American West Baseball League

[Evad]

I love minor league sports. When I found out this league was planning a team for San Diego, I thought I'd check it out. We shall see what happens. I know this league has been mentioned in the NAL thread, but I thought why not give it its own place.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1225728-american-west-baseball-league-to-rival-nal

"Independent baseball is a funny thing. When you go to a game, you are going to get legitimately good baseball. The prices are second to none, and you might get to see some former major leaguers in the process.

Except indy baseball is cursed or doomed—I’m not quite sure which.

The American Association, Atlantic League, Frontier League and Can-Am League are the big four. The North American League on the other hand, could only try to play with the big boys.

And now entering its second season, it won't be able to anymore.

When was the last time an organization’s champion was not able to defend their championship? Not because they lost, but because they’re not even part of the league anymore?"

[Lunkhead]

MISSION VIEJO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 06/26/12 -- Godfather Media, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: GFMD) 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.

[Lunkhead]

:phttp://www.ballparkdigest.com/201206265104/independent-baseball/news/awbl-expands-to-mesa-albie-lopez-will-own-team

[Colonel]

I do hope that they do better than the Miners did in 05 (as far as attendance)-- or better than the new Freedom Pro League is doing... in 4 cities in Arizona. If you are going to go anyplace, tho, why not Phoenix? The stadium that the Oakland A's use will be empty-- the As are moving to Mesa - and Phoenix Muni has had teams since the Phoenix Giants (and is close to home),,,,,

Just saying

Colonel
Phoenix

[pilots13]

This league is going to have problems. To start with the West has been a tough place to make Indy baseball work. For whatever reason, leagues fail out there. The Western League, the Golden League, the United League, maybe others I'm forgetting off the top of my head all failed. And now we have the North American (which is really two leagues the "North" and "United" leagues), the Pecos League, and the Freedom League. All of which most likely won't be around next year.

If that wasn't a bad enough sign, then it's the fact that Cummings is running the show. He has destroied everything Indy thing he's touched thus far, including a major reason the NAL is the disaster it is. I have little faith for this league to make it. To be honest, I have more faith in the San Rafael owner guy somehow piecing together the remnants of the NAL than Cummings scam of a league.

[Eddie]

This league is going to have problems. To start with the West has been a tough place to make Indy baseball work. For whatever reason, leagues fail out there. The Western League, the Golden League, the United League, maybe others I'm forgetting off the top of my head all failed. And now we have the North American (which is really two leagues the "North" and "United" leagues), the Pecos League, and the Freedom League. All of which most likely won't be around next year.

If that wasn't a bad enough sign, then it's the fact that Cummings is running the show. He has destroied everything Indy thing he's touched thus far, including a major reason the NAL is the disaster it is. I have little faith for this league to make it. To be honest, I have more faith in the San Rafael owner guy somehow piecing together the remnants of the NAL than Cummings scam of a league.
Faith in the San Rafael guy? I would have never went in with 800 seats in a ballpark and the Hawaii teams don't even post attendance so they must be averaging nothing.

Golden League was flawed from the start. United League was never in the west.

Western League was the best of them all but they didn't seem to try to move upward, seemed like they lost ballparks left and right, etc. I would have to assume the owners were undercapitalized.

North American League was combining failing leagues into one so that was bound to have issues.

Pecos League and Freedom League? Sorry but those cannot be considered. I believe the Pecos League is the one where players get $50 a month. Freedom League doesn't even give you info on teams, locations, tickets, etc. Only one team had ticket info on the site. These were not done right from the beginning. And that Andrew Dunn guy...no comment.

It could be done if it was done right. Even this AWBL is running into issues with the ballparks they want to use and what they will be able to actually use. The old debts don't just go away and no matter what they say they're the NAL. Cummings ran Hawaii into the ground. And while 1 failure doesn't mean you will always fail, he should not be the guy leading the charge.

[Pounder]

What's "done right"?

I can guess it, and I can diagnose issues based on it-

-the main one... not a lot of intermediate markets in the West, so the majors will dominate the news cycle, the ad rates are higher because of the size of the markets, those few that have good media and are smaller are otherwise occupied or may not buy into what you're selling-

but perhaps I need a reset.

There's a theory I've come back to of late... I'm reading about fan demand for better promotions for the Washington Wild Things back east. People there want to see more promotions? I think the attitude out here begs for more "authenticity," and if you're bringing up the minors or independent pro to be about "everything but the baseball," people here see through that. The economy doesn't help, California prices its way out of many things because people still want to be there when the jobs aren't necessarily there. However, I do run into that authenticity issue more than randomly in this region. The problem: California is still a trend-setter. Just food for thought.

[Lunkhead]

This league is going to have problems. To start with the West has been a tough place to make Indy baseball work. For whatever reason, leagues fail out there. The Western League, the Golden League, the United League, maybe others I'm forgetting off the top of my head all failed. And now we have the North American (which is really two leagues the "North" and "United" leagues), the Pecos League, and the Freedom League. All of which most likely won't be around next year.

If that wasn't a bad enough sign, then it's the fact that Cummings is running the show. He has destroied everything Indy thing he's touched thus far, including a major reason the NAL is the disaster it is. I have little faith for this league to make it. To be honest, I have more faith in the San Rafael owner guy somehow piecing together the remnants of the NAL than Cummings scam of a league.

This is intertesting that you would post this non-sense Indy ball has nothing to do with the failures on the west, it is how are the leagues ran. 1st off the Kaval/Outcalt team was out to get as much money from franchises as they could that was their business model, the freedom, pecos and united league own and operate all teams which is a very expensive this model does not work just look at what history tells us. Then you say Cummings destroys everything he touches in Indy ball from my research he has only touched Maui and from my understanding when he sold the team the new group was to take over bills which happens all the time when selling a business (not unusual) and then you blame him for the NAL, which is the funniest and most ridiculous post I have seen, we all no they have been hurting for the past few years, Edmonton went dark leaving 3 operating teams and 1 travel team which is not a league no matter how you describe it. Then the AWL leaves Yuma with 100's of thosand dollars owed to vendors and employees, after all that they call it quits and cummings along with the others try to keep the league going and then he makes the best business decision out of all of them and goes dark, to recoup. Yes it is his fault and you should have faith in the San Rafael guy who operates a travel team and a team with 800 seats, which plays against an owner that says he is leaving to play agaisnt Japan next year.

[Lunkhead]

Faith in the San Rafael guy? I would have never went in with 800 seats in a ballpark and the Hawaii teams don't even post attendance so they must be averaging nothing.

Golden League was flawed from the start. United League was never in the west.

Western League was the best of them all but they didn't seem to try to move upward, seemed like they lost ballparks left and right, etc. I would have to assume the owners were undercapitalized.

North American League was combining failing leagues into one so that was bound to have issues.

Pecos League and Freedom League? Sorry but those cannot be considered. I believe the Pecos League is the one where players get $50 a month. Freedom League doesn't even give you info on teams, locations, tickets, etc. Only one team had ticket info on the site. These were not done right from the beginning. And that Andrew Dunn guy...no comment.

It could be done if it was done right. Even this AWBL is running into issues with the ballparks they want to use and what they will be able to actually use. The old debts don't just go away and no matter what they say they're the NAL. Cummings ran Hawaii into the ground. And while 1 failure doesn't mean you will always fail, he should not be the guy leading the charge.

