mexican League to the GBL in December to be a charter member of the league, only to learn that the government of the Mexican state of
Baja CaliforniaBaja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
would not permit this.
Three of the GBL's teams, Long Beach, Chico and Yuma, operated in cities that once hosted
Western Baseball LeagueThe Western Baseball League was an independent baseball league based in the Western United States and Western Canada. It's member teams were not associated with any Major League Baseball teams. It operated from 1995 to 2002....
teams. The WBL operated from 1995 to 2002.
On May 9, 2005,
Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's all-time
stolen baseIn baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
leader,
Rickey HendersonRickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
, signed a contract to play the 2005 season with the Surf Dawgs.
The 2005 season ended with a four-team championship tournament on
Labor DayLabor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
Weekend. The tournament ended with San Diego winning two games on the final day, knocking off Mesa in the second game to win the title.
José CansecoJosé Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco...
, another retired star, signed with the Surf Dawgs in 2006 as part of his attempt to return to baseball and promote his book
JuicedJuiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big is a 2005 book by Jose Canseco and his personal account of steroid usage in Major League Baseball. The book is autobiographical, and it focuses on Canseco's days as a major leaguer, his marriages, his daughter, and off-field...
, along with its upcoming movie adaptation. Canseco was traded to the
ArmadaThe Long Beach Armada was an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
after only one game. He said that the move was to be closer to his daughter.
Season 2: League Contracts
Before the 2006 season, Surprise was discontinued, while Mesa moved to Reno, another former Western League city, and became the Reno Silver Sox, the first GBL club in Nevada. The league moved to a six-team format and did not have the traveling Samurai Bears return.
League expands to Utah and Canada
Prior to the 2007 season, the San Diego Surf Dawgs operation was discontinued as San Diego State breached the lease agreement with the league and subsequently paid a settlement. The GBL remained at six teams by adding the St. George RoadRunners. The Utah city also hosted a Western League club from 1999 to 2001, the
Zion PioneerzzThe St. George Pioneerzz were a minor league baseball team located in St. George, Utah. The team played in the independent Western Baseball League, and was not affiliated with any Major League Baseball team. Their home stadium was Bruce Hurst Field....
, becoming the fifth former WBL city to join the league.
In 2008, two former Northern League clubs, the
Calgary VipersThe Calgary Vipers were a professional baseball team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They were part of the Western Division of the independent North American League. The Vipers have played all of their home games at Foothills Stadium. Previously, the Vipers played in the Northern League from...
and
Edmonton Cracker-CatsThe Edmonton Capitals are a professional baseball team based in Edmonton, Alberta. Known originally as the Edmonton Cracker-Cats, they began play in the Northern League in 2005 before switching to the Golden Baseball League in 2008. The team was sold to Daryl Katz in 2009, after which the team was...
, joined the GBL, becoming the loop's first two Canadian teams.
The league expanded to nine teams in 2009 with the addition of the
Victoria SealsThe Victoria Seals were a professional baseball team based in Victoria, British Columbia. The Seals were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. They joined the GBL on October 1,...
, while the Reno Silver Sox moved to Tucson to become the
TorosThe Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
. The Cracker-Cats were sold to Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz and renamed the
Edmonton CapitalsThe Edmonton Capitals are a professional baseball team based in Edmonton, Alberta. Known originally as the Edmonton Cracker-Cats, they began play in the Northern League in 2005 before switching to the Golden Baseball League in 2008. The team was sold to Daryl Katz in 2009, after which the team was...
for the 2009 season.
Tijuana joins league in 2009 and will play in 2010
On December 15, 2008, the league signed a letter of intent to place another expansion franchise in
TijuanaTijuana is the largest city on the Baja California Peninsula and center of the Tijuana metropolitan area, part of the international San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan area. An industrial and financial center of Mexico, Tijuana exerts a strong influence on economics, education, culture, art, and politics...
,
MexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. After the addition of the expansion
Tijuana PotrosThe Tijuana Cimarrones are an inactive professional independent baseball franchise based in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. They were originally a minor league baseball team in Liga Mexicana de Béisbol , but joined the Golden Baseball League as an expansion team in 2009...
on January 13, the Armada were moved to the North Division. The Potros themselves would postpone the season due to the swine flu outbreak in Mexico. This made all their scheduled games days off for the other nine teams and left their GBL future in serious doubt.
As planned, the Tijuana team did return for the 2010 season but came back with a new name and additional owners. The Tijuana Cimarrones were announced as a member of the GBL when the schedule was released on January 15, 2010.
2010 GBL Schedule
Yuma becomes a Colombian affiliation in 2009
On May 20, 2009, the
Yuma SunThe Yuma Sun is a newspaper in Yuma, Arizona, USA. It was started in 1872 under the name of the Arizona Sentinel. It is owned by Freedom Communications, and it has a circulation of 18,799....
reported that the team had signed an affiliation agreement with the
Colombian Professional Baseball LeagueThe Colombian Professional Baseball League, also known as the Colombian Winter League, is a professional baseball league based in Colombia...
(CPBL). Under the terms of the affiliation, the CPBL will handle all on-field personnel and player issues while the team will retain control of promotions, concessions, and other front-office business. The Scorpions will act as a showcase team for players from all four CPBL teams.
Yuma Scorpion Reynaldo Rodriguez, of Cartagena, Colombia, was named GBL 2009 Rookie of the Year, the top prospect in all the independent leagues by Baseball America, and had his contract purchased by the Boston Red Sox.
