Yuma to Issue RFP for Using Desert Sun Stadium

Professional baseball could be returning to Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma (AZ), as the city is drafting a request for proposal (RFP) that could be issued as early as this week.  According to Debbie Wendt, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, interest in the complex has been expressed by three different independent leagues.  Read more here.

Nogales Desert Ghosts and New League Take On Yuma?

The Nogales Desert Ghosts never got off the ground as a member of the proposed indy pro American West Baseball League and is or was facing allegations of interstate fraud and forgery, but it appears the franchise has been resurrected as the Yuma Desert Ghosts from the new Western Association of Professional Baseball.  FlynnAgain Productions designed the logos for the new Ghosts.  View Facebook page.  View Twitter page.

Nogales May Try to Give It a Try

Despite the reality that the start-up indy pro American West Baseball League has pulled the plug on its inaugural 2013 season, the Nogales (AZ) Desert Ghosts may move forward anyway, if playing nothing more than a limited exhibition schedule.  Read more here.

Cummings Resigns, AWBL’s Inaugural Season Postponed Until 2014

PRESS RELEASE – American West Baseball League is announcing today the resignation of CEO Michael Cummings and that the league will go dark for the 2013 season.

Bisbee Team Named, Logos Unveiled

PRESS RELEASE – Bisbee Professional Baseball team will play as the Bisbee Copperheads.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bisbee-Copperheads/ or @BisbeeCopperhea to see the logos and get more information about the team.

AWBL Locks In Las Cruces and Bisbee

The start-up indy pro American West Baseball League issued two press releases today announcing finalized deals with Las Cruces (NM) and Bisbee (AZ).  Read announcements here and here.

Embark Holdings New CEO Issues Letter to Shareholders, Sun Rays Prepare for Inaugural Season

To provide a little additional clarity on the past and current relationship between Embark Holdings, Inc. and the start-up indy pro American West Baseball League, we are posting below a recent letter to Embark shareholders from the company’s new CEO Daniel Amato.  Meanwhile, the newly launched  Las Cruces (NM) Sun Rays are confidently preparing

As the AWBL Turns…

There are no real surprises here, as we have been skeptically monitoring the developing indy pro American West Baseball League and those involved for a long time, but Rodney Johnson, president of the Arizona Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), has posted a story you will likely find very interesting, particularly as it relates to financials and quotes from those no longer involved.  Read more here.

AWBL Makes Pitch in Bisbee, Cummings Out at Embark Holdings

Sean Smock, commissioner of the developing indy pro American West Baseball League and former general manager of the former Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders (Pacific Coast League) and indy pro Tucson Toros (Golden Baseball League), pitched the idea last Thursday to make historic Warren Ballpark the home of the new Bisbee (AZ) Copper Kings.  Bisbee would join the Fullerton (CA) Flyers, the Las Cruces (NM)

AWBL’s Las Cruces Team Gets Name and Logo

PRESS RELEASE – Las Cruces Professional Baseball team will play as the Las Cruces Sun Rays.  Go to the team’s Facebook page to see the logo and get more information about the team.

North County Cannons Sever Ties AWBL, Will Not Play in 2013

PRESS RELEASE – The North County Cannons, a new minor league baseball team, will not be playing this summer.  Team owner and president, Jim Hoynes, confirmed that stadium use negotiations with Cal State San Marcos were concluded without success and every effort to locate an alternate playing location has turned up negative.

Team Name, Logo, and Manager Announced for Nogales Franchise

PRESS RELEASE – Embark Holdings, Inc., the parent company to American West Baseball League (a Professional Minor Baseball League), is pleased to announce the team name and the team manager. Nogales Professional Baseball team will play as the Nogales Desert Ghosts.  Go to nogalesdesertghosts.com to see the logo and get more information about the team.

AWBL Signs Agreement with Nogales (AZ), Ownership Group Announced

PRESS RELEASE – Embark Holdings, Inc subsidiary American West Baseball League today announced that they have signed an agreement with the City of Nogales and an Ownership Group has agreed to own and operate the team in Nogales, Arizona. The ownership group consists of MLB Players and business professionals. The new team will play at War Memorial Stadium and start this 2013 season.

Nogales Not Out Yet

Despite being given the cold shoulder during a Nogales (AZ) City Council meeting back on Feb. 6, the developing indy pro American West Baseball League was back at the table Thursday afternoon trying to convince local baseball powers to allow the circuit to bring a new team to War Memorial Stadium.  Progress was reportedly made.  Read more here.

