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43-738: In 2009, Tom Macari and Scott Price created the East Bay Lumberjacks . The Lumberjacks played in various semi-professional leagues from 2009–2012. In 2012, the Lumberjacks faced their first professional opponent in a spring training exhibition game against the San Rafael Pacifics of the North American League . At the time, the club had nine former affiliated players as well as former Major League Baseball pitcher Wayne Franklin . In August, they played

86-696: A .383 average. In August, he was signed by the Lake Elsinore Storm , the High-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres . In the 2016 and 2017 seasons, San Rafael held a combined 73–83 record and did not make a post-season appearance. In 2018, the Pacific Association expanded to six teams with the addition of Martinez and Napa . On May 28, Pacifics announced the signing of J. P. Howell . San Rafael finished second with

129-472: A 50–30 regular season record. The Pacifics then defeated Vallejo and Sonoma in the post-season to claim their third league championship. Outfielder, Javion Randle was named Most Valuable Player. Pitcher Jared Koenig was named Pitcher of the Year. In late August, the team announced they were being put up for sale. In December of 2018, the franchise announced that the team was purchased by Gabe Suárez . For

172-709: A desire to join a new independent league in Northern California for the 2020 season and beyond. The Pacifics were purchased by Andrew Dunn, founder of the Pecos League in March 2020 after the Pacifics and the Pacific Association agreed to not continue their affiliation due to major differences in operating a sound independent baseball league. San Rafael was originally scheduled to appear in

215-737: A franchise attendance record in game four, with 4859 fans at the game. On September 12, 2009, the Vipers finally won their first professional baseball championship by defeating the Tucson Toros 3 games to 1 to capture the GBL Championship in front of over 2,000 fans at Foothills Stadium. They eliminated the Edmonton Capitals by the same 3 games to 1 in the North Division Championship to get back to

258-555: A grudge after both Morrison, and another former Viper, J.P. Fauske defected to the Cracker-Cats after leaving the Vipers after a falling out with the Calgary manager late in the 2005 season. The Vipers finished first in their division in the first half of 2007 with a record of 29–19, and qualified for the playoffs for the first time. During the season, outfielder Darryl Brinkley became the first minor league baseball player of

301-534: A portion of ticket sales to the Pat Tillman foundation. The Pacifics won both halves of the season, earning them their first Pacific Association championship with a 48–30 record. In 2015, former player Matt Kavanaugh was announced as manager. San Rafael finished with a 48–30 record, defeating Sonoma in the championship game. Matt Chavez was unanimously named the leagues Most Valuable Player. Over 66 games, Chavez had 31 home runs and 85 RBI while hitting for

344-480: A string of bean balls in the first two innings touched off two major brawls between the Vipers and their provincial rivals, the Edmonton Cracker-Cats . After Edmonton's Greg Morrison was hit by a Calgary pitch for the fourth time in five games, the Cracker-Cats responded by throwing at two Calgary players. The resulting melee was so violent that the umpires sent both teams off the field, and suspended

387-650: The Freedom Pro Baseball League of Arizona . After a 3–3 start, manager James Frisbee resigned and hitting coach Ryan Priddy was named manager. Shortly after, Frisbee joined the Rockford Aviators of the Frontier League . San Rafael finished with a 54–21 first place record but fell to Maui in the championship game. Infielder Price Kendall was named Most Valuable Player. After the 2013 season, Maui and Hawaii folded. To fill

430-708: The Golden Baseball League in 2009, having defeated the Tucson Toros in the Championship Series. Management problems surfaced just prior to the end of the 2011 season. By the end of the 2011 Season, it became apparent that the Vipers were financially moribund, and would not be back for 2012. Calgary had been served by the Triple-A Calgary Cannons of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) for 18 years until

473-485: The New York Mets , becoming the first Pacific Association player to make the major leagues. After a 38–26 regular season record, San Rafael defeated Napa and Sonoma , claiming their fourth championship. Shortstop Raúl Navarro was named Most Valuable Player. Reliever Jailen Peguero was named Co-Reliever of the Year. In November 2019, the Pacifics announced their departure from the Pacific Association , citing