Maui Announced for 2010, Long Beach suspended
On September 30, 2009, the GBL announced that the Hawaiian sports and entertainment company XnE Inc. had purchased the territory rights to place teams in Hawaii and that their inaugural team would play at the War Memorial Complex in Maui in 2010. The team announced their name as
Na Koa Ikaika Maui, which means the Strong Warriors of Maui.
The Long Beach Armada announced that they were suspending operations due to an ongoing stadium lease dispute with the city of Long Beach. They are expected to return in 2011 or relocate to a new city nearby.
Kaval leaves GBL for MLS, League to expand east
David Kaval, co-founder and C.E.O. of the GBL since its inception in 2005, resigned to take the job as team president of the
San Jose EarthquakesThe San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....
of
Major League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. Kevin Outcalt, the league's commissioner, will assume Kaval's duties. Kaval will remain on board as chairman of the GBL Board of Directors.
The
United LeagueUnited League Baseball was an independent baseball league that operated in Texas. It later merged with the Northern League and the Golden Baseball League to form the North American League.- History :...
and the Northern League agreed to join the GBL for the 2011 season in the formation of the new
North American LeagueThe North American League is an independent baseball league that began play in the 2011 season...
. The
Rockford RiverHawksThe Rockford RiverHawks are a professional baseball team based in the Rockford, Illinois suburb of Loves Park, in the United States. Currently, the RiverHawks are a member of the Frontier League, which they previously played in from 2002 until 2009. From the 2002 season to 2005, the RiverHawks'...
,
Schaumburg FlyersThe Schaumburg Flyers were a professional baseball team based in Schaumburg, Illinois, in the United States. The Flyers were to be a charter member of the North American League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, however, the team folded in March of 2011, before they began play in...
,
Joliet JackhammersThe Joliet JackHammers were a professional baseball team based in Joliet, Illinois, in the United States. The JackHammers were a member of the Northern League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From 2002 to 2010, the JackHammers played their home games at Silver Cross...
, and
Lake County FieldersThe Lake County Fielders are a professional minor league baseball team based in Zion, Illinois, located in Lake County in the northern reaches of the Chicago area...
plan on leaving the Northern League and join the GBL for 2011 with the new format. A potential fifth member of the Midwest Division could come from Omaha. United League teams joining the NAL include the Edinburg Roadrunners, Harlingen Whitewings and
San Angelo ColtsThe San Angelo Colts are a professional baseball team based in San Angelo, Texas, in the United States. The Colts are a member of North American League, an independent professional league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
.
Drug testing
The league was the only independent baseball association to have drug testing. The league CEO Dave Kaval explained:
"I feel that there is no place for illegal drugs in our business. We run a family-friendly operation off the field, and illegal drug usage by our players would undermine the trust we have established with our fans. That is exactly what has happened at the MLB level. As a steward of the great game of baseball, I am proud to say that we have the most stringent drug policy in all of professional baseball."
Current franchises
| Golden Baseball League |
| Division |
Team |
Founded |
City |
Stadium |
Capacity |
| North |
Calgary Vipers The Calgary Vipers were a professional baseball team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They were part of the Western Division of the independent North American League. The Vipers have played all of their home games at Foothills Stadium. Previously, the Vipers played in the Northern League from...
|
2005 |
Calgary, Alberta |
Foothills StadiumFoothills Stadium, formerly Burns Stadium, is a stadium in Calgary, Alberta. It is primarily used for baseball, and was formerly home to the Calgary Cannons AAA baseball club until September 2002, when the team relocated to Albuquerque. It is now the home field of the Calgary Vipers baseball team...
|
6,000 |
Chico OutlawsThe Chico Outlaws are a professional baseball team based in Chico, California, in the United States. The Outlaws are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
2005 |
Chico, CaliforniaChico is the most populous city in Butte County, California, United States. The population was 86,187 at the 2010 census, up from 59,954 at the time of the 2000 census...
|
Nettleton Stadium Nettleton Stadium is a baseball stadium in Chico, California on the campus of California State University, Chico. It is the home field for the CSU Chico Baseball team, the Wildcats, and the Chico Outlaws of the independent Golden League. It holds 4,200 people. The stadium was named for majority...
|
4,200 |
| Edmonton Capitals The Edmonton Capitals are a professional baseball team based in Edmonton, Alberta. Known originally as the Edmonton Cracker-Cats, they began play in the Northern League in 2005 before switching to the Golden Baseball League in 2008. The team was sold to Daryl Katz in 2009, after which the team was...
|
2005 |
Edmonton, Alberta |
Telus FieldTelus Field is a baseball stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is home to the Edmonton Capitals of the independent North American League, and was home to the former Edmonton Trappers, an AAA baseball team of the Pacific Coast League. The Trappers moved to Round Rock, Texas, and became the...
|
10,000 |
| Division |
Team |
Founded |
City |
Stadium |
Capacity |
| South |
Na Koa Ikaika Maui |
2009 |
Wailuku, HawaiiWailuku is a census-designated place in Maui County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 12,296 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Maui County.Wailuku is located just west of Kahului, at the mouth of the Īao Valley...
|
Maehara Stadium Maehara Stadium is a stadium in Wailuku, Hawaii. It is primarily used for baseball, and the home field of Na Koa Ikaika Maui due to start play in 2010. It also hosted the Maui Stingrays of the Hawaii Winter Baseball league. It opened in 1973 and holds 1,500 spectators. It is named after Ichiro...
|
4,100 |
| Henderson RoadRunners The Henderson RoadRunners are an independent professional baseball team based out of Henderson, Nevada. They are members of the Western Division in the North American League and were scheduled to begin play in 2011 at Lied Field at Morse Stadium on the campus of the College of Southern Nevada in...