AWBL Given Cold Shoulder in Nogales

The developing indy pro American West Baseball League has been talking with the city of Nogales (AZ) about bringing a team to War Memorial Stadium, but the idea drew enough protest during a Nogales City Council meeting last week that Mayor Arturo Garino pulled the agenda item from consideration.  Read more here.

AWBL Expands to Las Cruces

PRESS RELEASE – Embark Holdings, Inc. subsidiary American West Baseball League today announced that they have agreed to bring a Professional Baseball team to Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Yuma Desert Rats Withdraw from AWBL

PRESS RELEASE – Tim Ferguson, owner of the Yuma Desert Rats announced today that the team has elected to immediately remove themselves from the American West Baseball league. The Desert Rats were set to be part of the inaugural season of the AWBL a four-team independent minor league with teams in Fullerton, San Diego, Orange County, and Yuma.

New AWBL Cancels Winter League

The developing indy pro American West Baseaball League has reportedly cancelled its inaugural winter program in Yuma (AZ) because of a lack of interest and competition from other winter leagues.  These pay-to-play circuits are typically billed as “development” programs for players.  Read more here.

Desert Rats Unveil Logo

PRESS RELEASE – Along with the announcements of naming 1986 National League Manager of the Year Hal Lanier as their manager, the signing of local Yumans Jake Thrower, as hitting/infield instructor and LHP James Kuzniak, the Yuma Desert Rats proudly unveiled their new logo.

American West Baseball League Signs Letter of Intent for New Territory

PRESS RELEASE – Embark Holdings, the parent company to American West Baseball League announced the signing of a Letter of Intent between American West Baseball League and an individual, as it continues to grow through strategic territories, such as Northern California Territory.

Pair Invest in AWBL and Acquire Flyers, League Releases Financials

PRESS RELEASE – Embark Holdings, Inc. subsidiary American West Baseball League today announced that Edinson and Edgar Renteria have agreed to invest an undisclosed amount into the American West Baseball League for an ownership interest and also have acquired the territorial rights to Fullerton, Ca., the home of the Fullerton Flyers.

It’s the Yuma Desert Rats

As we reported back on Oct. 22, the new owner of the Yuma Panthers from the developing indy pro American West Baseball League planned to change the name of the club to the Desert Bats, Scorchers, Dust Storm(s), Sandstorm(s), or Desert Rats.  He has chosen the Desert Rats.  Next up for the team:  “The baddest logo in all of minor league baseball.”  Read more here.  Read about the name change here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

North County Cannons Unveil Logo

The expansion North County Cannons from the start-up indy pro American West Baseball League have unveiled their logo for the 2013 season.  Read more here about the new franchise.

Five Name-the-Team Finalists in Yuma

Baseball fans  in Yuma (AZ) have until Thursday, Oct. 25, to choose from a list of five finalists for the new name for the indy pro Yuma Panthers (American West Baseball League).  The choices include the Desert Bats, Scorchers, Dust Storm(s), Sandstorm(s), and Desert Rats.  A winner will be announced shortly thereafter.  View list here.  Read about the name change here.

Hoynes Pays AWBL Franchise Fee, Team Will Play at Cal State San Marcos

Retired Marine Major Jim Hoynes has reportedly paid the franchise fee to launch the indy pro North County Cannons as a new franchise in the developing American West Baseball League (AWBL).  The team will play at the baseball facility at Cal State University San Marcos in San Marcos (CA) beginning in 2013.  Read more here.

Psych! Name-the-Team Contest Announced for Yuma Panthers

Despite unveiling a new horribly-amateur logo for the indy pro Yuma Panthers (American West Baseball League) just last week to replace the previous horribly-amateur logo, the new owners of the franchise have announced a name-the-team contest.  Fans will have until Sunday, Oct. 14 to make

AWBL’s Yuma Panthers Sold, Logo Changed

PRESS RELEASE – The American West Baseball League today announced that it has sold the Yuma Panthers an Arizona-based independent minor league baseball team.

AWBL Unveils Website

The developing indy pro American West Baseball League owned  and operated by Michael Cummings and his Embark Holdings, Inc. (formerly Godfather Media, Inc.), has launched a new website.  While no ballpark lease agreements have been announced, teams listed on the site include the Fullerton (CA) Flyers, Long Beach (CA) Splash, Mesa (AZ), North County (assuming San Diego, CA area) Cannons, and Yuma (AZ) Panthers.  View website here.  Thanks to John for the link.