What issues are they running into on Stadiums and is there proof or just your opinion? And they are not the NAL I thought that was the San Rafael, Maui, their travel teams and the United the last time I checked the website. Also, in business new corporations do not assume anothers debt, remember minor laegue ball is a business not a charity. And again, did you sit in on the meeting with cummings and young on the deal for Maui? If not I think posting assumptions should be left within your own mind.

[Evad]

More info about the AWBL. Long Beach team name and logo.

http://www.gazettes.com/sports/baseball-new-pro-team-to-try-long-beach/article_6382a188-cbf0-11e1-9f6e-0019bb2963f4.html
http://ballparkbiz.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/long-beach-splash-logo.jpg


"We have a name and logo for the team launching next season in the independent American West Baseball League: the Long Beach Splash."

[Eddie]

What issues are they running into on Stadiums and is there proof or just your opinion? And they are not the NAL I thought that was the San Rafael, Maui, their travel teams and the United the last time I checked the website. Also, in business new corporations do not assume anothers debt, remember minor laegue ball is a business not a charity. And again, did you sit in on the meeting with cummings and young on the deal for Maui? If not I think posting assumptions should be left within your own mind.

Did you miss where they are assuming debts of Orange County so they can use the ballpark?

Maybe you should take your own advice

[Lunkhead]

Faith in the San Rafael guy? I would have never went in with 800 seats in a ballpark and the Hawaii teams don't even post attendance so they must be averaging nothing.

Golden League was flawed from the start. United League was never in the west.

Western League was the best of them all but they didn't seem to try to move upward, seemed like they lost ballparks left and right, etc. I would have to assume the owners were undercapitalized.

North American League was combining failing leagues into one so that was bound to have issues.

Pecos League and Freedom League? Sorry but those cannot be considered. I believe the Pecos League is the one where players get $50 a month. Freedom League doesn't even give you info on teams, locations, tickets, etc. Only one team had ticket info on the site. These were not done right from the beginning. And that Andrew Dunn guy...no comment.

It could be done if it was done right. Even this AWBL is running into issues with the ballparks they want to use and what they will be able to actually use. The old debts don't just go away and no matter what they say they're the NAL.[/COLOR] Cummings ran Hawaii into the ground. And while 1 failure doesn't mean you will always fail, he should not be the guy leading the charge.

So sorry the way you wrote the post is the debt from the NAL is now the AWBL. However, the AWBL did not take on the debt the Parent Company did and from my understanding it is being paid down.

[Evad]

Looks like there might be some "Doubting Mufasa's" in Long Beach about the Splash and Godfather Media...

http://www.presstelegram.com/sports/ci_21224959/keisser-godfather-media-has-deal-you-can-refuse

"The swallows return to Capistrano, sandpipers migrate from California to the Southern Hemisphere, terns fly from the Arctic Circle to Antarctica, and a species of albatross from the Falkland Islands to Norway.

Another species of the albatross - the very minor independent baseball league team - has announced plans to once again flock to Long Beach."

[smallballfan]

Has the AWBL established any sort of Web presence? I'm all for giving people the benefit of the doubt - many people have failed at other businesses before getting the right mix together. Would like to find out who these guys are and what they're doing.

[Lunkhead]

I was told by the end of August there would be a league site and teams sites to follow.:cool:

[Lunkhead]

Fullerton Flyers appoint new President/GM Dan DiPace, this is starting to move along.:cool:

[Lunkhead]

New logo for Fullerton Flyers, can't wait for next season to see ball in So Cal again.:-D

[Evad]

For those of you that need to see a visual

http://behance.vo.llnwd.net/profiles7/1067219/projects/4958389/6f6d1123423d3efdd273b209cdcd9148.jpg

[Evad]

Can anybody provide a list of teams that are definite for the AWBL. By definite I mean they have a ownership group along with a ballpark secured for whenever this league is supposed to get off the ground.

Greatly appreciated.

Web site up and running. With a list of teams on the right hand side. No links to team sites yet but the site looks clean to me. I like it.

http://www.americanwestbl.com/#

[elpaso]

The Liga Norte de Mexico (Summer) has a team that uses the same stadium, Aguiluchos de Mexicali

[Evad]

http://ballparkdigest.com/201210025651/independent-baseball/news/yuma-panthers-sold-rebranded

[Evad]

From the Yuma Panthers Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/YumaProBaseball?ref=stream

BREAKING NEWS...you're hearing it here first!!!
Ownership has heard the voice of Yuma!

Tomorrow's Yuma Sun will officially announce our "Yuma Name Your Team" promotion. Facebook fans of our ballclub can begin voting RIGHT NOW!

[Evad]

AWBL announces tryout for the 2013 season.

http://www.americanwestbl.com/american-west-baseball-league-announces-their-1st-league-wide-try-outs/

[Evad]

Retired Marine bringing minor-league baseball to North County

UT San Diego Article
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/oct/13/retired-marine-bringing-minor-league-baseball-nort/

BallparkDigest.com Article
http://www.ballparkdigest.com/201210145719/independent-baseball/news/new-for-2013-north-county-cannons

[Evad]

Yuma has provided a final list in the name the team contest. You don't have to be from Yuma to vote.

http://www.facebook.com/YumaProBaseball?ref=ts&fref=ts

[Evad]

The Desert Rats

http://ballparkdigest.com/201211065801/independent-baseball/features/new-for-2013-yuma-desert-rats

[Lunkhead]

http://www.americanwestbl.com/american-west-baseball-league-is-pleased-to-announce-their-1st-winter-league/

[Lunkhead]

They just announced new investme:cool:nt http://www.americanwestbl.com/awbl-and-former-major-league-players-partner-together-with-league-wide-investment-and-acquisition-of-the-fullerton-territory-rights/

[Lunkhead]

What does it matter if the Renterias are back in Minor League Baseball, my understanding is that the GBL was the problem not them. And I do believe that the GBL screwed that situation up as they did everything. So, lets see what happens and I do believe the AWBL is a better organization from what I hear.:-D

[Lunkhead]

AWBL just announced their 1st player contracts. See the link
http://www.americanwestbl.com/american-west-baseball-league-announces-the-1st-list-of-pro-contracts-offered/

[JosephDHippolito]

Are they going to be another "travel team"? What happened to Mesa and Long Beach? Why should anyone in Fullerton bother to watch young Colombian players who can't speak English and will have trouble adjusting to the culture -- especially since the vast majority of Latinos in Orange County are Mexican or Central American? :mad:

[independentbaseball]

The League announced a signed letter of intent with a party for a Northern California team, with a possible new stadium, in 2014. No word on if it is going to have any ties with the NAL (possibly to be renamed Pacific Baseball Association).

http://www.independentbaseball.net/independent-baseball-leagues/american-west-baseball-league-announces-loi-northern-california/

[Lunkhead]

Yuma Desert Rats of the AWBL announce their new Logo
http://www.americanwestbl.com/yuma-desert-rats-releases-new-logo/:)

[Browns44]

It's a modification of an old theme:

"Rat on the Bat"

[Evad]

AWBL Winter league season canceled.

http://www.examiner.com/article/american-west-league-cancels-winter-program-yuma

[Evad]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Part 1/1 January 24, 2013

Yuma Desert Rats Withdraw from American West Baseball League

YUMA, ARIZONA - 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

http://www.facebook.com/YumaDesertRats

[Pounder]

Has anyone ever followed up regarding the existence of a lease in Long Beach?

