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54-607: The Flyers were an original charter team of the Golden Baseball League . After the collapse of that league, they were scheduled to join the new independent North American League , but sat out the 2011 season as they negotiated plans for a new stadium with the city of Fullerton. Those stadium plans never materialized. In May 2012, they announced they were joining the American West Baseball League (AWBL) and would play in 2013, but they left

108-642: A 4.92 ERA. His best season came in 2001 when Abbot won a career-high 17 games, going 17-4 in 27 starts as the Mariners tied the mark for most victories in a season with 116 wins. Abbot finished his playing career in 2005 as a member of the inaugural Fullerton Flyers team in the first year of the Golden League. The Fullerton native made 9 starts for the Flyers, going 3-5 with a 2.87 ERA. Abbott's coaching experience included working as an assistant coach for

162-516: A charter member of the league, only to learn that the government of the Mexican state of Baja California would not permit this. Three of the GBL's teams, Long Beach, Chico and Yuma, operated in cities that once hosted Western Baseball League teams. The WBL operated from 1995 to 2002. On May 9, 2005, Major League Baseball 's all-time stolen base leader, Rickey Henderson , signed a contract to play

216-688: A deal with iBN Sports to broadcast 40 games on the internet showing various teams. Long Beach Armada The Long Beach Armada were 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 (GBL), which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball . The Armada played its home games at Blair Field . The Armada fielded

270-530: A league record 20 home runs for the season. RHP Chris Jakubauskas was named the league's Pitcher of the Year for the 2006 season. The Flyers were sold on March 21, 2007, to an investment group called the Orange County Group. One of the investors was James Denton , part of the cast of Desperate Housewives . The sale of the Flyers made them the first Golden Baseball League team to ever be sold to

324-588: A major league uniform – Dane De La Rosa , Adam Pettyjohn , Scott Richmond , Chris Jakubauskas , Sergio Romo , Bobby Cramer , and Daniel Nava . The Golden Baseball League combined with United League Baseball and the Northern League into a new North American League for the 2011 season to form the first nationwide independent professional baseball league. However, the North American League folded after two seasons. The league

378-647: A pair of Silver Slugger Awards, led the NL in triples a record three straight years, and was the first player ever to have more than 100 hits from each side of the plate as he led the league with 211 in 1979. Garry began his managing career in the Anaheim Angels farm system in 1998 as he led the Cedar Rapids Class A team. He stayed as a manager in the Angels systems for the next three years progressing to

432-567: A private investment group. On March 28, 2007, they changed their name to the Orange County Flyers , but kept their team colors (blue and orange). Since their inception, the Fullerton Flyers/Orange County Flyers have been managed by hometown heroes, All-Stars and Hall of Famers. Before the team had a logo or even a name, it had Jumpsteady. Three-time National League All-Star Garry Templeton

486-604: 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 Outlaws , Fullerton Flyers , Long Beach Armada and San Diego Surf Dawgs in California; Mesa Miners , Surprise Fightin' Falcons and Yuma Scorpions in Arizona and

540-656: A team for the Arizona Summer League in 2010 months after suspending GBL operations, and then a team in the Arizona Winter League in 2011. The franchise has been owned by Diamond Sports & Entertainment, primary investors in the current North American League (NAL), since 2005. The team had 13 different players during its first five seasons that played at the major league level. In addition, 21 Long Beach Armada players have had their contracts purchased by major league organizations. The team

594-715: A web sensation in June 2009 with the video of his "spinning bat trick"; and former Dodger José Lima , who was on the roster at the time of his death in May 2010. In February 2008, The Armada signed Tony Torcato , who has since been traded to the Chico Outlaws. One month later, in March 2008, the Long Beach Armada signed former Major League Baseball pitcher Jerome Williams . Other ex-major leaguers who have played for

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648-716: The Calgary Vipers and Edmonton Cracker-Cats , 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 Seals , while the Reno Silver Sox moved to Tucson to become the Toros . The Cracker-Cats were sold to Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz and renamed the Edmonton Capitals for the 2009 season. On December 15, 2008,

702-831: The El Centro Imperials . On January 5, 2011, the Arizona Winter League released their schedule and it was announced the Armada would be joining the league along with the returning Sonora Pilots and two new teams, the Arizona RoadRunners and Team Mexico and would become the second team (behind the Surf Dawgs) to have played in all three leagues within the GBL/NABL system. Notable former Armada players include former MLB star José Canseco ; ex-Yankee Hideki Irabu ; outfielder Josh Womack , who became

