New Martinez Mackerel Pushed to Change Name, San Rafael Pacifics Depart

The Martinez Mackerel will begin play in 2020 and be operated by the Pecos League (Independent Professional).  However, the city council apparently didn’t like the name because of a definition of “Mackerel” in the Urban Dictionary.  So, the Pecos League is in the process of choosing a new one.  Read more here.  The previous Martinez Clippers played in the Pacific Association (Independent Professional), which has shown some instability, including the departure of the San Rafael Pacifics, arguably the league’s most successful franchise.  Read more here.

No Martinez Clippers Team in 2019

It’s official – there will be no professional baseball in Martinez (CA) in 2019, as efforts to find a new owner for the Martinez Clippers (Independent Professional, Pacific Association) were unsuccessful, city officials said last week.  Read more here.

Pacific Association Gets New Commissioner

PRESS RELEASE – The Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs has formally named Theo Fightmaster the league’s next commissioner. Fightmaster, who began his Pacific Association career as a front office executive with the San Rafael Pacifics in 2011, also served as the general manager of the Sonoma Stompers from 2014 through the 2017 season.

‘Save America’s Pastime Act’ a Serious Blow to Indy Leagues?

President Donald Trump signed a spending bill into law Friday that includes the “Save America’s Pastime Act,” which allows professional baseball team operators to treat players like seasonal employees and not subject to overtime rules if they pay minimum wage.   The latter could be a problem for the independent ranks, as stated below by Mike Shaprio, president and general manager of the San Rafael Pacifics (Independent Professional, Pacific Association):

“Like all indy leagues, it is a serious blow.  We have long considered ourselves to be an apprenticeship for these players, to help them rise in the ranks, and therefore not subject to minimum wage.”

Read more here.

Pacific Association Adds Napa Silverados, Martinez Clippers to 2018 Lineup

The Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs has announced its 2018 schedule.  The league expanded to include the Napa Silverados and Martinez Clippers in the offseason, increasing the league season from 78 games to 80.  Read more here.  Read more background on the Clippers here and here.

Pacific Association Adds ‘Napa Silverados’

Franchise owner Bruce Johnston announced yesterday that the Napa Silverados will officially be joining the Pacific Association (Independent Professional).  The Silverados will host games at Storm Field on the Napa Valley College campus.  Read more here.

Pacifics Announce Front Office Changes

PRESS RELEASE – Today the San Rafael Pacifics announced front office staff changes for the 2017 season following the promotion of Assistant General Manager, Vinnie Longo, to the position of Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Visalia Rawhide (Class A California League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks).

Stompers Extend Ballpark Naming Rights Deal with Sponsor

The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club has extended its partnership with Peoples Home Equity Mortgage Lending, through the 2018 season.  As Presenting Partner of Stompers Baseball, the club’s home will continue to be known as Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field.  Read more here.  Read press release here.

Stompers Pitcher, Catcher Make History as First All-Female Battery

Anna Kimbrell and Kelsie Whitmore of the Sonoma Stompers (Independent Professional, Pacific Association) made history Friday night as the first-ever all-female battery in the history of men’s professional baseball.  Read more here.

Pacifics to Debut Auto Umpire

The San Rafael Pacifics (Indy Pro, Pacific Association) will host a two-day special event on July 28th and 29th in which, for the first time in the history of professional baseball, the strikes and balls will be called by a computerized pitch tracking system.  Read more here.

Pacifics Make Staff Changes

PRESS RELEASE – Pacifics President and General Manager, Mike Shapiro, today announced that Assistant General Manager, Josh Jackson, has accepted a position with the Baylor University athletic department in his native Texas and that staffers Steve Detwiler and Tristan Barbieri would share his role with the Pacifics.

Admirals Get New Owner, Two Hawaii Teams Go Dark

The indy pro Vallejo Admirals (Pacific Association) announced last week that Robert J. Young and NorCalSports LLC have purchased the team from the Tito Fuentes Baseball Academy.  Last season, Young owned both the Hawaii Stars and Na Koa Ikaika Maui, the 2013 champions of the Pacific Association.  Those teams are dark for the 2014 season.  Read more here.