[Lunkhead]

I found this on todays Yuma Sun and I think it was headed down the sane road has the Scorpions did. No support or financial strength. Probably a blessing for the league since nobody has ever made money in Yuma.

http://www.yumasun.com/sports/yuma-84800-baseball-cummings.html:cool:

[Pounder]

In the Yuma article:

When he went in and bought the Yuma franchise, acquired the rights to the Yuma franchise, he also purchased the corporation from us,” Cummings said. “The lease is under that corporation's name, and he did not fulfill his obligations as far as acquiring that corporation. So one, he has to return that corporation so he can't do that; two, he has an operating right agreement that states he cannot play professional or collegiate baseball without paying us a substantial amount of money; and the third thing is the lease is in the corporation's name, and we have plans to possibly put someone else there in that location. So he'll end up in legal battles with me.

I know dumb commissioners who don't make things as personal as this looks. Generally, there's better ways to say this without scorching possible markets or possible owners. It's not the biggest crime, it's just a bit south of professional.

I'd say that this would cause concern among other owners... but do we know if there are any?

[Evad]

AWBL website

http://www.americanwestbl.com/awbl-has-completed-an-agreement-to-play-the-2013-season-in-the-city-of-las-cruces-and-the-community-will-name-their-team/

Las Cruces Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Las-Cruces-Professional-Baseball/394717040624663

Las Cruces Vaqueros website with notice that the Pecos League not playing in Las Cruces in 2013

http://www.lascrucesvaqueros.com/vaqueros.asp?page=49

You have to wonder if the AWBL talked with this team to find out why they would not be playing in 2013. Las Cruces will be a hard sell with El Paso right down the road.

[Lunkhead]

I called the league and the Las Cruces paper, both parties said the downfall was not because of a lack of support but from the way the team was ran. They stated that in the beginning there were sponsorships and ticket sales but the owner did not deliver what he promised. So, I think we need to watch and see what the true facts are here and that will be told when the season is over.:lol:

[pilots13]

I can't help but think that the DesertRats pulling out is the sign of a competent owner in Yuma. Yuma owner guy must have seen how bad Cummings runs things and bailed before he lost a ton of money on the deal. I saw something posted by Cummings which basically said the AWBL still controls the Yuma market and that if they wanted to put a different team from the DesertRats there this year they could and that if DesertRat owner guy wants to play ball he'll have to go somewhere else. In reality DesertRat owner guy only has to wait 2 months for the AWBL to fold and then he can put whatever team he wants in whatever league he wants.

It's sad when the PA, PL, and FPBL all appear to be more stable leagues than the AWBL.

[Lunkhead]

Maybe you should look at the facts. 1st Tim Ferguson coached in the frontier league last year and left early. 2nd lived in Florida 3rd moves family from florida to Yuma 4. Buys a team in a new league on a coaches salary in the indy league 5. changes team name, logo, hires a manager, signs a couple of players. 6. No website, no mention of sponsorships or any front office staff mention and 7. after this he states the league is not stable but does not mention why he came to that conclusion. My conclusion is he is running from something in florida and thought Yuma was far away and then he has no money to operate or the city of yuma did not support him. So, blaming the league is his way to safe face but that is really not the case for intelligent people who have been watching Indy ball for awhile. This guy Ferguson is probably a scam artist and somebody found him and now he needs to hide again.:cool:

[indyproball]

There are four teams listed on the league website - Yuma, Fullerton, Long Beach and North County. To my knowledge, none of the teams have stadium leases. OK, Yuma has a lease but then has cancelled last year and the winter league, so is that still valid? There are no team offices or direct telephone numbers ringing in any team sales locations. I say to my knowledge, so if anyone knows anything different, please post and let us know!

There is no schedule.

The Winter League in Yuma was cancelled.

Yuma has been burned numerous times in the past.

Quite frankly, it would take a miracle for anyone to go into Yuma and raise the $300-$400,000 needed to operate a low-level professional team.

A good league is needed in the SW area. And the AWBL has the plan.

I'm not saying the AWBL isn't going to happen but we need some new news from the league!

Opening day is just 3+ months away!

[Evad]

http://www.examiner.com/article/american-west-baseball-league-s-problems-extend-beyond-yuma

[Lunkhead]

Sounds like a lot of speculation or the girls are gossiping, he does not list his sources so, it is very hard to believe. I think people should wait to see what happens.:cool:

[Evad]

http://www.nogalesinternational.com/sports/about-face-pro-baseball-in-nogales-now-a-good-possibility/article_51217d1a-7709-11e2-b97a-0019bb2963f4.html

Despite a heated Nogales City Council meeting that took place Feb. 6, professional baseball just might be one step closer to taking a foothold in Nogales.
All this just might have been made possible after a meeting of most of Nogales’ baseball minds and authority that took place today from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Nogales City Hall conference room.

[indyproball]

If we say June 1 is a good target for Opening Day, there are approx. 100 days until the first pitch.
The number of teams that will open the season is 6?
With team annual budgets of $500,000 each, from a league standpoint that is $3M needed to operate for 2013.
If we assume there is operating capital already established, as in any good business venture, I suppose we do not need to collect all $3M before the first pitch. But we better be safe and make $2M our target. Including Saturday and Sunday each week, $20,000 each day from now until the first pitch, needs to be collected from a league perspective.

My target 2013 lineup is:

FULLERTON
LAS CRUCES
LONG BEACH
NOGALES
NORTH COUNTY

Where is the 6th team?

[pilots13]

I doubt this team will ever take the field this year, and if they have any business sense at all, they won't. The Examiner article may be speculative, but it does note the fact that this league is really nothing more than talk. No stadiums, no players, no staff. Hell, every article I see lists a different lineup of teams. We're t-minus 3 months from opening day and I don't think we can safely confirm ANY team will 100% play this year. How do you sell tickets? Create a fan base? Find sponsors?

The smartest think would be for the AWBL to take this year off, solidify their teams and leases, and come out as an organized, solid league in 2014. But this is Cummings we're talking about....

[Lunkhead]

Maybe they have all of the above and just have not announced it yet. It is so funny how so many people talk about this league and the founders and just ignore other leagues on the west coast. I believe alot of those posting here is the competion from the freedom, Pacific and Pecos league. And if you take a real hrd look at those leagues you will see no coaches, front office or players and the Pacific League is playing games with Freedom and Semi=Pro teams and that is the biggest joke around. I figure Pilot is the owner from Maui since he flys planes and had a falling out with Cummings. Look at the Hilo team they play on a little league stadium with seating for no more then 300, the Freedom league has 4 teams and 2 fields. They are also doing a winter league with 9 players and will say they had a successful winter league just like they said last summer. So, if you want to speculate about leagues do it with all of them and I bet the examiner.com has no insight to the AWBL except a pissed off franchise that can't pay his debts. So if this is Bob Young pay attention to your own crap and maybe you can get through yhis year.:cool:

[pilots13]

First, disclaimer about myself. I have NO stake for or against any of the teams out west. Hell, I've never been further west than the SD/WY border. I'm from St Paul, MN and have been a big Saints fan from day 1 back in 1993. I could give two hoots what happens in Yuma, or Maui, or OC or anywhere that's not the AA or whatever league the Saints are playing in. All my comments come as an observer of Indy baseball the past 20 years.