AWBL’s Version of Fullerton Flyers: GM Announced, Logo Unveiled

PRESS RELEASE – Embark Holdings, Inc., the parent company to American West Baseball League (a Professional Minor Baseball League), is pleased to announce the appointment of Danny DiPace to the position of President/GM and the new logo of the Fullerton Flyers.

AWBL Creator Godfather Media Now Embark Holdings (Seriously)

Godfather Media, Inc., which launched the new indy pro American West Baseball League, has changed its name to Embark Holdings, Inc.  Before Godfather, CEO Michael Cummings operated a similar holding company called Xcellence in Entertainment, Inc. (XnE), which no

Long Beach State AD: We’re Really Not Interested

In a piece this afternoon in the Long Beach Press-Telegram, columnist Bob Keisser hacks away at the previous independent ball clubs that made Blair Field their home and raises questions about Godfather Media, the proposed American West Baseball League, and announced Long Beach Splash.  When Keissler questioned Long Beach State University Athletic Director Vic Cegles about the

Name, Logo Released for AWBL Expansion Franchise in Long Beach

PRESS RELEASE – Godfather Media, Inc. has unveiled the name and logo for American West Baseball League’s (AWBL) Long Beach member that will start its summer league in 2013. The team name for Long Beach will be the Long Beach Splash.  (Go to the team’s Facebook page here.)

Godfather Media Announces Fifth AWBL Market

PRESS RELEASE – Godfather Media, Inc. is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement between its subsidiary American West Baseball League (AWBL) and Albie Lopez, former MLB player, and Eddie Marin, a local businessman and sports agent for the Mesa, Arizona Territory.

Godfather Media Makes AWBL Appointments

Godfather media has announced that attorney Michael L. Leyva, has been named General Counsel and Edward A. Wong has been named Controller for the developing indy pro American West Baseball League.  Both are former partners in the defunt indy pro St. George Roadrunners (Golden Baseball League) and Hot Corner Baseball, LLC.  Read Godfather press releases here and here.

Godfather Media/AWBL Adds San Diego

Godfather Media, Inc. has announced that the start-up American West Baseball League has awarded the San Diego (CA) territory to James Hoynes.  This brings the claimed founding members of the league to four, including Orange County Flyers, Yuma Panthers, Long Beach-South Bay, and San Diego.  Read more here.

Group Secures Rights for Long Beach Franchise in New League

The start-up American West Baseball League has announced that DC Sports & Entertainment, LLC led by Nicholas Desrosiers has secured the rights to a new franchise in Long Beach (CA).  We assume the target ballpark is Blair Field.  Read press release here.  As you recall, Desrosiers was involved with the failed effort to secure investors and bring a team to Atlantic City (NJ).

Godfather Media Unveils Logo for New League

PRESS RELEASE – Godfather Media, Inc. has unveiled the logo for American West Baseball League (AWBL) a professional minor baseball league that will start its summer league in 2013. Also, the league will have an instructional fall and winter league for players that want to showcase their talent to Professional Baseball Scouts, the fall league will start in October 2012 and the winter league will start between

New Flyers to Pay Old Flyers’ Debt, Return to Goodwin Field?

According to a Cal State Fullerton official, Godfather Media, Inc. has contacted the university about making arrangements to pay off the $75,000 debt owed by the indy pro Fullerton/Orange County Flyers (Golden Baseball League) for the use of Goodwin Field before the team went dark in 2010.  Godfather recently took control of the franchise and apparently wants to bring the Flyers back to Goodwin in

More on the American West Baseball League

The Orange County Register has posted a story about the new American West Baseball League.  It is pretty much a rehash of the Godfather Media, Inc.’s press release.  The league will: (1) charge teams an initial franchise fee and annual league fee, (2) provide sales and marketing training to team owners and staff, (3) share league advertising revenues with teams, and (4) charge players for participating in the fall and winter instructional leagues.  Read more here.

Godfather Media Hires Commissioner to Lead AWBL

Godfather Media, Inc. has announced that it has hired Sean P. Smock, former GM of the defunct indy pro Tucson Toros (Golden Baseball League) to serve as the first commissioner of the developing American West Baseball League.  View press release here.