756-611: The Fullerton Flyers . Mintz cited that "This is Fullerton's team". However, on April 13, 2012, the Flyers were sold to Godfather Media, LLC, which also owned the Yuma Panthers and would stay as the Orange County Flyers . The team was expected to play the 2012 season on the road as they could not come to an agreement with Cal State Fullerton to play at Goodwin Field. The Flyers' new ownership decided to withdraw from

810-736: The Japan Samurai Bears . 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

864-695: The Long Island Ducks in 2009, and he was named Head Baseball Coach for the NCAA Division II Palm Beach Atlantic University Sailfish in 2010. Carter died on February 16, 2012, of brain cancer. In December 2008, the Flyers named Phil Nevin the third manager in team history. Nevin, who won the Golden Spikes Award in 1992 as the best collegiate baseball player in the nation while with Cal State Fullerton, played 11 seasons in

918-719: The San Francisco Giants . These leagues folded with the NAL in 2013. On November 15, 2006, the Golden Baseball League announced the Arizona Winter 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

972-515: The 2005 season with the Surf Dawgs. The 2005 season ended with a four-team championship tournament on Labor Day 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 Canseco , another retired star, signed with the Surf Dawgs in 2006 as part of his attempt to return to baseball and promote his book, Juiced , along with its upcoming movie adaptation. Canseco

1026-600: The 2009 All-Star Game against the United League, the GBL held its own All-Star Game. The game was between the two divisions, taking place in St. George, Utah - home of the RoadRunners, on Tuesday, July 14. During the game, pitchers Donnie Brandt and Isaac Hess were purchased by major league organizations during the game by Milwaukee and Boston respectively. Fehlandt Lentini won the home run derby . On December 9, 2009

1080-494: The 2009 season. The Bisbee Miners , Long Beach Armada and San Diego Surf Dawgs joined the ASL for the 2010 season. The Yuma Scorpions became the first franchise in the league to broadcast select games on Adelphia Cable , which were produced by Arizona Western College Television Services. The Edmonton Capitals televised selected games by reaching an agreement with Shaw TV . The Golden Baseball League announced they had reached

1134-844: The Boston Red Sox. 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

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1188-491: 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

1242-736: The Erie AA, Edmonton AAA, and Salt Lake City AAA clubs. Sixteen members of the 2002 Anaheim Angels World Championship team played for Garry in the minors. In 2003 and 2004 Garry led the Gary Railcats of the Northern League as their field manager. Since leaving the Flyers after the club's first three seasons, Templeton has gone on to manage the Long Beach Armada (2009), Chico Outlaws (2010) and Na Koa Ikaika Maui (2011). The Flyers made Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter

1296-501: The Fullerton Junior College Hornets in addition to working with the Flyers as Pitching Coach last season. The Flyers announced on their website that they were working on plans to move from Goodwin Field (after six years) to Amerige Park , a former Pacific Coast League ballpark in downtown Fullerton, and were waiting for the city's decision. Rumors circulated that if the Flyers were not accommodated by

1350-633: The GBL Championship Series. The Flyers captured their first GBL Championship by beating the Calgary Vipers 3 games to 2 on September 14, 2008, capping off the best season in team history. On October 14, 2008, GBL Safeway Player of the Year Patrick Breen was picked up by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball . Carter was named Manager of the Year. Since leaving the Flyers, Carter managed

1404-747: 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 wAS in Tucson on July 14 while the leagues will face off in Zion, Illinois at the newest ballpark (currently under construction) in the Northern League. The GBL, then later the North American League , featured two small instructional leagues that helped produce future independent, minor league and even Major League Baseball standouts, including two-time World Series Champion Sergio Romo of

1458-484: The Long Beach Armada, to protect its ability to play at Blair Field , engaged lawyers to take action against the City of Long Beach and Long Beach State University alleging that the two public entities conspired to prematurely end the Armada's permit to play at Blair Field that still had three years left. The City of Long Beach made an arrangement to either sell or provide a long-term lease to Long Beach State University for

1512-656: The North All-Stars against the South All-Stars. The GBL reached a two-year agreement with the United League to face off in two All-Star Games. The 2008 game was hosted by the ULB's San Angelo Colts , while the 2009 game was to be hosted by the Orange County Flyers . However, the United League went bankrupt in the off-season after 2008, causing the 2009 All-Star Game to be cancelled. In replacement of

1566-654: The North American League in May 2012 because of uncertainty of the league's future and again sat out the season. After being purchased by Godfather Media, LLC, the Flyers announced they would revert to the Fullerton Flyers and play in Cummings' new league, the American West Baseball League (AWBL). The Flyers along with the Long Beach Splash, North County Cannons (San Diego), Yuma Panthers , and another unannounced team from Mesa, Arizona , were to be