I guarantee if the AWBL had leases and staffs and such we would know. First of, why would you intentionally not tell people you have a lease and schedule and sell tickets? Second, if they had staff, office or coaching, someone, somewhere would be able to confirm Aunt Judy got a job answering phones for the OC Flyers. And I don't come here to defend the PA, FPBL, UBL, Pecos, or any other league out west. They are all a train wrecks. But the facts are facts...

The UBL has 4 "solid" teams, teams that have histories going back 10 years. So they have existing staffs and such.

The Pecos is in their 3rd year and the Freedom is in their second. They may have tiny crowds, but if they still exist they are either doing something right or have owners very willing to lose lots of money every year. And yes, they are both at a level well below the big four (AA, FL, C-A, & AtlL)

And the PA is new, small stadiums, too much travel, and not the best organized, but they are returning 3/4 teams (replacing only the road team), and Maui actually has the most longevity out of any franchise out west not in Texas. And they have a schedule. yes it has games against the "semi-pro" teams, but it's a schedule with times and dates and locations and actual franchises with coaches and players. What does the AWBL have?

Listen, I want indy ball to make it out west, I do. I don't really know how it's been so successful in the midwest, north east, and texas, but such a failure for 20 years out west. I just have no faith that Cummings and the AWBL will survive this season, let alone be the league to establish itself out west.

Lunkhead, why do you give Cummings and the AWBL so much faith? What have you seen from the AWBL or from Cummings that show this thing has any chance of even starting play let alone making it?

[Lunkhead]

1st of all I know this Tim Ferguson and he is flat out lying about him pulling out, the league kicked him out because he did not have the financial backing and he owes them all funds from purchasing the team and from not paying his dues.

2nd besides Cummings owning the Maui franchise and selling it to Robert Young which all debts were to be paid by the new group and they just told all business owners that Cummings owed it to them not him. (Scum Bag)

3rd this is a new league and if you were so knowledgeable to Indy ball you would know there are hiccups as in any business.

4th I will give the AWBL the same chance as the Freedom and Pacific Association, not try to put them down. Since you have only followed Indy ball and do not have the experience of owning a team or a league, I would keep my negative thoughts to yourself.

5th I think the AWBL will shut a lot of nay sayers down when the 1st pitch is thrown out. Remeber, the PABL just announced their League and then put out their schedule a week ago, the Freedom League has admitted to only having 2 stadiums with 4 teams and no schedule. And the one league you point out is the AWBL and that makes me wonder were this is coming from, if you are not affilated to any of them and just an on looker.

Didn't your parents teach you if you have nothing nice to say then don't say anything.

[pilots13]

I talk negatively about the AWBL here because this is an AWBL thread. This isn't about the PL, PA, Freedom, or any other league. And I talk negatively because in my mind for a league to be successful, it should follow the model of the successful leagues (AA, Atl, FL, & C-A) These leagues posted schedules before Christmas, and you can't make a schedule unless you have solid teams, leases, and staffs. It's not like the AWBL popped out of nowhere overnight. Cummings created this league shortly after pulling Yuma and OC out of the NAL. So he's had nearly a year to set up his league, yet here we sit with no "official" franchises, no schedule, no tryouts, no websites (for teams) nothing. If I'm a baseball fan in Las Cruces, having already experienced the Pecos League, what about that gives me any reason to spend my disposable income on a new AWBL team? Especially when less than an hour away are the El Paso Diablos and the AA?

I do tend to rag on Cummings a lot but it's cause everything he's touched has been a failure. He's owned Maui, OC, & Yuma and Maui has been the only team to actually play a game, and lost money hand over fist that year. He's also owned three different holding companies in as many years. Now he owns the AWBL with 4 or 5 or maybe 6 teams, again, who have never played a pitch and show no signs of doing so. I also see the deception he throws out there to lure investors in. The AWBL website talks about how they were founded when Yuma and OC pulled out and the NAL "ceased operations 30 days after the acquisitions" which is a lie as the NAL played the whole season (loosely, but still under the NAL banner) and that league basically still exists (just now as the PA and UBL). I also laughed at the quote from the mayor of Nogales when he said any indy team would be good for the town cause the team would have Nogales on their jersey when "They would play in California, they would play in Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas." Any guess who's planting the idea of playing in all those states? Lofty, unrealistic promises. Is he the only failure of an owner? By no means, but is the the failure of an owner who is associated with the AWBL for whom this thread is about.

[Pounder]

The question stands: does this league have any stadium leases among the California cities? Or anywhere else?

However one tries to get their teams, it's unwise to mess with the SABR guys. Just saying.

Nogales (which I'm damn sure we're talking about Arizona, there's no real Nogales NM) is interesting to me. It's probably the main Arizona portal into Mexico. There's some population on the American side and substantially more on the Mexican side and I'd almost want to see how a team does out there. Problem is, it doesn't work without at least 3 other viable clubs, and I'm not seeing that in AWBL.

BTW, it's not as if I'd have much respect for the Freedom or Pacific either. The closest I could come to a "Twitter explanation" is that there are too many moderately-sized reasons. It's enough of a struggle getting public funds for Cal League ballparks (not to mention NWL; Hillsboro gets by with a $15 million install because the field and parking and even 3rd base hillside are already there). People actually study ballpark finances around here (blame University of Oregon for having a sports marketing school that's potentially self-loathing if not self-serving... and I'm a Duck). Few things get built, travel expenses are a bit high, and there aren't a lot of markets with media not already dominated by someone's majors.

So, Lunkhead, the way you've played your cards in this discussion raise red flags, making me think you have a vested interest, throwing accusations and deflecting at obvious moments. However, let's put it this way: trying to get a league going out here is kind of like trying to get Bruce Willis pregnant. It's asking for a miracle in the premise.

[Evad]

I just spoke with a co-worker that grew up in Nogales. He played High School Baseball and said they would have anywhere between 1000 to 1500 people in the stands for home games. The whole town turned out. Baseball is HUGE there. The one bit of advise he gave for the owners of the team would be to make sure there were food trucks there ready to feed people because they will come if there is food and baseball. He also mention that about 6 to 8 of his teammates went on to play at D-1 schools and did really well.

[Lucy Lou]

Lunkhead, is a proper name for you. You run your mouth as if no one else, knows anything. Let's back up to last season, bonehead. While I was in California, I visited my friend in San Diego. She showed me a "private" e-mail that you had sent to her. We figured you thought that she was someone else. She knows the people who you intended the threatening e-mail for. They are very nice people that she met while at a SurfDog/Flyers game. Yes, we thought it best to forward your crap to them. Now, you go on and lie about Mr. Young. It was well know that the Young group, not just Mr. Young, foreclosed on the Maui team, excepting only a few debts, not all. Every business and bank was owed money from the previous owner. Someone earlier said it correctly. The AWBL changed headquarters because the rent was due. If you all notice, Cummings does not purchase anything. Just rents then skips out. No, Lunkhead, you all have a reputation around the baseball league, and it is well known. That is why people can not believe that any investors will work with Cummings on any venture. The name also comes up in North Carolina and Florida. There is this thing called the internet, that tells on people, no matter how they try and build up their resume.
You fail to mention that Mr. Young has the Maui team going to Japan and Japan coming to Maui. That, in itself, is a major accomplishment.
If you all notice, none of the Canadian Cities are envolved with the Western U.S. Teams. Maybe Maui and Japan would be of interest, at some later date....
Lunkhead, just keep your BS to yourself. You are good for a laugh now and then, but really, we are tired of it.....

[Pounder]

Lucy, while Lunkhead certainly raises red flags with what he's written, I actually think we don't need to stab out.

