Surf Dawgs update
November 23, 2005 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
San Diego Surf Dawgs News Release
As the Surf Dawgs get set to defend their 2005 GBL Championship, they now have the schedule that will lead them back to the playoffs. The first game of the season is set for June 1st in Yuma, and the Home Opener is on June 5th also vs Yuma.
The League will play a six team, 80 game regular season schedule that commences on June 1st and concludes on August 28th. The schedule also includes the addition of the inaugural All-Star Game to be held in Chico, CA and a Championship Series to be held on Labor Day weekend.
The League will be comprised of six teams for the 2006 season. The 2005 League Champion San Diego Surf Dawgs, the Long Beach Armada, the Fullerton Flyers, the Yuma Scorpions and the Chico Outlaws will all return for the 2006 season. The sixth team is the addition of the Reno Silver Sox, as announced by the League in October. The two Phoenix-area teams in Surprise and Mesa will have their operations suspended for the 2006 season as the league works out new partnership agreements with the cities. In order to remain at an even number of teams, the traveling Japan Samurai Bears will also not return.
The 2006 schedule will be an 80 game split-season played over 90 days. The schedule includes the addition of a mid-season all-star break to accommodate the GBL's first All-Star Game. The All-Star Game will be held in Chico on July 18th. The GBL's Championship Series format has also been revamped. The playoffs will feature the first half winner versus the second half winner in a best of five GBL Championship Series. Games will be played in a 2-game/3-game home and away series.
Boston Red Sox Sign Larry Owens
San Diego Surf Dawgs' Pitching Coach Larry Owens has been signed by the Boston Red Sox as an Area Scout. Owens will assess players and acquire talent for the major league organization in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and Michigan.
"Owens is a great selection by the Red Sox," said Terry Kennedy, Manager of the San Diego Surf Dawgs. "Larry was a key contributor in our championship season and I feel very fortunate to have had him on my staff. He selected, developed, and managed our pitching staff which was the best in the league and definitely gave us a superior advantage that we benefited from all year."
Owens was drafted out of college as a pitcher by the Atlanta Braves in 1990 and after his playing career in their farm system went into coaching. He has coached for two different summer leagues including the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod league, and six different colleges and universities. Most recently he spent the last four years as the pitching coach at the University of Memphis before joining the San Diego Surf Dawgs in the inaugural season of the Golden Baseball League. He has had 28 of his amateur and collegiate pitchers go on to sign professional contracts, including two that have made the major leagues. This season, his Surf Dawgs pitching staff led the GBL in E.R.A. and one of his pitchers, Adam Johnson, was purchased by the Oakland Athletics and sent directly to Triple-A Sacramento.
"As our first coach to move on to a major league organization, Larry will chart the path for other GBL field staff to begin or continue to pursue their major league dreams," said Kevin Outcalt, Commissioner of the Golden Baseball League. "We are pleased that the quality of our coaches is being recognized by affiliated organizations. Our talent on the field has already been acknowledged, including sixteen players acquired by MLB organizations this year."
Holiday Blowout Sale
This year, give the gift of baseball. All 2006 Season seats are 10% off, and with every purchase of a ticket plan, receive a free gift. If you already have your tickets, go to the Surf Shop and get 20% off everything in the store. This sale only goes until the end of the year and everything purchased before December 16th will come to you wrapped and ready to give for the holidays.
Golden Baseball League Stories from November 23, 2005
- Surf Dawgs update - San Diego Surf Dawgs
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.
