El Centro Imperials To Return To Pro Baseball After 57 Years
Published on May 6, 2008 under Golden Baseball League (GBL) News Release
(El Centro, CA.) The Golden Baseball League (GBL), in a partnership with the City of El Centro, is pleased to announce the return of the legendary El Centro Imperials to professional baseball after a 57 year layoff following their Sunset League title in 1950 and their last year as a member of the Southwest International League in 1951. The Yuma Scorpions, based about 60 miles away, will play a slate of 5 games as the El Centro Imperials at Stark Field in El Centro, CA, the former Imperials home ballpark, and will face the Orange County Flyers, Long Beach Armada, St. George Roadrunners, and Chico Outlwas.
"We are pleased to return such a storied team to professional baseball," said Golden Baseball League Commissioner Kevin Outcalt. "The City of El Centro has been tremendous to work with and this should be a great set of games for fans and families to enjoy."
The El Centro Imperials, playing in retro-uniforms of their 1950 Sunset League championship season, will be managed by Scorpion's skipper and former Los Angeles Dodger all-star and two-time World Series champion Mike Marshall as they tune up with a spring training exhibition game, inlcuding a kids clinic beforehand, and then will host four regular season games. Visiting managers and coaches include major league greats such as Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, 2-time MLB All-Star and 1985 American League Home Run champ Darrell Evans, Los Angeles Dodger World Series MVP Steve Yeager, and Cleveland Indians slugger Cory Snyder. The complete regular season schedule is:
May 29th: El Centro Imperials vs. Orange County Flyers (Gary Carter & Darrell Evans)
July 1st: El Centro Imperials vs. St. George Roadrunners (Cory Snyder and Fireworks)
August 3rd: El Centro Imperials vs. Long Beach Armada (Steve Yeager)
August 27th: El Centro Imperials vs. Chico Outlaws (Defending GBL Champs)
"We are excited about this wonderful opportunity to expand on recreational activies in El Centro," said El Centro Mayor Jon Edney. "It is exciting to have professional baseball back in Imperial Valley."
The Imperial Valley has an impressive baseball history including the Imperials, the Los Angeles Angels former spring training complex in neighboring Holtville, the Mexicali Aguilas of the Mexican Liga Pacifico just across the border, and the heyday of minor league baseball when the Sunset League and Southwest International League fielded teams throughout the region. The El Centro Imperials had their finest year in the Class C Sunset League in 1950 as they upset the powerful Mexicali Aguilas to win the title. They were led by right-fielder Pete Hughes, considered one of the greatest hitters in minor league history, who led the league with a .393 average and who finished a 16 year career with a .350 batting average and the best all-time professonal walks average of .271.
Besides fine professional baseball featuring the players of the Golden Baseball League, considered the premier independent minor league in western North America, El Centro fans will be treated to the festive atmosphere of family fun that includes mascots, mid-inning promotions, kid's activities and play areas, great food and beer, giveaways, and even fireworks one night.
"We anticipate that these games will be very successful and will establish a relationship that we can further develop with the city," said Golden Baseball League CEO David Kaval. "Whether that means that this becomes an annual event or grows into being a new franchise in the league will be issues that we are looking forward to discuss this summer."
Tickets and advertising opportunities are immediately available by contacting Glenn Dobson, Director of Sales & Marketing for the Yuma Scorpions at 928-257-4700.
About The Golden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, Presented by Safeway Inc./VONS, is a professional baseball league operating in the western United States and Canada. Golden Baseball League teams include the Calgary Vipers in Calgary, Alberta Canada; the Chico Outlaws in Chico, CA; the Edmonton Cracker-Cats in Edmonton, Alberta Canada; the Orange County Flyers in Fullerton, CA; the Long Beach Armada in Long Beach, CA; the St. George Roadrunners in St. George, Utah; the Yuma Scorpions in Yuma, AZ; the Reno Silver Sox in Reno, NV; and the return of the El Centro Imperials for four games in El Centro, Ca. Over 60 GBL players have been acquired by major league baseball or professional international baseball organizations during the last two years. For general information, please visit our League web site at www.goldenbaseball.com.
Golden Baseball League Stories from May 6, 2008
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