Just trying to work towards a league out here is punishment enough. Self-inflicted, no less.

[Lunkhead]

Lucy, what you are saying is that young and group foreclosed on a note and when they did that the deal was they were to pay only special select vendors, anybody with a brain knows if you foreclose on a company you will get all debts, so cummings did not leave others hanging young and group did.

Two he does not but his offices he just pays rent, wow what an evil plan. I wonder what does young and group do oh yes they rent. 99% of businesses do.

Third, investors must have an issue with young and group also since they did not pay their debts in Fullerton remember your great comment about 75k being owed, well that comes from young and friends. OOPs i am sorry they have the same problem you say cummings has, maybe it is just them and they are making up stories.

And what an accomplishment young playing in Japan maybe nobody wants to play in maui since it is the most ridiculous idea for minor league baseball and imagine he needs to go out of the country to play ball since no team in the states want to play there. And yes he started a new league and it is him and one other group that is playing semi-pro teams to complete a schedule.

Lucy, I think you need to get your facts straight before you slam me, Young and his group are all smoke and mirrors they owed 75k to CSUF and others but did not pay they just left, then according to you the great insider state that young and group foreclosed on Maui and the deal was to pay only a few vendors, this would never happen so it sounds like they just decided not to pay the vendors and blame cummings. So, take your stories to young and group since they will listen to your praises and you can feel good about yourself.:rolleyes:

[Evad]

More news out of Nogales.

http://www.nogalesinternational.com/sports/about-face-pro-baseball-in-nogales-now-a-good-possibility/article_51217d1a-7709-11e2-b97a-0019bb2963f4.html

http://www.nogalesinternational.com/sports/glad-to-see-that-the-common-good-was-the-theme/article_26a77974-7aa9-11e2-9674-0019bb2963f4.html

[Lunkhead]

AWBL signs agreement with the City of Nogales for the use of War Memorial Stadium and signs Operating Rights Agreement with Ownership Group consisting of MLB Players and Business Professionals


http://www.americanwestbl.com/awbl-signs-agreement-with-the-city-of-nogales-for-the-use-of-war-memorial-stadium-and-signs-operating-rights-agreement-with-ownership-group-consisting-of-mlb-players-and-business-professionals/:D

[indyproball]

That's really great news.

That is the 6th team I was asking about!

So, according to the league website at this moment, if we add Las Cruces and Nogales to the 4 teams that are currently listed, the league looks like this:

FULLERTON
LAS CRUCES
LONG BEACH
NOGALES
NORTH COUNTY
YUMA

That is a fine league footprint!

Lunkhead, is 6 teams going to be the final league setup or can we expect more teams to join for 2013?

[pilots13]

Well, the AWBL site changed, now they only list 3 teams, Fullerton, North County, and Nogales. I assume Las Cruces will be there given their recent announcement, but Yuma is kinda a long shot, and Long Beach has been silent since they were formed. It's still tough to see this coming together in time.

Lunkhead, what is your connection to all this?

[pilots13]

I just went to the Nogales website for the first time a few minutes ago. These sentences pretty much sum up why I don't trust the AWBL:

"The bulk of the team are stars from the top professional league in Colombia that plays in the winter months in Colombia, making them available and eager for the opportunity to develop their game and to be showcased in the summer in the American West Baseball League.

American West Baseball League sends 20 to 30 players to MLB organizations each season! "

So basically they came to some agreement to bring over a bunch of players from Columbia to fill the Nogales' (and maybe the rest of the leauge's) rosters vs having actual tryouts. And second, the AWBL sends 20-30 players to MLB clubs? Outright LIE. The league has never yet played a game. The only club that has ever "played" ball is the Flyers, and they haven't played in 2 years and are the same club in name only.

I'm sorry, when I read crap like that, then I have ZERO faith in the league surviving. It's one thing to exaggerate the truth a bit, which every team and every league does, but this was an outright lie. Just like the Nogales team traveling to Nevada and Utah and Texas. Lies. Maybe some day they will travel there, or send that many players to affiliated organizations, but to talk like it has happened, or it will happen this year is straight up lies.

[Lunkhead]

I do not recall seeing where the AWBL posted that they are filling slots of Colombians and not having Tryouts....

I did not see this on any AWBL site or press stating anywhere that the League sends 30-40 players to the MLB...

Did the league state that they would be going to Utah, Texas and Nevada?

So did the AWBL say this and if so please provide a link to where they show this.

I see they have announced a Try Out in So Cal for players and we have yet to see a roster come out, so I am confused.

[pilots13]

http://nogalesdesertghosts.com/main/index.html

Front page of the Nogales' website. And, yes, technically it's not coming from the league, but it is their newest team, and since it's still there now, no one from the league office has told them to take it down.

And I didn't suggest they aren't having tryouts, but they are filling roster spots buy just bring over people from Columbia vs filling out full rosters from tryouts like every other league does.

http://www.gvnews.com/sahuarita_sun/news/pro-baseball-plan-draws-boos-in-nogales/article_9c55562a-7214-11e2-a71b-0019bb2963f4.html

In this article the Mayor of Nogales states: “I know there’s a scheduling issue, but we have to understand that Nogales has to be put on the map,” Garino said. “This team would always have the name Nogales on their shirts. They would play in California, they would play in Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas.”

Right before this it talks about Garino talking with the AWBL commissioner. You can connect the dots to figure out where he's getting the idea that his team would be playing in all those spots.

And Lunkhead, you didn't tell me what your connection is? People here talk like you have an ownership stake, or know the owners or something. Just curious to understand where you're coming from.

[Lunkhead]

So, the league did not say it put 20-30 players in MLB, a new team did that. So, your statement is wrong. Try this link and it is down.

http://nogalesdesertghosts.com/

Now you know that is not true all teams have players with playing experience and they do not try-out, for example if an ex-major leaguer or a player from the affilated Minors join they do not try out. So, again you are wrong on that statement also.

The mayor from Nogales stated that the AWBL plays out of Texas, Utah, Nevada and California not the league nor the commissioner, it was the MAyor of Nogales and no I do not connect the dots. Only one Fact here and that is you write that the league said these things when indeed they did not.

I now would question your intentions and why you want to put things in writing that are not facts.:eek:

[indyproball]

A league is only as strong as its weakest team.

[pilots13]

Actually Lunkhead, if you reread my "Really?!?!" post I don't ever actaully say it was the AWBL saying those things. It was Nogales and the Mayor making those claims. But I stand by my point that when teams and supporters of teams and the league are making these outlandish claims and outright lies, it does not make the league look good. This is why the more established leagues have high standards before they allow a team to join or continue in the league (see Ft Worth getting booted from the AA).

Again, my intentions? None. I've explained already I'm just a rube. I'm a landscape designer, a St Paul Saints fan, and I follow all the indy circuts. That's my connection. I hope the AWBL and all the indy leagues out west are successful. In fact this time last year I was getting savaged for supporting the NAL and advocating that Edmonton should join the AA. I bash the AWBL cause I don't see many positive signs coming out of this league (much like I don't see much from the UBL either, but this isn't a UBL thread) and though I hope they are successful, I have my doubts.

And to ask again the honest question I have for you that you seem to be avoiding answering, what is your connection? Do you work for the AWBL? Did you have the Nogales site taken down after I pointed out their obvious flaws? Or are you just and indy rube like the rest of us, largely talking out of our asses?