1620-485: The Northern League and join the GBL for 2011 with the new format. United League teams joining the NAL include the Edinburg Roadrunners , Harlingen Whitewings and San Angelo Colts . 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

1674-545: 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 Pioneerzz , becoming the fifth former WBL city to join the league. In 2008, two former Northern League clubs,

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1728-610: 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. On May 20, 2009, the Yuma Sun reported that the team had signed an affiliation agreement with the Colombian Professional Baseball League (CPBL). Under the terms of the affiliation,

1782-534: The charter teams for the new league, which was to be based in Costa Mesa, California . Along with the new name, the Flyers also announced a new logo featuring blue, black, and white, and keeping a revised train logo. The league was delayed however and due to discrepancies with the AWBL and Godfather Media, the franchise ownership reverted to its previous owners, Western Sports & Entertainment Group. The future of

1836-534: The city of Long Beach. Dave 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 Earthquakes of Major League Soccer . The United League and the Northern League agreed to join the GBL for the 2011 season in the formation of the new North American League . The Rockford RiverHawks , Schaumburg Flyers , Joliet Jackhammers , and Lake County Fielders planned on leaving

1890-533: The city, they would have to relocate. On January 14, 2011, it was announced that the city of Fullerton and the Flyers had entered into an exclusive negotiating period to discuss plans for the Amerige Park location while they sit out the 2011 season. On November 23, 2011, team founder/president and chairman Alan Mintz initially announced that the team would return to action in the North American League for 2012 and would do so with their original identity,

1944-499: The college to take over the maintenance and cost of running Blair Field, but first had to revoke the Armada's permit, which was standing in the way of completing a deal and had usage and concessions rights. As a result, the Armada suspended operations following the 2009 season. The Armada fielded a team in the Arizona Summer League in June 2010. They played alongside the Bisbee Miners and San Diego Surf Dawgs . They replaced

1998-981: 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." x-Division Champion y-Wild Card (Division champions and top two wild card teams go to Championship.) Gold Glove winners: Pitcher: Adam Pettyjohn , Long Beach Catcher: Cody Clark , San Diego First base: Yuji Nerei , Samurai Bears Second base: Kenichi Miura , Samurai Bears Third base: Sean Walsh , Fullerton Shortstop: Jeremy Hernandez , Long Beach Outfielders Marcus Knight , Mesa; Billy Brown, Surprise; Travis McAndrews , Long Beach 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,

2052-532: The folding of the NAL, they were then sold on April 13, 2012, to Godfather Media, which also owned the Yuma Panthers (now the Yuma Desert Rats). However, when Godfather Media owner Michael Cummings resigned as C.E.O. of the league, the team's franchise ownership reverted to the previous owners, Western Sports & Entertainment Group, based out of the Los Angeles area. The Flyers were one of

2106-784: The fourth manager in team history in February 2010. Abbott played 11 seasons in the Major Leagues, beginning his career with the Minnesota Twins in 1990, making his MLB debut on August 21. In addition to his time with the Twins (1990-92), he also played in the Majors with the Indians (1993), Mariners (1998-2002), Royals (2003), Devil Rays (2004), and Phillies (2004). In 162 big league games, Abbott made 112 starts, going 43-37 with

2160-431: The league before it was to start. The team was original owned by the Golden Baseball League and its primary owners Diamond Sports & Entertainment. They were then sold to the Orange County Group, led by investor and actor James Denton , in 2007 and renamed the Orange County Flyers . They were then sold to Western Sports & Entertainment Group on November 23, 2011, and went back to the Fullerton Flyers . Following

2214-429: The league signed a letter of intent to place another expansion franchise in Tijuana , Mexico . After the addition of the expansion Tijuana Potros 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,

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2268-429: The major leagues for the Houston Astros (1995), Detroit Tigers (1995-97), Anaheim Angels (1998), San Diego Padres (1999-2005), Texas Rangers (2005-2006), Chicago Cubs (2006), and the Minnesota Twins (2006). Nevin left the Flyers after the 2009 season when he was offered a job to manage the Detroit Tigers Double-A affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens . Former Sunny Hills high school stand out Paul Abbott became

2322-487: The major leagues. The 2009 Arizona Winter League began play on January 31, 2009 and has expanded to 8 teams and almost 200 players. On April 3, 2009, the Golden Baseball League announced its second instructional league known as the Arizona Summer League , which is patterned after the AWL. This league consists of three teams, the Canada Miners , El Centro Imperials and San Luis Atleticos and began play in late June 2009. The ASL had 12 players signed to pro contracts during

