Desert League

The Desert League of Professional Baseball is an independent baseball league that began in 2016.[1] Unlike other independent leagues, it features a winter schedule playing games from September through November.[2][3]

Desert League
Upcoming season or competition:
Current sports event 2023
SportBaseball
Founded2016
Inaugural season2016
No. of teams4
CountryUnited States
Most recent
champion(s)		Yuma Maple Leafs
(2016)
Official websiteDesertLeague.com

History

Formed with a focus for rookie or first year professional players, the Desert League signed over 100 players to their first professional contracts and completed its inaugural season in 2016.[4] The Desert League was designed as an independent professional league for rookies, and required each team carry a minimum of 12 rookies on their roster. The league had four teams based in California and Arizona. Somerton Cañeros were an affiliate of the Mexican Pacific League club Cañeros de Los Mochis.[5] Some games were played in San Luis, Mexico.

Yuma Maple Leafs were crowned the first league champion on October 28, 2016 sweeping the best-of three championship series with the Imperial County Ghost Riders. After winning Game 1 the previous night in walk-off fashion 4-3 the Maple Leafs took the second game 8-2.

Before the start of the second season the league announced that an agreement had been reached with the California Winter League and the league would suspend operations.[6] Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

On December 20, 2019, league president Luke Powell announced the Desert League would resume play in September of 2021. However operations were suspended again in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 2, 2021, the Desert League announced it would resume operations and play in Fall 2023.

Teams
Team City Stadium
Imperial County Ghost Riders Holtville, California & Calexico, California Ralph Samaha Park & Rodriguez Park
Somerton Cañeros Somerton, Arizona Joe Munoz Field
Yuma Hammers Yuma, Arizona Ray Kroc Sports Complex
Yuma Maple Leafs Yuma, Arizona Ray Kroc Sports Complex

Champions
Desert League Championship Series
Season Champions Runner up Result
2016 Yuma Maple Leafs Imperial County Ghost Riders 2-0 (best-of 3)

See also

References
  1. "Desert League news". Indy Ball Island. March 6, 2016.
  2. "Imperial Valley Desert fall baseball league to begin in September". Imperial Valley Press. August 9, 2015.
  3. "Desert pro league wants to make history". The GM's Perspective on Medium. July 20, 2016.
  4. "Akins Keeps Big League Dreams Alive, Signs With Desert League Team". University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Athletics. September 21, 2016.
  5. "Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report". OurSports Central. June 20, 2016.
  6. "The Desert League and CWL reach an agreement". Indy Ball Island. December 11, 2017.
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