[Pounder]

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/mar/11/north-county-cannons-baseball/

Fullerton ??
Las Cruces
Nogales

Good luck.

[Eddie]

Actually Lunkhead, if you reread my "Really?!?!" post I don't ever actaully say it was the AWBL saying those things. It was Nogales and the Mayor making those claims. But I stand by my point that when teams and supporters of teams and the league are making these outlandish claims and outright lies, it does not make the league look good. This is why the more established leagues have high standards before they allow a team to join or continue in the league (see Ft Worth getting booted from the AA).

Again, my intentions? None. I've explained already I'm just a rube. I'm a landscape designer, a St Paul Saints fan, and I follow all the indy circuts. That's my connection. I hope the AWBL and all the indy leagues out west are successful. In fact this time last year I was getting savaged for supporting the NAL and advocating that Edmonton should join the AA. I bash the AWBL cause I don't see many positive signs coming out of this league (much like I don't see much from the UBL either, but this isn't a UBL thread) and though I hope they are successful, I have my doubts.

And to ask again the honest question I have for you that you seem to be avoiding answering, what is your connection? Do you work for the AWBL? Did you have the Nogales site taken down after I pointed out their obvious flaws? Or are you just and indy rube like the rest of us, largely talking out of our asses?

He's a lot more than a "rube" but he won't ever admit it. Seems they lost yet another team. 3 left

[Bonhomme2010]

Rest In Peace!

[Evad]

http://www.nogalesinternational.com/sports/rocky-road-for-awbl-but-season-still-expected-to-happen/article_81de4580-8b56-11e2-9295-0019bb2963f4.html

[Lunkhead]

Las Cruces is Proud to Announce their Team Name and Logo
http://www.americanwestbl.com/las-cruces-is-proud-to-announce-their-team-name-and-logo/

[pilots13]

Yea, they're done. When the season is suppose to start within 2 months and for every try out and team name we hear about, we get another story about another team dropping out. I want to give them a chance, but it's near impossible to do so at this point.

[indyproball]

They don't think they're done. They just made another annoucement.

Maybe if we give them the benefit of the doubt, their owners have money and they aren't dependent on sponsorships to complete the season.

They will operate at a loss the first year, but really, what new business doesn't?

But, year two and beyond can see an increase of revenue and all can be good.

If I remember correctly, the Nogales team has 6 MLB players and 10 professionals as their ownership group. That is a very low investment amount per owner to get through the first season.

It's easy to jump to the conclusion that things aren't going to work out, but what if they really do pull this off?

The next two months may be very interesting...

[pilots13]

I'd love it if they pulled this thing off. I look at how strong Indy ball is in the NE, Midwest, and Texas and I scratch my head why it's been such a failure in the southwest and Pacific coast all these years. And yes, miracle, throw a league together at the last minute, moves do occasionally work (See what is now the Pacific Assc. last year).

The problem is before you sell tickets, sign players, hire staff, brand merchandise, promote your league, you need teams. And this league doesn't have them. Can they get them together? Sure! Can they do it between now and the end of May? Looking less and less likely as time goes on. One of the articles I read noted that 4 of the 5 franchises announced when the league was formed has folded. Fullerton is the only one left (and they are rumored to be a travel team). Las Cruses just got a name and is playing in a market the Pecos league abandoned. Now today I go to check out Nogales' website and simply get "account suspended."

Sorry... Not happening, at least not this year. Again, the best thing they could do is shut 'er down for the season and regroup, then come out next year with 4 or 6 solid teams, with stadiums, logos, and a plan in motion months in advance of the season.

[smallballfan]

They don't think they're done. They just made another annoucement.

Things were looking grim, but hey, as long as they made another "annoucement"...

“It’s inconvenient … dealing with people who maybe shouldn’t have gotten involved to begin with,” Smock said.

Who approved these people to get involved in the first place?

[NgAzDesertGhostsBaseball]

Great thread ladies and gentlemen,LOVE IT!!
I'm one of the owners of the nogales desert ghosts. From what I've been reading there's a lot of rumors and speculations circulating the forum with good reason. Let me clarify, No lunkend is not on the payroll but thanks for giving us the benefit of the doubt. Send me a PM, I'll send you a DG hat. There's a lot of questions to answer, feel free to ask. There WILL be ghosts sightings near Nogales,AZ soon. GET SPOOKED !!!!

[E-TownCaps]

Great thread ladies and gentlemen,LOVE IT!!
I'm one of the owners of the nogales desert ghosts. From what I've been reading there's a lot of rumors and speculations circulating the forum with good reason. Let me clarify, No lunkend is not on the payroll but thanks for giving us the benefit of the doubt. Send me a PM, I'll send you a DG hat. There's a lot of questions to answer, feel free to ask. There WILL be ghosts sightings near Nogales,AZ soon. GET SPOOKED !!!!

Once again the American West Baseball League keeping it classy since 2012. ;)

[indyproball]

The above post by a Nogales owner is fake. Any real owner would identify themselves. Again, some people here want to discredit this league.

Let's see a show hands, who wants to see this league succeed?

[pilots13]

I'd like to see them succeed. I just don't have much optimism they will.

[Lunkhead]

Manager and Coach announced at Las Cruces

http://www.americanwestbl.com/las-cruces-sun-rays-are-proud-to-announce-their-manager-and-coach/

[indyproball]

Dead link. Just when I begin to feel somewhat hopeful, there is another problem.

All little things, but this is no way to run a little league, or, pro league.

The website had mentioned first game in May. It's almost April. 3 teams and no offices? Or have the teams got situated into offices by now.

[Pounder]

A league that provides an excuse for me to travel to even some smaller Oregon towns to sample local brews (and there are MANY good ones) and catch some ball; that would be cool. Problem is, not only does NWL get some pub, you're not going to get people to leave the WCL behind for a nascent pro league. Such a league needs to get its cheese together. This league only seems to cause more of the wrong talk out here.

[Lunkhead]

Fullerton Flyers are Proud to announce their Manager and Field Staff

http://www.americanwestbl.com/fullerton-flyers-are-proud-to-announce-their-manager-and-field-staff/

I have a feeling all of the nay sayers are going to get their words thrown back at them. It looks like these guys are moving forward. I wish them all the luck and success.

[pilots13]

What's with the "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT" at the end of the Sun Rays press release? I don't think I've ever seen that before? Is that their way to justify feeding people lines of BS to make it sound like they are a viable league?

Oh, I also enjoy this line is still being passed around: "The league was founded by Michael Cummings, after acquiring 2 teams which played in another league that ceased operations 30 days after the acquisitions." When the NAL not only played out the full season last year, but they are also playing this season as well (just under the PA and UBL banners).

[Lunkhead]

You truly do have a head full of rocks, the forward looking statement is because they are owned by a public entity. And the NAL is all but gone, the league does not exist and they used the name last year to look like it was legit.

If the NAL exist who is the CEO and Commissioner, why are they playing another adult league in Arizona. And they are playing under the UbL and PAL that is a joke. Damn some people try so hard to know somethings and just can't fake it.

If the NAL is still a league and you can prove that there is personnel, one schedule and all teams are supported by this league with umpires, By-Laws, etc.

I will never post here again, but if I am correct then you never popst here again. Bet I win.