2376-407: The original eight GBL charter teams that started in 2005 along with the Chico Outlaws , Long Beach Armada and San Diego Surf Dawgs in California; Mesa Miners , Surprise Fightin' Falcons and Yuma Scorpions in Arizona and the traveling Japan Samurai Bears (who played in the Arizona Division). The team officially unveiled its name and logo on January 27, 2005, at Fullerton Train Station. On

2430-416: The same day, they introduced their new general manager, Fullerton native Ed Hart. Hart ran the team for the first three seasons. The Flyers clinched their first playoff spot ever by winning the second-half division title in 2006. However, they ultimately lost the GBL championship to the Reno Silver Sox , 3 games to 1. First baseman Peanut Williams was named the 2006 GBL Most Valuable Player and hit

2484-444: The second manager in team history on December 5, 2007, during baseball's winter meetings. Carter, who attended Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, is an 11-time Major League All-Star who won 5 Silver Slugger and 3 Gold Glove awards during his Hall of Fame career. Carter played a majority of his years with the Montreal Expos and New York Mets . He had one year stints with the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers . Carter

2538-2320: The team with next best overall record receives championship bid.) All-League Team: Catcher: Marcus Jensen , Reno First base: Desi Wilson , 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 Goodman , San Diego Designated hitter: Peanut Williams , Fullerton Starting Pitchers: Chris Jakubauskas , 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 Jensen , Reno First base: Desi Wilson , 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 x-1st half champion, z-2nd half champion and best overall record All-League Team: Catcher: Buddy Morales , Orange County First base: Jaime Martinez , Long Beach Second base: David Bacani , 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 Bergman , Reno Relief Pitchers: Todd Gelatka , Chico; Dane De La Rosa , Long Beach; Anthony Pluta , St. George; Neil Hayes , Yuma x-1st half division champion, y-2nd half division champion 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 x-1st half division champion, y-2nd half division champion, z-wild card The GBL played their very first All-Star Game on July 18, 2006 at Chico's Nettleton Stadium pitting

2592-557: The team, if any, remains in doubt. Golden Baseball League The Golden Baseball League was an independent baseball league based in San Ramon, California , with teams located in the Western United States , Western Canada and northwest Mexico . The GBL was not affiliated with Major League Baseball or the organized Minor League Baseball system, but has featured players with MLB experience ( Rickey Henderson , Jose Canseco , Alex Arias , Bud Smith , Desi Wilson , José Lima , Hideki Irabu , Junior Spivey , Mark Prior ). It

2646-447: Was formed in 2004 and began play on May 26, 2005. The GBL's presenting partner was Safeway Inc. Other investors in the GBL included Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak , former National Football League players Mike Sherrard and Christian Okoye , and executives from Cisco Systems , Taleo and Draper Fisher Jurvetson . Over 100 players were sold to MLB organizations after it began play, with seven players already making it to

2700-780: Was founded in 2004 by Stanford University graduates Dave Kaval and Amit Patel. Kaval was the president and chief executive officer (Patel departed after the 2008 season to run his family business conglomerate in Laurel, Mississippi). Brian MacInnes was the president, and Bill Weiss was the league's secretary and historian. Many former MLB coaches and players coached or managed in the GBL, including Kip Gross , Les Lancaster , Mike Marshall , Ozzie Virgil, Jr. , Darrell Evans , Garry Templeton , Cory Snyder , Jeffrey Leonard , Gary Carter , Mike Busch , Steve Yeager , Phil Nevin , Charlie Hough , Mark Parent , Tim Johnson , Terry Kennedy , Paul Abbott , Brett Boone , Alex Arias , Rusty Meacham , and Warren Cromartie . The league began with

2754-402: Was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003 along with slugger Eddie Murray , who was his teammate with the Dodgers in 1991. Carter brought on board coaches Darrell Evans and Dan DiPace who had spent the previous three seasons in Long Beach. They won the first-ever GBL South Division Championship by defeating Long Beach 3 games to 2 and, for the second time in franchise history, advanced to

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2808-399: Was named manager of the GBL franchise in Fullerton, Calif., on December 6, 2004. As a player, Templeton was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1st round of the 1974 draft. He played sixteen seasons in the major leagues as a switch-hitting shortstop with the Cards, Padres, and Mets, reaching the World Series in 1984. He was a three time major league All Star during his career, garnered

2862-399: Was one of the original eight GBL charter teams that began play in 2005. They began play in May 2005, three years after their predecessors, the Long Beach Breakers , folded along with the Western Baseball League . Former Armada manager Steve Yeager managed the Breakers to the WBL Championship in 2001, that team's inaugural season, beating the Chico Heat 3 games to 2. On December 18, 2009,

2916-402: Was traded to the Armada after only one game. He said that the move was to be closer to his daughter. 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. Prior to the 2007 season,

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