|
2007 |
Henderson, Nevada-Demographics:According to the 2000 census, there were 175,381 people, 66,331 households, and 47,095 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,200.8 people per square mile . There were 71,149 housing units at an average density of 892.8 per square mile...
|
Morse Stadium |
? |
| Yuma Scorpions The Yuma Scorpions are a professional baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, in the United States. The Scorpions are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League. From the 2005 season to the present, the Scorpions have played their home games at Desert Sun Stadium at the...
|
2005 |
Yuma, ArizonaYuma is a city in and the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. It is located in the southwestern corner of the state, and the population of the city was 77,515 at the 2000 census, with a 2008 Census Bureau estimated population of 90,041....
|
Desert Sun StadiumDesert Sun Stadium is a stadium in Yuma, Arizona. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the North American League's Yuma Scorpions minor league baseball team and plays host to the Arizona Winter League and Arizona Summer League. The stadium, which originally opened in 1969,...
|
10,500 |
Defunct/Inactive Teams
- Japan Samurai Bears
The Japan Samurai Bears are a defunct traveling professional baseball team that played in the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. They were based in the Arizona Division...
, a traveling team made up of 24 Japanese players (Folded after 2005 season)
- Long Beach Armada
The Long Beach Armada was an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
from Long Beach, CaliforniaLong Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
(Took 2010 off due to lease issues with Blair FieldBlair Field is a stadium in Long Beach, California. It originally opened in 1956 and is primarily used for baseball. It holds 3,238 people. It is named for Frank Blair, the sports editor for the Long Beach Press-Telegram newspaper for 32 years....
, but have not folded. Fielded a team in the Arizona Summer LeagueThe Arizona Summer League is a short-season instructional summer professional baseball league affiliated with the independent North American League...
.)
- Mesa Miners
The Mesa Miners are an independent professional baseball team that is based in Mesa, Arizona. They began as a member of the Arizona Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League in 2005...
from Mesa, ArizonaAccording to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
(Moved to Reno after the 2005 season and became the Reno Silver Sox; team name now used by AWL's Western CanadaThe Western Canada Miners are a professional independent baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, and representing western Canada...
team)
- Orange County Flyers from Fullerton, California
Fullerton is a city located in northern Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 135,161.It was founded in 1887 by George and Edward Amerige and named for George H. Fullerton, who secured the land on behalf of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway...
(Taking 2011 season off)
- Reno Silver Sox from Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
(Moved to Tucson after 2008 season and became the Tucson TorosThe Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
after the formation of the Reno AcesThe Reno Aces are a minor league baseball franchise based in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. The team is a member of the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks....
; team nickname now used by AWL's SaskatchewanThe Saskatchewan Silver Sox are an independent professional baseball team based in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. They play in the developmental Arizona Winter League, a short-season instructional winter league affiliated with the North American League and compete in the International...
team)
- St. George Roadrunners from St. George, Utah
St. George is a city located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Utah, and the county seat of Washington County, Utah. It is the principal city of and is included in the St. George, Utah, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is 119 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, and 303 miles ...
(Relocated to Henderson, Nevada-Demographics:According to the 2000 census, there were 175,381 people, 66,331 households, and 47,095 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,200.8 people per square mile . There were 71,149 housing units at an average density of 892.8 per square mile...
in 2011)
- San Diego Surf Dawgs
The San Diego Surf Dawgs are an independent professional baseball team representing San Diego, California, that play in the short-season instructional Arizona Winter League and Arizona Summer League, based out of Yuma, Arizona. They played for two seasons in the now-defunct Golden Baseball League,...
from San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
(Folded after 2006 season, team name used for Arizona Winter LeagueThe Arizona Winter League is the short-season instructional independent winter professional baseball league affiliated with the independent North American League...
club)
- Surprise Fightin' Falcons
The Surprise Fightin' Falcons are an inactive professional baseball team based in Surprise, Arizona. They played in the Arizona Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
from Surprise, ArizonaSurprise is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. The population was 30,848 at the 2000 census; however, rapid growth has boosted the city's population to 117,517 at the 2010 census, an increase of 281%...
(Folded after 2005 season)
- Tijuana Cimarrones from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
- Tucson Toros
The Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
from Tucson, ArizonaTucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
(Became inactive after 2010 season)
- Victoria Seals
The Victoria Seals were a professional baseball team based in Victoria, British Columbia. The Seals were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. They joined the GBL on October 1,...
from Victoria, British ColumbiaVictoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
(Folded after 2010 season)
Teams that never played
- Tijuana Toros from Tijuana, Mexico – Stadium was seized by Mexican military forces in January 2005 and awarded to former politicians who had struck a deal to bring a team back to the Mexican Summer League. The GBL quickly responded by forming the Japan Samurai Bears to fill the Tijuana spot on the schedule. There was also the Tijuana Potros
The Tijuana Cimarrones are an inactive professional independent baseball franchise based in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. They were originally a minor league baseball team in Liga Mexicana de Béisbol , but joined the Golden Baseball League as an expansion team in 2009...
and Tijuana EmbajadoresThe Tijuana Embajadores were a proposed independent professional team to be based out of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. They were to play in the North American League and were expected to play at Estadio de Béisbol Calimax in 2011...
from Tijuana, Baja California.
- Santa Clarita, California
Santa Clarita is the fourth largest city in Los Angeles County, California, United States and the twenty-fourth largest city in the state of California. The 2010 US Census reported the city's population grew 16.7% from the year 2000 to 176,320 residents. It is located about northwest of downtown...