[riverrider35]

the ubl and PA have way more validity then the awbl, the darn pecos and freedom have more validity then the awbl, watching this league has been amusing.
first their was 5 or maybe 6 then 4 then back to 5 now 3? its funny I must admit, your going to put a team with Colombians in Orange county? Yea I bet that will work, especially when you can go down the road and watch the Angels and their re-vamp lineup. Are they playing at csuf? Oh and the best part is Jerry Layman and Dan Di Pace involved hahha, now we know that team will be a joke. And Las Cruces are you kidding me, no clubhouse, no batting cages, No BP screen and best no Bp hitting turtle. Also teams cant practice their in spring training. So Now you see the Pecos ran out of their, must mean the market is not good, duhhhhh. Yuma, Owner ran away from their, North County same thing. Get serious AWBL, what happened to your winter league? oh you couldn't pull that off, stop hosting tryouts and signing players and charging them to play for a team in a league that dont exist and most likely wont play.
Then these crooked owners are telling these players that the league owns their contracts, they do this so that they can try and sell them, thus screwing over the players from getting jobs so they can make some money to keep their website running.
Im sure Lunkhead will bash this becuase since beginning has supported the GBL, NAL and NOW AWBL must have a connection their, good for him, but the facts are AWBL is a joke

[pilots13]

You truly do have a head full of rocks, the forward looking statement is because they are owned by a public entity. And the NAL is all but gone, the league does not exist and they used the name last year to look like it was legit.

If the NAL exist who is the CEO and Commissioner, why are they playing another adult league in Arizona. And they are playing under the UbL and PAL that is a joke. Damn some people try so hard to know somethings and just can't fake it.

If the NAL is still a league and you can prove that there is personnel, one schedule and all teams are supported by this league with umpires, By-Laws, etc.

I will never post here again, but if I am correct then you never popst here again. Bet I win.

I never said the NAL is STILL a league, I said they did not fold 30 days after Yuma and Fullerton bailed like is being claimed on the AWBL site. The NAL officially folded AT THE END of their 2012 season. Then the teams remaining split into two and formed the Pacific Association and the reborn UBL. Lunkhead, you claim to be so knowledgeable about Indy ball. Please tell me I didn't really have to explain all this to you. You know you can use this thing called Google and find out this stuff before you make an idiot of yourself.

Oh, and here is the NAL schedule from last year, you know the league that folded 30 days after Cummings left, That's a lot of games, complete with game results, played in 30 days.
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/schedule/?l_id=153
And there are plenty of articles all over OSC that talk about the goings on of the NAL last season and how things were being run.

I'd expect a response, but since I proved you wrong I assume you will finally go away and never post again like you said. Bye bye!

[Lunkhead]

Far from proving me wrong I actually saw the letter from the NAL to the owners stating that they were closing down and that there will be no league. Just because some teams played as if they were part of it does not make it so. Again, answer the question who was CEO and Commissioner, also who hired umpires? If you ask the guys in Texas they will tell you they hired their own umpires and that they just played under the NAL name but there truly was no league. And if you ask Hawaii and San Rafael each team provided their own umpires and they just played under the NAL name but again that does not make it a league just a visual thing for people like you. Cummings quit because of the cost to operate a travel team team and a team in Yuma that was slammed by the Winter League oh by the way that is the NAL that did not pay any of their employess, vendors and umpires. So, go away now and show me prove:cool:

[indyproball]

June 1st.
Baseball or no baseball.

[pilots13]

Well I had lunch with Mike Shapiro about half way though the season last year and he assured me the NAL was alive and "well."

What makes up a league? Is it what people are calling a group of teams playing each other? Is it a living, breathing commissioner? Is it when a staff member is hired, a team fills a roster, a team takes the field? Ten teams played under the NAL banner last year. Everyone called it that. Were they disfunctional, unorganized, barely together? You bet. But the same thing can be said about your beloved AWBL and you make no hesitation to proclaim it not only a viable league, but a healthy one.

Fact: 8 of the 10 teams who were originally going to make up the NAL last season played under the NAL banner, in whatever capasity that was, they played a full season under it. Out of the 10 teams who played as the NAL last year, 7 are slated to come back this year. What's your buddy Michael Cummings got?

[karlchilders]

River, you no longer part of the Pecos?

[riverrider35]

No Karl. I didn't like the direction it was headed so I pursued better baseball interest. I wish it luck but my confidence isn't there with it anymore. Too many bad descions this offseason and too many non baseball people without much experience being hired. Pecos had good thing and a niche but seems slowly its becoming the new continental baseball league

[Evad]

http://thecoastnews.com/2013/03/effort-to-bring-minor-league-ball-to-north-county-called-out-this-year/

[BigSix]

2013 AWBL Playoff Format—best of the current teams:

Fullerton
Las Cruces
Nogales

...against the best of the teams that already folded:

Long Beach
Mesa
North County
Yuma

[riverrider35]

Is Mike Cumings out of the AWBL? dont see him on page anymore, also how will they play with 3 teams, no way and las cruces is shady at best.

[pilots13]

So is it safe to call the AWBL a failure? Everything Cummings has touched has been a wreck. It's been one aborted team after team. One aborted league after league. I don't see why communities keep buying into what this guy is selling. Hopefully the remaining employees of this league and these teams can regroup or join up with someone else and actually form a viable league.

What say you Lunkhead. Been quiet lately....

[Lunkhead]

:cool:Some guy that does not have a life states that they do not see him on the website. And the three stooges come out and say the league is gone and Cummings has screwed communities over as usual, blah blah blah.... How you can even justify your nonsense is beyond me, nowhere, anywhere does anything say the league is gone or that Cummings is gone. Give me a break and go suck on your mommy's ***

[indyproball]

http://m.yahoo.com/w/legobpengine/finance/news/embark-holdings-inc-announces-changes-140000390.html?.intl=us&.lang=en-us

This press release explains Cummings retired.

Why retire before your first pro league plays in 2 months?

This outfit has no marketing skills whatsoever. It's over...

[pilots13]

Someone consciously removed every reference to Michael Cummings and his connections to the founding of the league from not only their website but from their Wiki page. Combine that with the article Indy found and it's obvious that it's more than an assumption and three stooges replying to it. This one has this crazy thing called "facts" backing it up.

Another Cummings project aborted before it saw the field.

[riverrider35]

Man this lunkheads character is a real tool. Everyone else here supports their arguments he spills angry rhetoric. Also funny he defends Cummings is still with awbl then someone finds a story to show he isn't. Haha. He says we have no life posting on here. Doesn't he post as well? Has or is this dude ever right. Doesn't seem that way. Awbl dead drop ur scam charging for tryouts no way they play

[Lunkhead]

That link states he resigned from Embark not AWBL, and if you call the AWBL Cummings is still involved and they are playing this year. So, when you jack***** get your story straight post until then go tell stories about others.:eek:

[Evad]

I'd like to take a moment and interrupt this conversation and thank those of you that have made this thread a success. This is the first one, that I've started, to reach 100 replies.

I, like many of you, enjoy minor league sports. With that enjoyment comes a lot of passion and excitement. As more info comes out about the AWBL we will soon see if it'll make it or be added to the long list of "other" leagues on the list of "not happening." I'm not monitoring or suggesting anyone needs to cool it just remember that at the end of the day when you log off O.S.C. to ask yourself "was it worth it?" That is all. Thanks again.

