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<TITLE> Prospect Watch :college baseball recruiting,baseball tryout camps and amateur baseball draft
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The independent leagues are the fringes of professional baseball, the teams are made up of players who have spent some time in the minor leagues. Most players have been released, or were never considered good enough to sign in the first place. It the place for dreamers, hangers-on and guys to muster one last hurrah. But many have used the independent leagues as a place to display their talents to the scouts before moving on to the affiliated minor leagues.
 The pre-eminent and most successful of the independent leagues, founded in 1993 by former Durhan Bulls owner and president of Baseball America, Miles Wolf. The Northern League was a runaway success thanks to its swashbuckling atmoshere, savvy owners and presence of a many ex major leaguers such as Daryl Stawberry, Jack Morris, Glenn Davis, Pedro Guerrero, Leon Durham and (1997 College Player of the Year) J.D. Drew. The six team league expanded to eight in 1996 with the addition of the Madison Black Wolf and the Fargo- Moorhead RedHawks. The Northern League and Northeast League have merged in 1999.
JOLIET Jack Hammers
1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive
Joliet, IL 60432
Telephone: (815) 726-2255 FAX: (815)726-9223
info@jackhammerbaseball.com
KANSAS CITY T-Bones
1800 Village West Parkway
Kansas City, KS 66111
Telephone: (913) 328-2255 FAX: (913)328-5652
batterup@tbonesbaseball.com
SCHAUMBURG FLYERS
1999 South Springinsguth Road
Shaumburg, IL 60193
Telephone:(847) 891-2255 FAX (847)891-6441
info@flyersball.com
FARGO MOORHEAD REDHAWKS
1515 15 th Ave North
Fargo, ND 58102
Telephone: (701) 235-6161 FAX: (701) 297-9247
redhawks@fmredhawks.com
WINNIPEG GOLDEYES
One Portage Ave EastWinnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3N3
Telephone: (204)982-2273 FAX: (204)982-2274
goldeyes@goldeyes.com
GAMES: 86 (split-season) ROSTER LIMIT: 22. ELIGIBILITY RULES: Minimum of five first-year players; maximum of four veterns (at least four years of professional experience).
Salary Range: $700-2500 a month
Affiliated competition level: California League
Players to Affiliated Baseball: 180.
Former Major Leaguers: ( Jack Morris, Esteban Beltre, Greg Briley, John Dettmer, George Glinatsis, Lee Guetterman, Steve Howe, Larry See, Danny Perez, Dwight Smith, Matt Turner, Randy Tomlin, Paul Carey,Steve Hosey, Juan Nieves, Bernardo Brito, Gerald Young, Eric Yelding, Kim Batiste,Angel Miranda, Julio Valera, Gerald Young, Brian Giles, Luis Quinones, Chris Eddy, John Hope, Will Pennyfeather, John Barfield, Rich Aude, Jeff Ware, Glen Davis, Daryl Stawberry, Blaise Ilsler, Pedro Guerrero, Terry Lee, Oil Can Boyd, Daryl Motley,Brian Traxler, Jeff Bittiger, Ozzie Canseco, and Leon Durham)
Future Major Leaguers: Mike Cather, Doug Dascenzo, Jeff Grotewald, J.D. Drew Ken Grundt, Mike Mimbs, Rey Ordonez,Kevin Millar, Dan Peltier, and Daryl Strawberry
NORTHERN LEAGUE ATTENDANCE
1993: 651,452
1994: 910,931
1995: 888,580
1996: 1,052,818
1997: 1,027,513
1998:1,032,922
1999:1,299.156
2000:1,307,063
2001:1,502,815
2002: East(709,343) West(2,451,482)
2003:1,914,614
2004:2,001,268
2005:2,189,151
2006:1,432,330
2007:1,471,697
2008:1,289,212
In the fall of 2005 the possibility of a revival of the American Association was discussed. Teams from two independent leagues, the Northern League and the Central League proposed coming together to form a “super” independent league. Two of the cities in the discussions, St. Paul and Ft. Worth, had been members of the old American Association, and the geography was similar to that of original league. With the history and precedent set by its namesake, the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball Leagues was formed on October 11, 2005. The expectations were strong for the new league, and the name “American Association” was again part of the great history of professional baseball. In 2008, Wichita rejoined the league as an expansion team along with Grand Prairie, TX.
