Cuban, Japanese Teams Highlight Can-Am League Schedule
November 12, 2015 - Canadian American League (Can-Am) News Release
Durham N.C. -- Can-Am League commissioner Miles Wolff unveiled the league's 2016 schedule on Thursday, November 12, featuring regular-season games against teams from Cuba and Japan.
All six league clubs from 2015 will return and play a 100-game regular-season schedule, beginning May 19 and ending September 5: the New Jersey (Little Falls) Jackals, Ottawa Champions, Quebec (Quebec City) Capitales, Rockland Boulders (Pomona, N.Y.), Sussex County Miners (Augusta, N.J.) and Trois-Rivieres (Quebec) Aigles.
The playoff structure remains the same as in 2015, with the top four clubs reaching the postseason, and two best-of-five series determining the league champion. For the first time since 2011, teams will not play interleague games against American Association opponents. However, Can-Am League players will participate in the American Association All-Star Game on August 2 at CHS Field in St. Paul, Minn.
Included in the regular-season schedule will be matchups against Cuba's national team, as well as the all-star team from Japan's Shikoku Island League. In 2016, the two foreign squads will each play one three- or four-game series between June 9 and June 30 against every Can-Am League club.
Cuba's national team has historically been a powerhouse on the international baseball scene, winning Olympic gold medals three times, the Pan American Games championship 12 times, and the IBAF Baseball World Cup championship 25 times. In addition, Cuba finished second at the 2006 World Baseball Classic. The team was available to play Can-Am League opponents in 2016 as there are no international tournaments which conflict with its schedule this year.
The Shikoku Island League is Japan's top independent baseball league, playing an 80-game schedule during its regular season. In 2015, its all-star team played 16 games against Can-Am League opponents, and was competitive with a 6-10 overall record.
"We are thrilled to be able to showcase two great international teams," Wolff said. "The fact that both teams will be part of our regular season schedule is unique. We are honored that the Cuban national team respects the Can-Am League and will send their best team. In addition, the Shikoku Island League so enjoyed last year's season series that they are returning to continue the competition."
The Can-Am League is coming off a strong 2015 season that saw Trois-Rivieres win its first postseason championship in franchise history, Rockland put together the league's best regular-season record for the second year in a row, and over 650,000 fans come through the gates. In addition, Baseball America's Independent Player of the Year came from the Can-Am for the second straight season, with Rockland C/OF Joe Maloney receiving the honors.
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Canadian American League Stories from November 12, 2015
- Boulders Release 2016 Schedule - New York Boulders
- Cuban, Japanese Teams Highlight Can-Am League Schedule - Can-Am
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