– Awarded franchise in 2006, but ownership was unable to find or build a ballpark.
- Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
- Awarded franchise in 2009, still expected to play in the 2012 season. The GBL and later NAL didn't allow Palm Springs to have the team play in 2010 and 2011, due to Palm Springs StadiumPalm Springs Stadium is a stadium in Palm Springs, California. It is primarily used for baseball. It was formerly named Angels Stadium and was the home field of the Palm Springs Suns of the Western Baseball League in 1995 and 1996. Palm Springs Stadium is currently the home of the Palm Springs...
's substandard facility standards.
2005 Season
- Standings
| PL |
California Division |
W |
L |
GB |
|
PL |
Arizona Division |
W |
L |
GB |
| 1 |
San Diego The San Diego Surf Dawgs are an independent professional baseball team representing San Diego, California, that play in the short-season instructional Arizona Winter League and Arizona Summer League, based out of Yuma, Arizona. They played for two seasons in the now-defunct Golden Baseball League,...
-x |
52 |
38 |
-- |
|
1 |
Mesa The Mesa Miners are an independent professional baseball team that is based in Mesa, Arizona. They began as a member of the Arizona Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League in 2005...
-x |
51 |
39 |
-- |
| 2 |
ChicoThe Chico Outlaws are a professional baseball team based in Chico, California, in the United States. The Outlaws are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
-y |
49 |
41 |
3 |
|
2 |
Yuma The Yuma Scorpions are a professional baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, in the United States. The Scorpions are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League. From the 2005 season to the present, the Scorpions have played their home games at Desert Sun Stadium at the...
|
47 |
43 |
4 |
| 3 |
Long Beach The Long Beach Armada was an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
-y |
49 |
41 |
3 |
|
3 |
Surprise The Surprise Fightin' Falcons are an inactive professional baseball team based in Surprise, Arizona. They played in the Arizona Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
45 |
45 |
6 |
| 4 |
Fullerton The Fullerton Flyers are a professional baseball team based in Fullerton, California, in the United States. They are an independent franchise which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
34 |
56 |
18 |
|
4 |
Samurai Bears The Japan Samurai Bears are a defunct traveling professional baseball team that played in the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. They were based in the Arizona Division...
|
33 |
57 |
18 |
x-Division Champion y-Wild Card (Division champions and top two wild card teams go to Championship.)
- Playoffs and Championship (4 team double-elimination, final 2 teams face in one game playoff):
| Game 1 |
SAN DIEGO 9 Chico 0 |
| Game 2 |
MESA 8 Long Beach 0 |
| Game 3 |
CHICO 7 Long Beach 5 (Long Beach eliminated) |
| Game 4 |
MESA 2 San Diego 0 |
| Game 5 |
SAN DIEGO 2 Chico 1 (Chico eliminated) |
| Championship Game |
SAN DIEGO 9 Mesa 6 (San Diego wins championship) |
| MVP |
Cody Clark, San Diego |
- Awards:
| Year |
Most Valuable Player |
Pitcher of the Year |
Rookie of the Year |
Rookie Pitcher of the Year |
Manager of the Year |
Executive of the Year |
| 2005 |
Desi Wilson Desi Bernard Wilson was a first baseman for the San Francisco Giants in the 1996 season. He was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1991 amateur draft, and traded to the Giants, along with Rich Aurilia, for pitcher John Burkett....
, 1B/OF, Surprise |
Grant Gregg, LHP, Chico |
Nick Guerra, C/3B, San Diego |
Manny Ayala Manuel Ayala is a professional baseball pitcher who used to be in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, and now plays for Calgary Vipers, in the North American League. He attended East Los Angeles Community College....
, RHP, Mesa |
Terry Kennedy Terrence Edward Kennedy is a former All-Star Major League Baseball catcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , San Diego Padres , Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants . Kennedy batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He is the son of former major league player and manager Bob Kennedy...
, San Diego |
Bob Linscheid, Chico |
Gold Glove winners:
Pitcher: Adam PettyjohnAdam Christopher Pettyjohn is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. Pettyjohn attended Exeter High School in California and then Fresno State University where he was a teammate of pitcher Jeff Weaver...
, Long Beach
Catcher: Cody Clark-Coaching history:Clark was the sixth head football coach at Marquette University located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and he held that position for the 1907 season.His coaching record at Marquette was 6 wins, 0 losses, and 0 ties...
, San Diego
First base: Yuji Nerei, Samurai Bears
Second base: Kenichi Miura, Samurai Bears
Third base: Sean Walsh, Fullerton
Shortstop: Jeremy HernandezJeremy Stuart Hernandez is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Hernandez, who is of Mexican descent, played in five seasons in the major leagues, from until . During that time, he pitched in 133 games, all in relief.-External links:...
, Long Beach
Outfielders Marcus KnightMarcus Knight is a former National Football League wide receiver/kick returner for the Oakland Raiders and a former Arena Football League wide receiver/defensive back for the Columbus Destroyers....