9700 Gateway North Blvd.
El Paso, TX 79924
Telephone:(915)755-2000
FAX:(915)757-0671
info@diablos.com
301 NE Sixth Street
Fort Worth, TX 76164
Telephone:(817) 226-2287
FAX:(817)534-4620
info@fwcats.com
1600 Lone Star Parkway
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
Telephone:(972)504-9383
FAX:(972)504-2288
info@airhogsbaseball.com
403 Line Drive Circle , Suite ALincoln,NE 68508
Telephone:(402) 474-2255
FAX:(402) 474-2254
info@saltdogs.com
4920 North Davis HWY Pensacola, FL 32503
Telephone:(972)504-9383
FAX:(972)504-2288
info@pensacolapelicans.com
1771 Energy Park DriveSt Paul, MN 55108
Telephone:(651)644-3517
FAX:(651)644-1627
funsgood@saintsbaseball.com
2901 Pershing BLVD Shreveport, LA 71109
Telephone:(318)636-5555
FAX:(318)636-5670
info@shreveportsports.com
3400 Line Drive Sioux City, IA 51106
Telephone:(712)277-9467
FAX:(712)277-9406
siouxcityxs@yahoo.com
1001 North West Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Telephone:(605)333-0179
FAX:(605)333-0139
info@canariesbaseball.com
300 South Sycamore Wichitia, KS 67213
Telephone:(316) 264-4625
FAX:(316) 264-3037
info@wichitawingnuts
GAMES:72. ROSTER LIMIT:22. ELIGILIBILITY RULES:
The roster limit for a American Association club is 22 players. An additional two players may be on the disabled list during the regular season. Of those 22 players, a maximum of four may be veterans and minimum of five must be rookies. The remaining players will be designated limited service players and of those LS players only four (4) may be LS-4.
SALARY RANGE: $700-$2,500
Affiliated competition level: Carlina League
Players to Affiliated Baseball: 21
Former Major Leaguers: 2
American Association Attendance
2006:1,298,521
2007:1,318,841
2008:1,506,665
Formed in 2007 comprosed of a travel team and three teams in the Houston and Dallas suburbs, managed to dodge rain drops that plagued the entire season to crown Tarrant County as the league's first champion.53027 Marina Bay Drive, Suite 360
League City, TX 77573
Telephone:(281)768-5979 FAX:
mikepede@bayareatoros.com
PO Box 5765Texarkana, TX 75505
Telephone:903)793-3866 FAX:
mcknight@gunslingersbaseball.com
ALEXANDRIA ACES
1 Babe Ruth Drive Alexandria, LA 71301
Telephone: (800)930-8189 EXT:200 FAX:(888)480-2794
acesbaseball@unitedleague.org
COASTAL KINGFISH
7320 South Sam Houston Parkway East
Houston, TX 77075
Telephone:713-589-2937 x 330 FAX:
coastman14@yahoo.com
BIG BEND COWBOYS
PO Box 745
Alpine,TX 79831
Telephone: (432)837-BOYS FAX:
SOUTH LOUISIANA PIPELINERS
8405 Hwy 182 East
Morgan City, LA 70380
Telephone: (985) 221-5110EXT:600 FAX:
slsportsgroup@aol.com
GAMES:72. ROSTER LIMIT:25. ELIGILIBILITY RULES: none
SALARY RANGE: $1000 Season
Affiliated competition level: Gulf Coast League
Players to Affiliated Baseball: 6
Former Major Leaguers: None
Continental League Attendance
2007:
2008:
 Formed Bud Harrelson and Frank Boulton the Atlantic League finally opened in 1998 after being pushed back twice since 1996. The Atlantic League has been successful in attracting alot of experienced minor league baseball personel in the front office, owners and financial investment. The Atlantic League has decided to go after six-year free agents and players released from Double-A and Triple-A. Boulton said the league will try to meet Triple-A playing standards with 5,000 to 7,500-seat stadiums and $70,000,000 has been allociated to new stadium construction in Atlantic City,NJ; Bridgeport,CT; Lehigh,PA; Long Island,NY; Newark,NJ; and Somerset County,NJ.