[riverrider35]

When Cummings name isn't anywhere to be found. Usually means he's out Wouldn't anyone with half a brain not named lunkheads agree? When one has to resolve to using vulgarity on here. Says a lot about his character. But we wouldn't expect much else now

[indyproball]

Embark is/was selling stock and also issued press releases telling that Embark owned the American West Baseball League. From looking at the pink sheet websites, Embark has sold stock with the story that the Company is playing baseball this summer.
If Embark's CEO retired from the position, would it not be assumed the CEO has left any Embark job and any job associated with any Embark company?
Why would he still be associated with the league if his name has been removed from the league website?
What position does he still hold?
If he is truly working for the league, an Embark company, and the press release says that the CEO has retired to pursue other goals, and he is still in the league office, I find that misleading.
What phone number can be called to reach a live person at the league? I've called several times and left message and never received a return call.
Is there an actual office I can go to and meet the league?

[J.J. Smith]

As the signs point to this league being DOA. Mid April now, and the website is devoid of any updates or schedule. Michael Cummings has resigned as CEO from the company that was behind this, Embark Holdings (formerly Godfather Media and several other names) and seems to have disappeared. The new CEO sells bodybuilding supplements and has not given any indication of wanting to pursue indy baseball anymore.

Now it's time for Lunkhead to chime in with how I don't know anything and what a great league this is going to be.

[E-TownCaps]

The independent baseball season kicks off tonight (April 18th) with the Atlantic League season playing a full slate of games (four). The American Association, CanAm League, & Frontier League teams will all begin training camps the first week of May, with their regular seasons starting mid May. Goes to show how far behind the American West Baseball League really is.

What I don't understand is how teams, can sell tickets and sucker people into spending money on their product, when NONE of the THREE AWBL teams have a functioning website. Isn't that the first thing you do, put up a website? Doing your business on Facebook & Twitter is amatuer.

[jmel92501]

whats your opinion on wordpress then???
:cool:

[SugarBear]

I agree. Especially as a new start-up league. Each team should have had a website up at least 6 months in advance, building their brand, especially if you want to state that you are a professional league. It looks very unprofessional. I know guys in the Can-Am league and they all have been marketing like crazy the last two months already.

As jmel pointed out wordpress is a nice simple option they could go for. However, they'd have to pay for web hosting and maybe they don't have the experience to build a site with that. But even if they wanted to go cheaper and easier than that, use www.wix.com or leaguelineup.com - but at least have something out there. You have too.

The facebook and twitter thing will only do so much. Unless they have an amazing grassroots campaign with local schools and organizations already in place. Group outings are a major part to success in minor league sports.

I've worked with and have a number of friends throughout all the professional leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB), I can tell you, our busiest time of the year believe it or not is when the season ends. Everything kicks into high gear approaching local businesses, sponsorships and potential season ticketholders.

As with all leagues that try to get stuff going, I'm a sports nut and I wish them the best but they're starting a little behind the 8-ball already if they're not set up already.

Again, there are free websites out there. At a minimum, put something up.

Good luck

[Eddie]

There aren't many people who even expected this "league" to get off the ground.

Where's Lunkhead. Wait, didn't he resign or something.

[jmel92501]

if u r seeking funding for a pro sports franchise,maybe try www.kickstarter.com but i dont know if its possible there

[indyproball]

http://www.examiner.com/article/american-west-baseball-league-continues-to-crumble-as-former-owners-speak-out?CID=examiner_alerts_article

[pilots13]

Excellent article and excellent insight into this train wreck of a league.

[indyproball]

http://www.nogalesinternational.com/sports/free-desert-ghosts-t-shirt/article_02024378-aceb-11e2-8b8b-0019bb2963f4.html?TNNoMobile

[BaseballKid3]

http://www.americanwestbl.com/bisbee-is-proud-to-announce-their-team-name-manager-and-logo/

[nksports]

it's May. This league is still trying to come up with teams for the 2013 season? Summer college leagues are better organized than this. Our local summer college team had its schedules, sponsors and host parents lined up before the end of December, and the team has most of its roster set. And this is a team on a $20,000-something yearly budget.

[BigSix]

They got to four teams (I'm assuming... the Twitter feed is operational, the Facebook page is down and the website doesn't exist yet) but this is further than I thought they'd get after having the other teams drop out. The cities they're in are relatively isolated (save Fullerton).

If I lived in Nogales, and my choices were to watch live baseball or watch the D-backs or Rockies on TV, I would probably opt to go down to the ballpark and watch live baseball.

Now, if they can get through Year One and replace Fullerton with Tucson in 2014, the footprint will look a lot better (and they won't be competing with the Dodgers, Angels and a handful of California League teams in the same market.)

[indyproball]

http://www.examiner.com/article/american-west-baseball-league-slithers-into-bisbee?cid=PROD-redesign-right-next

[J.J. Smith]

"An agreement with the Bisbee School District which operates Warren Ballpark, will allow the AWBL to use the field on Monday through Thursday from June until early August. The team will be aptly named the snakelike Bisbee Copperheads. A semipro team uses the ballpark on Friday and Saturday nights. Bisbee High School converts the outfield for football use in August."

This is more pathetic than funny, but it's definitely both.

[BigSix]

Wow, being squeezed out of weekend dates by a semi-pro team and high school football... nevermind, I guess Bisbee is just a waiting room anyway.

The league still needs to avoid Los Angeles/San Diego metro areas and focus on smaller cities within a reasonable bus ride. Aim to be the only game within an hour drive, and end the delusions of grandeur for planting your flag in the Los Angeles or Phoenix MSAs, or wherever.

[Lunkhead]

Did you work for them, because there is nothing posted or did you work for the team. Because I hear the guy running the team is a tool i think his name is Dan or Tang something like that. the rumor is he could not sell any sponsorships and he just ran the clock on them.:cool:

[J.J. Smith]

And where do you get YOUR information from, Mr. Lunkhead. Do you work for Cummings, or maybe, related to him? I'm thinking the latter.

And glad to see you back from your OSC retirement. Much more entertaining your indignant babble.

[pilots13]

Lets say the guy running the rumored folded team is a tool and couldn't sell any sponsorships, isn't that the responsibilities of the league owner/commissioner (whoever it is these days) to do background checks on owners and ensure they are competent, especially when you have a league on life support that's lost 5 teams already. This is why the AA has something like a 3 million dollar bond each team must post to ensure they are serious and financially stable (which is why Ft Worth got booted, cause they couldn't post said bond and that team has been a disaster ever since leaving the AA). Make all the excuses you want, it all comes back on Cummings and the rest of the leadership of the AWBL.

[indyproball]

Players from AWBL teams are calling the three independent western leagues today looking for spots.
They relay that they were told the AWBL has folded.

[FlyerFan]

I have heard the same thing.

[pilots13]

And the inevitable has finally happened.

[BigSix]

AWBL Puts Halt to its Inaugural Season
http://www.nogalesinternational.com/sports/awbl-puts-halt-to-its-inaugural-season/article_f805bd42-c251-11e2-ab49-0019bb2963f4.html

So which of the four teams bailed out?

[FlyerFan]

Fullerton Flyers pulled out. No big surprise.

[pilots13]

The eternal optimism from these clowns (at the AWBL). Still planning for a 2014 season. They had over a year to ready for the 2013 season and look how that ended up. The only viable franchises involved in this mess are Nogales and Yuma. Everyone else had no/inadequate stadiums and no visible attempt to market themselves and create a real team. Hopefully these two, and maybe some others, can latch on somewhere in 2014. It's sad to see viable markets in the SW but no stable league for them to be a part of.