, Mesa; Billy Brown, Surprise; Travis McAndrews, Long Beach
2006 season
- Standings:
| PL |
1st Half Standings |
W |
L |
GB |
|
PL |
2nd Half Standings |
W |
L |
GB |
| 1 |
Reno The Reno Silver Sox were a professional baseball team based in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. They were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
-z |
25 |
15 |
-- |
|
1 |
Fullerton The Fullerton Flyers are a professional baseball team based in Fullerton, California, in the United States. They are an independent franchise which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
-x |
26 |
14 |
-- |
| 2 |
ChicoThe Chico Outlaws are a professional baseball team based in Chico, California, in the United States. The Outlaws are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
22 |
18 |
3 |
|
2 |
ChicoThe Chico Outlaws are a professional baseball team based in Chico, California, in the United States. The Outlaws are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
24 |
16 |
2 |
| 3 |
Long Beach The Long Beach Armada was an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
22 |
18 |
3 |
|
3 |
Reno The Reno Silver Sox were a professional baseball team based in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. They were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
22 |
18 |
4 |
| 4 |
Yuma The Yuma Scorpions are a professional baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, in the United States. The Scorpions are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League. From the 2005 season to the present, the Scorpions have played their home games at Desert Sun Stadium at the...
|
18 |
22 |
7 |
|
4 |
San Diego The San Diego Surf Dawgs are an independent professional baseball team representing San Diego, California, that play in the short-season instructional Arizona Winter League and Arizona Summer League, based out of Yuma, Arizona. They played for two seasons in the now-defunct Golden Baseball League,...
|
19 |
21 |
7 |
| 5 |
Fullerton The Fullerton Flyers are a professional baseball team based in Fullerton, California, in the United States. They are an independent franchise which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
17 |
23 |
8 |
|
5 |
Long Beach The Long Beach Armada was an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
15 |
25 |
11 |
| 6 |
San Diego The San Diego Surf Dawgs are an independent professional baseball team representing San Diego, California, that play in the short-season instructional Arizona Winter League and Arizona Summer League, based out of Yuma, Arizona. They played for two seasons in the now-defunct Golden Baseball League,...
|
16 |
24 |
9 |
|
6 |
Yuma The Yuma Scorpions are a professional baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, in the United States. The Scorpions are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League. From the 2005 season to the present, the Scorpions have played their home games at Desert Sun Stadium at the...
|
14 |
26 |
12 |
z-First-half champion and best overall record, x-second-half champion (Champions of each half face in 5-game series for championship. If one team wins both halves, the team with next best overall record receives championship bid.)
- Championship (best of 5 game series):
| Game 1 |
RENO 11 Fullerton 4 |
| Game 2 |
RENO 5 Fullerton 4 |
| Game 3 |
FULLERTON 9 Reno 5 |
| Game 4 |
RENO 5 Fullerton 3 (Reno wins championship) |
| MVP |
Doug Gredvig, Reno |
- Awards:
| Year |
Most Valuable Player |
Pitcher of the Year |
Rookie of the Year |
Rookie Pitcher of the Year |
Manager of the Year |
Executive of the Year |
| 2006 |
Peanut Williams, 1B/DH, Fullerton |
Chris Jakubauskas Christopher James "Chris" Jakubauskas is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball.-College career:...
, RHP, Fullerton |
Matt Maloney, OF, San Diego |
Phil Springman, RHP, Chico |
Les Lancaster Lester Lancaster , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1987–1993 and is currently the manager of the Sioux City Explorers....
, Reno |
Becca Hoffer, Chico |
All-League Team:
Catcher: Marcus JensenMarcus Christian Jensen is a former professional baseball player. He played catcher for the San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, St...
, Reno
First base: Desi WilsonDesi Bernard Wilson was a first baseman for the San Francisco Giants in the 1996 season. He was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1991 amateur draft, and traded to the Giants, along with Rich Aurilia, for pitcher John Burkett....
, Chico
Second base: Adam Mandel, San Diego
Third base: Henry Calderon, Yuma
Shortstop: Bret LeVier, Fullerton
Utility: Craig Kuzmic, Chico
Outfielders: Seth Pietsch, San Diego; Jason Van Meetren, Chico; Jeff LaRue, Long Beach;
Scott GoodmanScott Goodman is an Australian butterfly swimmer, who competed at the Atlanta Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the 200m butterfly....
, San Diego
Designated hitter: Peanut Williams, Fullerton
Starting Pitchers: Chris JakubauskasChristopher James "Chris" Jakubauskas is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball.-College career:...
, Fullerton; Andre Simpson, Long Beach; Ben Thurmond, Reno; Phil Springman, Chico; Brian Kroll, Chico; Nate Sevier, Reno
Relief Pitchers: Josh Rummonds, San Diego; Scott Schneider, Reno; E.J. Shanks, San Diego; Mike Peck, Long Beach; Wes Faust, Fullerton
Gold Glove Winners:
Pitcher: James Johnson, Reno
Catcher: Marcus JensenMarcus Christian Jensen is a former professional baseball player. He played catcher for the San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, St...
, Reno
First base: Desi WilsonDesi Bernard Wilson was a first baseman for the San Francisco Giants in the 1996 season. He was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1991 amateur draft, and traded to the Giants, along with Rich Aurilia, for pitcher John Burkett....