LONG ISLAND DUCKS
3 Court House Drive
Central Islip, NY 11772
Telephone:(631) 940-3825 FAX:(631)940-3800
info@liducks .com
CAMDEN RIVERSHARKS
401 North Delaware Ave
Camden, NJ 08102
Telephone: (856)963-2600 FAX:(856)963-8534
riversharks@riversharks.com
BRIDGEPORT BLUEFISH
500 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Telephone: (203) 345-4800 FAX:(203)345-4830
cdowd@bridgeportbluefish.com
45- Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
Telephone: (973) 488-1000 FAX:(973) 621-0095
BearsBaseball@aol.com
650 North Prince Street
Lancaster, PA 17603
Telephone: (717)509-4487 FAX: (717)509-4486
info@lancasterbarnstormers.com
One Patriots Park, Bridgewater,NJ 08807
Telephone: (908)252-0700 FAX:(908)252-0776
mdacosta@somersetpatriots.com
3200 Crain Highway Suite 203, Waldorf, MD 20603
Telephone: (301)638-9788 FAX:(301)638-9877
info@somdbluecrabs.com
5 Brooks Robinson Way, York, PA 17401
Telephone: (717)801-4487 FAX:(717)509-4499
ask@yorkrevolution.com
GAMES:100. ROSTER LIMIT:22. ELIGILIBILITY RULES: none
SALARY RANGE: $700-3000 a month
Affiliated competition level: Eastern League
Players to Affiliated Baseball:
Former Major Leaguers: (Brian Giles,David Huse, Felix Jose, Gerald Young, Terry Mc Griff, Milt Cuyler,Craig Worthington,Luis Aquino, Matt Murray , Dave Fleming , Marshall Boze, Danny Perez , Francisco Oliveras, Mario Diaz and Joe Grahe).
Future Major Leaguers: Milt Cuyler
Atlantic League Attendance
1998:611,677
1999:1,116,997
2000:1,673,751
2001:1,855,450
2002:1,859,059
2003:1,799,729
2004:1,793,238
2005:2,027,231
2006:1,911,052
2007:1,977,113
2008:2,208,734
Formed in 2005, the six team single-ownership league played a 96 -game schedule attempting to fill the independent leagues West Coast void that was left since the Western League disbanded after the 2003 season. The GBL drew an average of 1,300 fans a game and 20 former league players played in the league.
CALGARY VIPERS
2255 Crowchild Trail NW Calgary, Alberta Canada T2M4S7
Telephone: (403)277-2255 FAX:
py@calgaryvipers.com
TUCSON TOROS
2919 E. Broadway, Suite 200
Tucson, AZ 85716
Telephone: (520)322-6989 FAX:
@goldenbaseball.com
CHICO OUTLAWS
555 Main Street Suite 200
Chino, CA 95928
Telephone: (530)345-3210 FAX:
bob@goldenbaseball.com
EDMONTON CRACKERCATS
10233-96 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5KOA5
Telephone: (780)423-2255 FAX:
teaminfo@crackercats.ca
LONG BEACH ARMADA
4720 East Los Coyotes
Long Beach CA 90815
Telephone: (562)434-7161 FAX:
sbash@goldenbaseball.com
ORANGE COUNTRY FLYERS
2461 East Orangethrope, Suite 102
Fullerton, CA 92831
Telephone: (714)526-8326 FAX:
jgurney@orangecountyflyers.com
RENO SILVER SOX
205 Redfield Parkway, Suite 201
Reno, NV 89509
Telephone: (775)348-7769 FAX:
renoinfo@goldenbaseball.com
ST. GEORGE ROAD RUNNERS
216 West St George BLVD Suite A
St. George, UT 84770
Telephone: (435)673-5333 FAX:
rberrygoldenbaseball.com
YUMA SCORPIONS
1280 West Desert Sun Drive
Yuma, AZ 85366
Telephone: (912)257-4700 FAX:
jmatlock@goldenbaseball.com
VICTORIA SEALS
Telephone:(250)480-4487 FAX:
goldenbaseball.com
TIJUANA POTROS
Telephone: FAX:
goldenbaseball.com
GAMES:88. ROSTER LIMIT:22. ELIGIBILITY RULES:
No Miminum number of rookies, age limit of 28 as of Jan.1 unless player has MLB, AAA,AA or former GBL exerience,
SALARY RANGE: $700-3000 a month
Affiliated competition level: South Atlantic League
Players to Affiliated Baseball: 85
Former Major Leaguers: Ricky Henderson, Jose Canseco, Marcus Jensen, Desi Wilson.