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516-536: The Pacific Association along with Hawaii , Sonoma County and Maui . Later it would be announced that the Vallejo Admirals would be taking place of the Grapes. On January 21, James Frisbie was announced as their new manager. The club also announced Stefan Wever as the bench coach. On March 20, Jeff Russell was announced as pitching coach. San Rafael opened their season with inter-league play against

559-850: The Sonoma County Grapes in another exhibition game while the other remaining teams in the North Division were playing games in Hawaii . On February 6, 2013, it was announced the Lumberjacks would be playing against Hawaii , Maui , San Rafael and Vallejo of the newly formed Pacific Association . They were slated to play in an abbreviated 15 game season of inter-league play. They played their home games at Laney College in Oakland and were managed by Roland Nazar. On June 7, they made their regular season debut against San Rafael where they were defeated. After four regular season games,

602-555: The Sonoma County Grapes . Hawaii Baseball LLC, owners of Maui also started a second franchise, the Hawaii Stars . The four teams traveled to and from Hawaii and California to play each other. On April 2, the Pacifics announced the signing of Tomochika Tsuboi . On June 4, the Pacifics made their franchise debut, defeating the Grapes 3–1 at Albert Park . Former Fresno State College World Series champion and local player Steve Detwiler hit two home runs. San Rafael finished

645-738: The Tucson Saguaros in the Pacific Division championship series. On June 8, former Pacifics' pitcher Jared Koenig made his Major League Baseball debut for the Oakland Athletics , becoming the second Pacific to make the major leagues. Koenig won Pacific Association pitcher of the year in 2018, going 11-1 with a 3.54 ERA in 96 + 2 ⁄ 3 innings pitched. Koenig also set a Pacific Association record with 140 strikeouts. On January 16, 2023, Austin Fitzpatrick

688-570: The 2019 season, it was announced that Martinez folded and Pittsburg would take a hiatus. The Salina Stockade joined as a traveling team. On May 16, Derrick Pyles was announced as manager, replacing Kavanaugh who guided the team to two championships in four seasons. After a 7–2 start to the season, the Suarez ownership group released Pyles of his duties. Oscar Suarez was named manager the following week. On June 29, former 2018 Pacifics' pitcher Chris Mazza made his Major League Baseball debut for

731-618: The East Bay Lumberjacks rebranded to the Bay Cal Lumberjacks. The Lumberjacks finished in fifth place and played in the post-season play-in tournament, effectively ending their season. After finishing the 2013 season with a 7–30 record, the team did not return for the 2014 season. They were replaced in the league by the Pittsburg Mettle , who were co-owned by Macari and Franklin. In the winter of 2014,

774-584: The Lumberjacks played an exhibition series against the Humboldt Crabs of the Far West League . East Bay then traveled to Hawaii where they played six regular season games against the Stars and Na Koa Ikaika . On June 21, the Lumberjacks defeated Na Koa Ikaika 6–5, earning them their first professional victory. In early July, Vallejo cancelled their trip to Hawaii, creating a vacancy in

817-561: The Lumberjacks rejoined the semi-professional ranks in a four-team San Francisco Money League, where they played from November to February. Finishing 7–1 in the regular season, the Lumberjacks defeated Castro Valley Braves in a best-of 3 championship series. † 2013 post-season was also included in regular season record. San Rafael Pacifics The San Rafael Pacifics are an American professional baseball team based in San Rafael, California , United States . They compete in

860-462: The Pacific Division of the Pecos League , an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major or Minor League Baseball . They were previous members of the North American League and charter members of the Pacific Association . The Pacifics have played their homes games at Albert Park since 2012. The Pacifics were the winningest franchise of the Pacific Association, capturing four championships in seven seasons. On November 3, 2011,