, Chico
Second base: Rob Gandolfo, Chico
Third base: Henry Calderon, Yuma
Shortstop: Hector Tena, Yuma
Outfielders Chris Klemm, Long Beach; Lino Garcia, Chico;
Ryan Webb, Long Beach
2007 season
- Standings:
| PL |
1st Half Standings |
W |
L |
GB |
|
PL |
2nd Half Standings |
W |
L |
GB |
| 1 |
ChicoThe Chico Outlaws are a professional baseball team based in Chico, California, in the United States. The Outlaws are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
-x |
25 |
13 |
-- |
|
1 |
Long Beach-z |
25 |
13 |
-- |
| 2 |
Long Beach |
23 |
15 |
2 |
|
2 |
Yuma The Yuma Scorpions are a professional baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, in the United States. The Scorpions are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League. From the 2005 season to the present, the Scorpions have played their home games at Desert Sun Stadium at the...
|
21 |
17 |
4 |
| 3 |
Yuma The Yuma Scorpions are a professional baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, in the United States. The Scorpions are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League. From the 2005 season to the present, the Scorpions have played their home games at Desert Sun Stadium at the...
|
21 |
17 |
4 |
|
3 |
ChicoThe Chico Outlaws are a professional baseball team based in Chico, California, in the United States. The Outlaws are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
19 |
19 |
6 |
| 4 |
Orange County |
19 |
19 |
6 |
|
4 |
Orange County |
18 |
20 |
7 |
| 5 |
Reno The Reno Silver Sox were a professional baseball team based in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. They were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
18 |
20 |
7 |
|
5 |
St. George |
16 |
22 |
9 |
| 6 |
St. George |
7 |
31 |
18 |
|
6 |
Reno The Reno Silver Sox were a professional baseball team based in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. They were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
15 |
23 |
10 |
x-1st half champion, z-2nd half champion and best overall record
- Championship (best of 5 game series):
| Game 1 |
CHICO 10 Long Beach 4 |
| Game 2 |
CHICO 12 Long Beach 8 |
| Game 3 |
LONG BEACH 7 Chico 5 |
| Game 4 |
CHICO 6 Long Beach 1 (Chico wins championship) |
| MVP |
Scott Dragicevich, Chico |
- Awards:
| Year |
Most Valuable Player |
Pitcher of the Year |
Rookie of the Year |
Rookie Pitcher of the Year |
Executive of the Year |
| 2007 |
Daniel Nava, OF, Chico |
Todd Gelatka, RHP, Chico |
Kane Simmons, OF, Reno |
Dustin Gober, RHP, Long Beach |
Curt Jacey, Reno |
All-League Team:
Catcher: Buddy Morales, Orange County
First base: Jaime Martinez, Long Beach
Second base: David BacaniDavid Bacani is a utility infielder who plays in the Boston Red Sox organization. Bacani plays shortstop, second base, and third base, and has also been used sparingly as a relief pitcher. He was born on July 30, 1979 in Long Beach, California...
, Orange County
Third base: Henry Calderon, Yuma
Shortstop: Jesse Kovacs, Chico
Utility: Ryan Stevenson, St. George
Outfielders: Daniel Nava, Chico; Kane Simmons, Reno; Johnny Kaplan, Long Beach Yosvanny Almario, Yuma
Designated hitter: Peanut Williams, Orange County
Starting Pitchers: Ben Fox, Orange County; Derek Loop, Chico; Ryan Claypool, Long Beach; Roger Luque, Yuma;
Dusty BergmanDustin Michael Bergman is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He is an alumnus of University of Hawai'i at Manoa....
, Reno
Relief Pitchers: Todd Gelatka, Chico;
Dane De La RosaDane D. De La Rosa is a minor league baseball relief pitcher currently on the Tampa Bay Rays active roster....
, Long Beach; Anthony Pluta, St. George; Neil Hayes, Yuma
2008 season
- Overall Standings:
| PL |
North Division Standings |
W |
L |
Winning % |
GB |
|
PL |
South Division Standings |
W |
L |
Winning % |
GB |
| 1 |
Edmonton The Edmonton Capitals are a professional baseball team based in Edmonton, Alberta. Known originally as the Edmonton Cracker-Cats, they began play in the Northern League in 2005 before switching to the Golden Baseball League in 2008. The team was sold to Daryl Katz in 2009, after which the team was...
-y |
51 |
37 |
.580 |
-- |
|
1 |
Orange County-x |
51 |
35 |
.593 |
-- |
| 2 |
Calgary The Calgary Vipers were a professional baseball team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They were part of the Western Division of the independent North American League. The Vipers have played all of their home games at Foothills Stadium. Previously, the Vipers played in the Northern League from...
-x |
45 |
42 |
.517 |
5½ |
|
2 |
Yuma The Yuma Scorpions are a professional baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, in the United States. The Scorpions are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League. From the 2005 season to the present, the Scorpions have played their home games at Desert Sun Stadium at the...
|
48 |
40 |
.545 |
4 |
| 3 |
ChicoThe Chico Outlaws are a professional baseball team based in Chico, California, in the United States. The Outlaws are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
34 |
52 |
.395 |
16 |
|
3 |
Long Beach The Long Beach Armada was an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
-y |
47 |
40 |
.540 |
4½ |
| 4 |
Reno The Reno Silver Sox were a professional baseball team based in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. They were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
30 |
58 |
.341 |
21 |
|
4 |
St. George |
43 |
45 |
.489 |
9 |
x-1st half division champion, y-2nd half division champion
- 2008 All-Star Game:
- 2008 - United League Baseball All-Stars
These are the players and coaches selected as All-Stars for United League Baseball, an independent professional baseball league which began play in 2006...
8, Golden Baseball League All-Stars 5 (July 15, 2008, San Angelo, TexasSan Angelo is a city in the state of Texas. Located in West Central Texas it is the county seat of Tom Green County. As of 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total population of 93,200...