GOLDEN LEAGUE ATTENDANCE
2005: 448,405
2006: 369,342
2007:285,665
2008:428,402
 opened in 2005 as the Northeast League disbanded and reformed as the new league over the preceding offseason. The disbanding allowed the league to alter its constitution and restructure, although it returned with six of the seven non-traveling teams from the 2004 schedule. One team, Bangor, announced that it was shutting down just before the season began. The league fielded a travel team, the Grays, in its place.
BROCKTON ROX
One Feinberg, Brockton,MA 02301
Telephone: (508) 559-7000 FAX: (508)587-2802
roxrock@brocktonrox.com
NASHUA PRIDE
67 Amherst Street
Nashua,NH 03064
Telephone: (603)883-2255 FAX: (603)883-0880
info@nashuapride.com
NEW JERSEY JACKALS
One Hall Drive
Little Falls NJ 07424
Telephone: (973)746-7434 FAX: (973)655-8006
info@jackals.com
QUEBEC CITY LES CAPITALS
100 Rueducar Dinal Marice-Roy
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Telephone:(418) 521-2255 FAX:(418) 521-2266
webmaster@capitalesdequebec.com
SUSSEX SKYHAWKS
94 Championship Place Suite 11
Augusta, NJ 07822
Telephone: (973)300-1000 FAX: (973)300-9000
info@sussexskyhawks.com
WORCESTER TORNADOES
303 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01613
Telephone: (508)792-2288 FAX: (508)926-3662
info@worchestertornadoes.com
GAMES:94. ROSTER LIMIT:22. ELIGIBILITY RULES:
Minumum of five first yeat players, maximum of four veterans with at least four years or professional experience.
SALARY RANGE: $700-3000 a month
Affiliated competition level: South Atlantic League
Players to Affiliated Baseball: 40
Former Major Leaguers:
CAN-AM LEAGUE ATTENDANCE
2005: 832,717
2006: 810,031
2007:1,040,107
2008:843,660
 Founded in 1993 mostly in the Ohio Valley the league barely survived it's first season with the Ashland and Wayne County franchises folding during the season. The league played a 68 game schedule for players 18-24 years old with no more than one year professional experience, but was mostly made up of undrafted college players. The Frontier League founder Bud Bicknel was ousted by the remaining team owners and later settled a lawsuit with the owners. Since then the Frontier League has experienced temendendous jump in popularity after moving franchises into Evansville,IN; Kalamazoo,MI Canton,OH; Johnstown,PA; Springfield,IL; and Richmond,IN. Only the Ohio Valley Redcoats and Chillicothe Paints were charter members of the Frontier League. The Frontier League has devoloped a niche for young undrafted players and in 1996 experienced a tremendous jump in the caliber of competition mainly through allowing 3 veterns to participate. The Frontier League added three teams for 1999 with the River City Rascals and the Dubois Red Dragons, Cook County Cheetahs former of the Heartland League. The Ohio Valley Redcoats interest in the Frontier League have been sold to a 20 person ownership group in Huntingburg, Indiana. The new owners are moving the team there and calling them Dubois Red Dragons.