903-547: The Pacific Division of the 2020 Pecos League season, but ultimately had their season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Stephen Leonetti was named manager. San Rafael finished 22–18 in the regular season and defeated the Martinez Sturgeon in the bay championship series. In 2022, former player Kyle Ulanday was named manager. San Rafael finished with a Pecos League best 41–9 record but were defeated by

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946-543: The aging Foothills Stadium as part of an ambitious plan for the team. However, little movement was seen with the franchise, causing the league to investigate the status of the team in November, 2004. A month later, on December 10, commissioner Mike Stone announced that he had revoked the franchise, stripping Calgary Baseball LLC of its ownership. On February 11, 2005, the league sold the franchise to Winnipeg businessman Jeffrey Gidney. He had less than three months before

989-551: The best-of-five GBL Championship Series to the Orange County Flyers 3 games to 2. In the 2009 season, the Vipers won both halves of the season, qualifying for the playoffs as the North Division regular season champions along with the second-place Edmonton Capitals. In the playoffs the Vipers won their first round series against the Capitals to win their second straight GBL North Division championship. The Vipers set

1032-741: The departed Palm Springs Chill , who formed their own instructional league. They will play in the new Canadian division along with the Saskatchewan Silver Sox , Team Canada and Western Canada Miners . They will be managed in the AWL by former Montreal Expo legend Boots Day , who also serves as bench coach for the parent GBL team. The Vipers defeated the San Luis Atleticos , 8–1, in the AWL Championship Game shortened to eight innings due to rain. They became

1075-579: The finals. It was the second straight year Calgary defeated a rival team from Edmonton. It is the first pro baseball championship for the city of Calgary ever (the Calgary Cannons of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League lost the title twice in the early 1990s), the first time a Canadian team has captured the title and the first time ever for an original privately owned franchise to do so. (The Orange County Flyers, who won

1118-461: The first team in history to capture both the GBL and AWL titles since the GBL's and AWL's respective inceptions. More impressive is that it was done within one calendar year. They would not return to the AWL in 2011. The Vipers were one of six former GBL teams to join the newly formed North American League in 2010 and began play in 2011. The team ceased operation following 2012 season due the demise of

1161-588: The following night, defeating the Explorers 12–2. The team played its first game at home on May 27, defeating the Joliet Jackhammers 9–8 in 11 innings. Off the field, the Vipers finished last in attendance, averaging just over 1100 fans. However, crowds slowly improved as the season went on and the Vipers grew from a bare bones operation, and as the weather improved following a month of June that featured record amounts of rainfall. On June 13, 2006,

1204-417: The game for over an hour to consult with league officials. When the Cracker-Cats refused to return to the field afterward, the game was declared a forfeit and the Vipers were awarded a 9–0 victory. The league came down hard on both teams, as both managers and seven players were suspended a total of 79 games. Morrison blamed Calgary manager Mike Busch for the incident, believing that Busch continues to hold

1247-541: The modern era to achieve a .400 batting average . Brinkley was named the Independent League Player of the Year by Baseball America . In the playoffs, they faced the second half winning Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in the North Division championship. The Vipers defeated the RedHawks 9–4 in the first game of the series to win their playoff debut, en route to a three-game sweep of Fargo as they won

1290-576: The pennant and earned a berth in the Northern League Championship Series. The Vipers won the first game of the final series against the Gary SouthShore RailCats , 7–6, on a two-run, walk-off home run by Carlos Duncan . The teams traded wins in the first four games, forcing the series to a decisive fifth game. The RailCats won the game, and the championship, 5–1. The playoff run would prove to be

1333-476: The schedule. On July 5, the Pacific Association announced the admission of the East Bay Lumberjacks as a full league member. The admission meant another nine regular season games in Hawaii along with post-season eligibility. To assist with travel costs, the Lumberjacks traveled to Hawaii with limited players. The remaining roster was made up of former local collegiate and North American League players. On August 13,

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1376-404: The season 34–26, defeating Maui in the North Division championship series. Outfielder Maikel Jova was named North American League Most Valuable Player and also held a 37 game hit streak. The North American Baseball League folded after the 2012 season and the Pacifics were the final champions of the league. On January 14, 2013, it was announced that San Rafael would become charter members of