Pittsburg (CA) Team on Deck Monday Night

The Pittsburg (CA) City Council will consider a resolution on Monday, April 7, to approve a lease agreement with Backwards K Group LLC and allocate funds for improvements to a field at City Park to serve as the home for the proposed indy pro “Pittsburg Mettle” (Pacific Association).  Read more and view ballpark photos here.  View resolution here.  View Pittsburg Mettle job announcement here.

Second-Year Admirals Tussle with Local Babe Ruth Over Use of Wilson Park

The second-year indy pro Vallejo Admirals (Pacific Association) announced recently that they plan to return this season, but the club has still not renewed their lease to use Wilson Park.  Local Babe Ruth is not too hip on sharing the facility again, but the parties are reportedly talking.  Read more here.

Stompers to Hold Public Meeting Saturday

The After making a pitch to the Sonoma (CA) City Council Wednesday night to bring indy pro baseball to Arnold Park starting in 2014, the owners of the proposed Sonoma Stompers (Pacific Association) will hold another community outreach meeting on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Sonoma Community Center.  Read more here.

Pacifics’ Championship Week Includes ‘Spaceman’ Lee, a Funeral and The Soup Nazi

PRESS RELEASE – The final week of the 2013 San Rafael Pacifics is set for August 20-25 at Albert Park. Championship Week is filled with all sorts of great events and you’ll want to grab your tickets fast, as these events are expected to sell out. Tickets are available here.

East Bay Lumberjacks Acquired by New Owners, Become Bay Cal Lumberjacks

PRESS RELEASE – The East Bay Lumberjacks franchise has been reorganized and acquired by Candice Macari, Cristin Franklin, Thomas Macari, and Wayne Franklin as the Bay Cal Lumberjacks.

Fledgling Admirals Back in Business

The indy pro Vallejo Admirals (Pacific Association) announced two weeks ago on July 16 that a new ownership group, headed by Tito Fuentes Baseball Academy and local businessman Buck Kamphausen, took control of the troubled first-year baseball franchise.  Read more here.  The team has been racking up a few wins since then.  Read more here.

Vallejo Admirals Suspended

In what has turned into a bit of a mess, the startup indy pro Pacific Association has suspended the first-year Vallejo Admirals effective Monday citing the Admirals’ fiscal woes and granted the team’s players free agency.  One investor is seeking a probe of the team’s finances.  Read more here.  As you recall, the league issued a press release on July 5 announcing the East Bay Lumberjacks had been

Admirals Cancel Hawaii Trip, Pacific Assocation Adds Lumberjacks

PRESS RELEASE – The Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs is pleased to announce today the admission of the East Bay Lumberjacks as a full league member.

Vallejo Admirals Make Debut

The indy pro Vallejo Admirals  (Pacific Association) kicked off their inaugural season at Wilson Park Saturday in front of a crowd of about 750.  Read more here.

Pacific Association Targets Santa Maria

Representatives from the indy pro Pacific Association have made a pitch to bring a baseball franchise to Elks Field in Santa Maria (CA).  The Recreation and Parks Commission will hold a public hearing on the matter on Tuesday, June 11 at 4 p.m. at City Hall.  Read more and watch news report here.  View Google street view of Elks Field here.

Lease Approved for New Vallejo Team

The Greater Vallejo (CA) Recreation District (GVRD) board voted 5-0 Tuesday night to allow the indy pro Vallejo Admirals (Pacific Association) to play at Wilson Park, beginning this season.  The team will give the ballpark a facelift and pay $5,000 to use it.  The GVRD will pick up the tab for utilities and garbage removal.  Read more here. View Wilson Park images here and here.

New Pacific Association Adds Vallejo, Logo Revealed

The burgeoning Pacific Association, formerly known as the North Division of the defunct indy pro North American League, has added the Vallejo Admirals to replace the traveling Sonoma County Grapes.  The team will be owned by Redwood Sports and Entertainment, which also owns the Grapes and San Rafael Pacifics.  The Admirals will play