)
- Northern Division Playoff (best of 5 game series):
| Game 1 |
CALGARY 8, Edmonton 4 |
| Game 2 |
CALGARY 8, Edmonton 2 |
| Game 3 |
Edmonton 1, CALGARY 8 (Calgary wins series 3-0) |
- Southern Division Playoff (best of 5 game series):
| Game 1 |
ORANGE COUNTY 4, Long Beach 2 |
| Game 2 |
Orange County 4, LONG BEACH 5 |
| Game 3 |
LONG BEACH 13, Orange County 4 |
| Game 4 |
Long Beach 3, ORANGE COUNTY 4 |
| Game 5 |
Long Beach 2, ORANGE COUNTY 12 (Orange County wins series 3-2) |
- Championship (best of 5 game series):
| Game 1 |
Orange County 5, CALGARY 6 |
| Game 2 |
ORANGE COUNTY 13, Calgary 1 |
| Game 3 |
Calgary 9, ORANGE COUNTY 14 |
| Game 4 |
CALGARY 9, Orange County 1 |
| Game 5 |
Calgary 9, ORANGE COUNTY 10 (Flyers win Championship) |
| Series MVP |
Josh Arhart, Orange County |
- Awards:
| Year |
Safeway Most Valuable Player |
Pitcher of the Year |
Rookie of the Year |
Rookie Pitcher of the Year |
Manager of the Year |
Executive of the Year |
| 2008 |
Patrick Breen (Orange County) |
Trevor Caughey (Chico) |
Colin Moro (Calgary) |
Ben Shockey (Chico) |
Gary Carter Gary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
(Orange County) |
TBA |
All-League Team:
Catcher: TBA
First base: TBA
Second base: TBA
Third base: TBA
Shortstop: TBA
Utility: TBA
Outfielders: TBA
Designated hitter: TBA
Starting Pitchers: TBA
Relief Pitchers: TBA
2009 season
- Overall Standings:
| PL |
North Division Standings |
W |
L |
Winning % |
GB |
|
PL |
South Division Standings |
W |
L |
Winning % |
GB |
| 1 |
Calgary The Calgary Vipers were a professional baseball team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They were part of the Western Division of the independent North American League. The Vipers have played all of their home games at Foothills Stadium. Previously, the Vipers played in the Northern League from...
-x, y |
49 |
27 |
.645 |
-- |
|
1 |
St. George-x |
48 |
34 |
.585 |
-- |
| 2 |
Edmonton The Edmonton Capitals are a professional baseball team based in Edmonton, Alberta. Known originally as the Edmonton Cracker-Cats, they began play in the Northern League in 2005 before switching to the Golden Baseball League in 2008. The team was sold to Daryl Katz in 2009, after which the team was...
-z |
44 |
38 |
.537 |
8 |
|
2 |
Long Beach The Long Beach Armada was an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
40 |
36 |
.526 |
5 |
| 3 |
ChicoThe Chico Outlaws are a professional baseball team based in Chico, California, in the United States. The Outlaws are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
|
33 |
44 |
.429 |
16½ |
|
3 |
TucsonThe Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
-y |
38 |
35 |
.521 |
5½ |
| 4 |
Victoria The Victoria Seals were a professional baseball team based in Victoria, British Columbia. The Seals were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. They joined the GBL on October 1,...
|
32 |
50 |
.390 |
20 |
|
4 |
Orange County |
37 |
39 |
.487 |
8 |
| 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
Yuma The Yuma Scorpions are a professional baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, in the United States. The Scorpions are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League. From the 2005 season to the present, the Scorpions have played their home games at Desert Sun Stadium at the...
|
29 |
47 |
.382 |
16 |
x-1st half division champion, y-2nd half division champion, z-wild card
- Northern Division Playoff (best of 5 game series):
| Game 1 |
CALGARY 15, Edmonton 4 |
| Game 2 |
CALGARY 7, Edmonton 3 |
| Game 3 |
EDMONTON 13, Calgary 6 |
| Game 4 |
Edmonton 7, CALGARY 8 (Calgary wins series 3-1) |
- Southern Division Playoff (best of 5 game series):
| Game 1 |
TUCSON 9, St. George 4 |
| Game 2 |
ST. GEORGE 6, Tucson 3 |
| Game 3 |
ST. GEORGE 1, Tucson 0 |
| Game 4 |
St. George 1, TUCSON 5 |
| Game 5 |
St. George 4, TUCSON 5 (Tucson wins series 3-2) |
- Championship (best of 5 game series):
| Game 1 |
CALGARY 9, Tucson 8 |
| Game 2 |
CALGARY 11, Tucson 4 |
| Game 3 |
TUCSON 12, Calgary 1 |
| Game 4 |
Tucson 10, CALGARY 18 (Calgary wins championship) |
| Series MVP |
Sergio Pedroza (Calgary) |
- Awards:
| Year |
Player of the Year |
Pitcher of the Year |
Rookie of the Year |
Rookie Pitcher of the Year |
Manager of the Year |
Executive of the Year |
| 2009 |
Nelson Castro (Calgary) |
Matt Durbin (Orange County) |
Reynaldo Rodriquez (Yuma) |
Mikael Ryder (Chico) |
Morgan Burkhart (Calgary) |
Darren Parker (Victoria) |
- Attendance (paid):
| Team |
Total |
Average |
| Tucson |
139,149 |
3,661 |
| Victoria |
93,691 |
2,342 |
| Chico |
89,276 |
2,177 |
| Edmonton |
84,813 |
2,174 |
| Calgary |
54,910 |
1,525 |
| Long Beach |
54,931 |
1,408 |
| Yuma |
41,578 |
1,259 |
| St. George |
44,417 |
1,168 |
| Orange County |
28,344 |
944 |
2006 GBL All-Star Game
The GBL played their very first All-Star Game on July 18, 2006 at Chico's
Nettleton StadiumNettleton Stadium is a baseball stadium in Chico, California on the campus of California State University, Chico. It is the home field for the CSU Chico Baseball team, the Wildcats, and the Chico Outlaws of the independent Golden League. It holds 4,200 people. The stadium was named for majority...
pitting the North All-Stars against the South All-Stars.
