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42-527: The league began its first season on May 16, 2006, with six teams: the Alexandria Aces , Amarillo Dillas , Edinburg Coyotes , Laredo Broncos , Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings and San Angelo Colts . The San Angelo franchise previously played in the now-defunct Central Baseball League , while the Amarillo Dillas previously played in the now-defunct Texas–Louisiana League . The United League

84-516: 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

126-588: 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

168-604: 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

210-719: A two-day event, the first day featuring various celebrations and recognitions, followed on the second day by the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game. Alexandria Aces The Alexandria Aces were a baseball team based in Alexandria, Louisiana . The last version of the Aces played in the United League Baseball in 2013. The Aces have played their home games at historic Bringhurst Field , which

252-716: 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,

294-736: 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

336-791: 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

378-547: The Texas Thunder , and the Alexandria Aces . Alexandria and Texas were shut down mid-season. Edinburg did not field a team for 2014 and they were replaced by the Brownsville Charros . The San Angelo Colts announced on July 2, 2014, that they had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Although it was stated at the time that operations would not be affected, the team announced on August 11, 2014, that

420-515: 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

462-600: 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

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504-494: 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

546-736: The Aces joined the Continental Baseball League when the ULB went bankrupt. The Aces are the 2009 CBL Champions, beating the Big Bend Cowboys 2–0. In 2010, the Aces ended their contract with the CBL, citing travel costs among other reasons before joining the college wooden bat league, the Texas Collegiate League. On March 12, 2011 the front office announced that there would be a change to the team's logo for

588-844: 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

630-542: 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

672-812: 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

714-678: 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

756-485: 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

798-545: 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,

840-610: 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,

882-401: The United League playoffs will consist of 4 teams competing in 2 rounds. In the first round the top two teams at the end of the first half of the season will host the two remaining teams with the best overall winning percentage throughout the season in a best-of-three series. The winners then advance to the championship which will be played at both parks, with the lower seed hosting game one and

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924-413: The championship best-of-five series. Format: for the 2009 season the United League playoffs consisted of 4 teams competing in 2 rounds, with the top 4 regular season teams making the playoffs. In the first round the regular season champion faced the 4th seed while seed 2 faced seed 3 in the best of 3 series. The winners then advanced to the championship best-of-five series. Format: for the 2008 season

966-534: 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

1008-981: 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,

1050-591: The final eight games of the 2014 regular season would not be played. Originally scheduled to end August 24, the league's 2014 regular season ended August 15, with the best-of-five championship series between the Cats and the WhiteWings starting August 16. The United League Baseball was looking into possibly expanding to Del Rio, Texas , and was scheduled to meet with city officials in October 2014. In November 2014, it

1092-436: The first time since the team returned in 1994. In 2013, the Aces joined United League Baseball and slightly past the halfway mark of the season, with a 24–20 record and in second place, the United League cancelled the remaining games for the Aces. Four scheduled road games were forfeited, giving the Aces an official record of 24-24. According to league CEO John Bryant, the league could not justify spending at least $ 100,000 for

1134-501: The higher seed hosting games two and three of the best-of-three series. Format: for the 2007 season the United League played in a split season format, crowning a first half champion and a second half champion. The champions then played for the ULB Championship. If one team was to win both halves, the team with the second-best overall season record would have qualified for the playoffs as a wild card. The championship series

1176-444: The league returned for the 2013 season the United League paired the top two regular season teams in a best of 5 ULB Championship series. Format: for the 2010 season the United League playoffs consisted of 4 teams competing in 2 rounds, with the top 4 regular season teams making the playoffs. In the first round the regular season champion faced the 4th seed while seed 2 faced seed 3 in the best of 3 series. The winners then advanced to

1218-653: 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,

1260-504: The league. Its format in 2008 featured the United League all-stars versus the Golden League all-stars. In 2006 the first All-Star Game pitted the best team against the all-stars from the rest of the United League. In 2007 the second All-Star Game pitted Team North (All-Stars from Alexandria, Amarillo and San Angelo) against Team Rio Grande (All-Stars from Edinburg, Laredo and Rio Grande Valley). The ULB's all-star festivities were

1302-670: 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

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1344-731: The remainder of the season because of low attendance, averaging 333 fans a game. 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

1386-508: The team during this period. The new Aces were a charter member of the independent Texas–Louisiana League in 1994, and the Aces won back-to-back titles in 1997 and 1998 before the league changed its name to the Central Baseball League . In the first season of the new United League in 2006, the Aces won the inaugural ULB championship before pulling off another repeat as they would win the title once again in 2007. In 2009

1428-2320: 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

1470-1212: Was announced that the City of Ft. Worth had not renewed the lease at LaGrave Field for the Ft. Worth Cats, thus leaving them without a home for the 2015 season. Through the mismanagement of the league by Bryant and Pierce and having one remaining stadium lease in Harlingen the league was formally disbanded in January 2015. ^ Clinched Playoff Spot * Clinched 1st Half Title ** Clinched 2nd Half Title *** Clinched Regular Season Title * Clinched 1st Playoff Seed ** Clinched 2nd Playoff Seed *** Clinched 3rd Playoff Seed **** Clinched 4th Playoff Seed ^ Clinched Regular Season Championship * Clinched 1st Playoff Seed ** Clinched 2nd Playoff Seed *** Clinched 3rd Playoff Seed **** Clinched 4th Playoff Seed ^ Clinched Regular Season Championship * Clinched 1st Playoff Seed ** Clinched 2nd Playoff Seed *** Clinched 3rd Playoff Seed **** Clinched 4th Playoff Seed ^ Clinched Regular Season Championship Format: When

1512-457: Was built in 1933 for the original Alexandria Aces. That team started in 1934 as a member of the old Evangeline League and ceased operations with the league in 1942 due to World War II. This early era was highlighted by the presence of Hal Newhouser and Virgil Trucks, future Detroit Tigers' stars who headed the pitching staff of the 1939 Aces. The Aces (and the league) were revived after the war but once again ceased operations in 1957. Alexandria

1554-447: 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

1596-833: 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

1638-633: Was originally owned by an investor group United Sports Equity LLC followed by former Congressman John Bryant . In 2013, following the dissolution of the North American League, United League Baseball was reincorporated. The league played an 80-game season from late May to the middle of August, and featured the Edinburg Roadrunners , the Fort Worth Cats , the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings , the San Angelo Colts ,

1680-493: Was the best 4 out of 7 games, to be played home and away in a 2–3–2 site format, with home field advantage awarded to the first half champion. Format: for the 2006 season the top four teams in the regular season standings made the playoffs, including the regular season champion and 3 wild card teams. The playoffs then commenced with two rounds of games to determine the United League champion: United League Baseball hosted an annual All-Star Game which rotated host cities throughout

1722-722: Was the only city to field a team every year the Evangeline League operated. The Aces appeared regularly in the league's Shaughnessy playoffs and took the Evangeline pennant twice — in 1936 and 1940. Baseball returned to Alexandria again from 1972, with the Aces as the San Diego Padres ' AA farm club, and while it only lasted four years, many major league notables passed through Alexandria – in particular All-Star pitcher Randy Jones and longtime Cleveland Indians first baseman John Grubb. Duke Snider also managed

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1764-571: 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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