Arizona Winter League Expands to Palm Springs
Published on October 10, 2007 under Golden Baseball League (GBL) News Release
(Dublin, CA. October 10, 2007) The Arizona Winter League (AWL) announced today that an agreement has been reached with Andrew Starke, owner of the summer collegiate Palm Springs Power and the city of Palm Springs to bring an Arizona Winter League expansion team to the city for the 2008 season which begins in this coming January.
"This is an exceptional opportunity to bring professional-level baseball to Palm Springs," said Andrew Starke, Owner of the Palm Springs Power and the Palm Springs Chill. "I am very pleased that we could add an AWL team here and think it will be great for the players, community, and fans. Fans will experience the same fun and excitement they have come to expect at Palm Springs Power games, but with pro baseball and cooler weather. It's a win-win all the way around."
Playing as the Palm Springs Chill and managed by former major league all-star and former Los Angeles Angels Triple-A manager Garry Templeton, the team will play every Friday and Saturday night at home during the 35 day season running from January 28th to March 2nd. They will be on the road during the week in Arizona. With rosters filled with experienced professional and collegiate players the Chill will play their home games at Palm Spring Stadium, former long-time spring training home of the California Angels.
"We're very excited to add Palm Springs as a member of the AWL," said David Kaval, CEO of the Arizona Winter League. "This is a great baseball town with a fine tradition, Andrew Starke is a very experienced and successful operator, and the weather is some of the finest in the country during the time we will be playing. I am really looking forward to bringing the greatest game ever invented as an entertainment option to this community in the winter."
The Arizona Winter League is comprised of players with professional experience or prospects that are hoping to sign professional contracts. Last year over 62% of all Arizona Winter League players left with professional contracts for the 2007 season. Three were signed by major league organizations including the San Francisco Giants, the Kansas City Royals, and the Baltimore Orioles. Arizona Winter League managers, coaches, and instructors are all former major league players and include, besides Templeton, Mike Marshall (L.A. Dodger All-Star and member of the 1988 World Series Championship team), Cory Snyder (former Cleveland Indian star slugger), Les Lancaster (former Chicago Cub pitcher and All-Rookie team), and many more.
For a complete schedule, games times, or ticket or sponsor information please contact the Palm Springs Chill at 760-854-6278.
About the Arizona Winter League
The Arizona Winter League is an off-season league for professional baseball players and prospects to improve and showcase their skills as they prepare for the upcoming summer season or acquire a professional contract. Formed in 2006 for the inaugural season played in Jan - Mar of 2007, the AWL is considered the premier winter league in the U.S. and had over 50 players last year signed to professional contracts. Operating out of the Ray Kroc complex and Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma, Arizona the league was comprised of four teams last year -- The Yuma Scorpions, Canada Miners, Sonora Surf Dawgs, and Snow Falcons. Teams for 2008 will be announced soon as the 2008 AWL will field 4-6 teams.
Golden Baseball League Stories from October 10, 2007
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