1419-579: The start of play to hire staff, sign players and name the team. The team quickly named themselves the Vipers, and began signing players. Despite the short time frame, the Vipers managed to build a quality team on the field, finishing second in the Northern division in both halves of the season. They played the first game in franchise history, on the road against the Sioux City Explorers on May 20, 2005, losing 7–3. They won their first game

1462-416: The team name Pacifics was selected. The franchise was launched by Centerfield Partners of Dublin, California but was sold to Red Sports and Entertainment Group on November 15. The Pacifics announced Mike Marshall as manager and Mike LaCoss as pitching coach in November. With Calgary , Edmonton and Lake County folding in the North Division, the Pacifics ownership created a second franchise,

1505-578: The team relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2002. The Calgary Outlaws played half a season in 2003 in the independent Canadian Baseball League before the league folded, leaving the city without professional baseball in 2004. The college level Calgary Dawgs of the Western Major Baseball League also began play in 2003. The Northern League announced on April 3, 2004, that it was expanding to Alberta, granting new franchises to Edmonton and Calgary. The Calgary franchise

1548-558: The team's last hurrah in the Northern League, as both the Vipers and Edmonton Cracker Cats announced that they were leaving the league after declining to post $ 1 million performance bonds as asked for by the Northern League. Both teams jumped to the California based Golden Baseball League . The Vipers have been making headlines since moving to the GBL. They suggested that former National Hockey League star Theoren Fleury

1591-503: The title the previous year, were originally a league-owned team before they were sold to their current private ownership.) The Vipers won the championship on their third straight try after losing the Northern League title in 2007 and the GBL title in 2008. In October 2009, it was announced that the Vipers have launched a new instructional version of their team to begin play in the Arizona Winter League in 2010, replacing

1634-417: The void, Sonoma and Pittsburg were added to the league. On December 11, Dan DiPace was named manager. After clinching the first-half Pacific Association title with a 23–16 record, President and GM Mike Shapiro announced manager DiPace left to pursue other baseball opportunities. For the second consecutive season, Priddy filled in as manager. In August, Eric Byrnes made his debut, where San Rafael donated

1677-603: Was also included in regular season record. 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 played all of their home games at Foothills Stadium . Previously, the Vipers played in the Northern League from 2005 to 2007. The Vipers were champions of

1720-505: Was announced as manager. San Rafael finished with a 39–8 record and claimed their first Pecos League championship against Tucson. On May 21st, 2024, Soren O'Connell was announced as General Manager. Pitchers Catchers Infielders Outfielders Manager Coaches [REDACTED] Disabled list ‡ Inactive list § Suspended list Roster  updated July 17, 2024 Transactions † 2012, 2013 and 2015 post-season

1763-546: Was considering playing for the Vipers. The former Calgary Flame took batting practice with the team, and threw out the first pitch at their home opener. He hit a single in his first at-bat. The next play he charged hard for second but was forced out. Then, the Vipers traded pitcher John Odom to the Laredo Broncos of the United Baseball League for ten bats. Odom was unable to enter Canada and

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1806-486: Was to be owned by a pair of Japanese businessmen, Hiro Masawa and Naoto Higuchi, and incorporated as Calgary Baseball LLC. Due to the distance between the Alberta franchises and the Northern League's base in the midwest United States, the two teams were required to pay a C$ 60,000 annual travel subsidy to offset the costs for the other teams to fly into the city. Calgary Baseball LLC had promised to significantly renovate

1849-572: Was turned away at the Canadian border due to an unspecified criminal charge on his record. The Vipers intended to auction the bats off to raise funds for their Snakes and Batters charity fund, however they were instead sold to Ripley's Believe it or Not for $ 10,000. On September 5, 2008, the Vipers won the GBL North Division Championship outright by sweeping the Cracker-Cats 3 games to 0. On September 14, they lost

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