2008 United League vs. Golden League All-Star Game
The GBL reached a two-year agreement with the
United LeagueUnited League Baseball was an independent baseball league that operated in Texas. It later merged with the Northern League and the Golden Baseball League to form the North American League.- History :...
to face off in All-Star Games. The 2008 game was hosted by the ULB's
San Angelo ColtsThe San Angelo Colts are a professional baseball team based in San Angelo, Texas, in the United States. The Colts are a member of North American League, an independent professional league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
, while the 2009 game was to be hosted by the Orange County Flyers.
With the bankruptcy of the United League in the off-season after 2008 and the ensuing new ownership of the ULB not honoring the agreement to send a team to play the GBL in the 2009 All-Star game, the second half of this agreement was canceled.
2009 GBL All-Star Game
The GBL held its own All-Star Game, North vs. South, in
St. George, UtahSt. George is a city located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Utah, and the county seat of Washington County, Utah. It is the principal city of and is included in the St. George, Utah, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is 119 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, and 303 miles ...
- home of the RoadRunners on Tuesday, July 14. In front of a packed house the fans saw an exciting contest and also saw pitchers Donnie Brandt and Isaac Hess purchased by major league organizations during the game by Milwaukee and Boston respectively.
Fehlandt LentiniFehlandt A. Lentini is an American professional baseball player who currently plays for Amarillo Sox of the American Association. Lentini, an outfielder, has played with many different minor and independent league teams over his career, which began in 2001 with the Martinsville Astros of the...
won the
home run derbyThe Home Run Derby is an event played prior to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It is a contest among the top home run hitters in Major League Baseball to determine who can hit the most home runs. The event is currently sponsored by State Farm Insurance...
.
2010 and 2011 GBL All-Star Games
On December 9, 2009 the GBL and the Northern League announced a two year agreement that would pit the all-stars of the two leagues against each other in the mid-summer classic. The 2010 game will be in Tucson on July 14 while the leagues will face off in
Zion, IllinoisZion is a city in Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 22,866 at the 2000 census, and estimated at 24,303 as of 2005. The city was founded in July 1901 by John Alexander Dowie. He also started the Zion Tabernacle of the Christian Catholic Apostolic Church, which was the only...
at the newest ballpark (currently under construction) in the Northern League.
Arizona Winter League
On November 15, 2006, the Golden Baseball League announced the
Arizona Winter LeagueThe Arizona Winter League is the short-season instructional independent winter professional baseball league affiliated with the independent North American League...
, which would be a short-season instructional league for its summer league. The league began play on January 19, 2007. The Arizona Winter League has just completed its third season. In the first three years, over 130 Arizona Winter League players have been signed to professional contracts. Two of those players, Scott Richmond and Sergio Romo, are now pitching in the major leagues. The 2009 Arizona Winter League began play on January 31, 2009 and has expanded to 8 teams and almost 200 players.
Arizona Summer League
On April 3, 2009, the Golden Baseball League announced its second instructional league known as the
Arizona Summer LeagueThe Arizona Summer League is a short-season instructional summer professional baseball league affiliated with the independent North American League...
, which is patterned after the AWL. This league consists of three teams, the Canada Miners,
El Centro ImperialsThe El Centro Imperials are an inactive independent professional baseball team based out of El Centro, California. Founded in 1947 and revived on April 3, 2009, the Imperials were introduced as one of the four charter members of the new Arizona Summer League, an instructional summer professional...
and
San Luis AtleticosThe San Luis Atleticos are a professional independent baseball team based in San Luis, Arizona, representing that city and Mexico. They play in the developmental Arizona Winter League, a short-season instructional winter league affiliated with the Golden Baseball League and play in the...
and began play in late June 2009. The ASL had 12 players signed to pro contracts during the 2009 season.
The
Bisbee MinersThe Bisbee Miners were a season-season independent professional baseball team that played in the Arizona Summer League representing Bisbee, Arizona. They play their home games at Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma, Arizona, home of the North American League's Yuma Scorpions. They were one of two teams...
,
Long Beach ArmadaThe Long Beach Armada was an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
and
San Diego Surf DawgsThe San Diego Surf Dawgs are an independent professional baseball team representing San Diego, California, that play in the short-season instructional Arizona Winter League and Arizona Summer League, based out of Yuma, Arizona. They played for two seasons in the now-defunct Golden Baseball League,...
joined the ASL for the 2010 season.
Television
The Yuma Scorpions became the first franchise in the league to broadcast select games on Adelphia Cable, which were produced by
Arizona Western CollegeArizona Western College is a public community college located in Yuma, Arizona, United States. AWC offers classes in San Luis, Somerton, Marine Corp Air Station , Wellton, Dateland, and La Paz....
Television Services.
The Edmonton Capitals televised selected games by reaching an agreement with
Shaw TVShaw TV is a locally-based community channel service operated by cable TV company Shaw Communications, and is available to Shaw Cable subscribers in most major communities throughout western Canada....
.
The Golden Baseball League announced they had reached a deal with iBN Sports to broadcast 40 games on the internet showing various teams.
The Chico Outlaws agreed to a deal with
Comcast SportsNetComcast SportsNet is a group of regional sports networks in the United States primarily owned by the Comcast cable television company....
to carry selected games in 2009.
External links