EVANSVILLE OTTERS
P.O. Box 3565
Evansville, Indiana 47734
Telephone: (812) 435-8686 FAX (812) 435-8688
ottersbb@evansville.net
Midwest Sliders
315-130 North Telegraph Road
Summit Place Mall ,Waterford, MI 48328
Telephone: 248-681-0700
FAX: TBA
info@cruisersbaseball.com
Florence Freedom
7950 Freedom Way
Florence, Kentucky 41042
Telephone:(859) 594-4487 FAX: (859) 594-3194
info@florencefreedom.com
Traverse City Beach Bums
333 Stadium Drive
Traverse City, MI 49684
Telephone:((231) 943-0100
FAX: (231) 943-0900
info@traversecitybeachbums.com
GATEWAY GRIZZLIES
2301 Grizzlie Bear BLVD Sauget, IL 62206
Telephone: (618) 337-3000 FAX: (618)332-3625
grizzlies@accessus.net
Lake Erie Crushers
36711 American Way, Suite 4
Avon, OH 44011
Telephone:440-934-3636
FAX: 440-934-2458
rgates@avonprobaseball.com
River City Rascals
900 TR Hughes BLVD
O'Fallon, MO 63366
Telephone: (636) 240-2287 FAX:(636)240-7313
info@rivercityrascals.com
Kalamazoo Kings.
251 Mills Street,
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Telephone:(269) 388-8326 FAX: (269) 388-8333
kalamazookings@kalamazookings.com
14011 S. KentonCrestwood, Il. 60445
Telephone:(708) 489-2255
FAX: (708) 489-2999
info@wcthunderbolts.com
Falconi Field
One Washington Federal Way
Washington, PA 15301
Telephone: (724) 250-9555
FAX: (724) 250-2333
info@washingtonwildthings.com
P.O. Box 1207,Marion, IL 62959
Telephone: (618) 998-8499
FAX: (618) 969-8499
tim@southernillinoisbaseball.com
RiverHawks Stadium,
4503 Interstate Boulevard,
P.O. Box 232,
Loves Park, IL 61111
Telephone: (815)885-2255
FAX: (815) 885-2204
playball@rockfordriverhawks.com
Players to Affiliated Baseball:
Future Major Leaguers: Morgan Burkhart, Brian Tollberg
GAMES: 80 (spilt-season) ROSTER LIMIT: 22-24 ELIGIBILITY RULES: No player may be 27 before June 1, 1998. Maximum of three players with unlimited experience. Maximum of eight players with one year experience. League classifies one year experience as 50 innings pitched or 100 at bats. Minimum of 11 first year players.
SALARY RANGE: $550-1300 a month
Affiliated competition level: Appalachian League
FRONTIER LEAGUE ATTENDANCE
1993: 80,000
1994: 216,228
1995: 316,800
1996: 417,619
1997: 446,401
1998: 428,138
1999:711,736
2000:614,756
2001:719,222
2002:948,383
2003:1,109,360
2004:1,294,711
2005:1,179,989
2006:1,297,111
2007:1,503,220
2008:1,468,977
2001:200,970
 The Heartland league was formed in 1996 with Lafayette and Anderson as the league nucleus and they were joined by Will County, IL and Dubois County, IN. The league played a 60 game schedule with Lafayette taking the championship. In 1997, the league expanded to eight teams with three teams joining from the Big South League and one team from North Atlantic League. The Tupelo Tornado and Huntington Rail Kings have suspend operations during the 1998 season and the Heartland League is once again plauged by low attendance. The Heatland League suspended operations after the Cook County Cheetahs jumped to the Frontier League.
HUNTINGTON RAILKINGS
PO Box 6531, Huntington, WV 25772
Telephone: (304) 429-5046 FAX: 429-5096
railkings@newwave.net
LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS
PO Box 385, Lafayette, IN 47902
Telephone: (765-447-8129 FAX: (765)447-8107
leopards@ncli.com
TENNESSEE TOMAHAWKS
300 Jefferson Street, Winchester, TN 37398
Telephone: (931) 962-4900 FAX: (931) 962-4926
tickets@tntomahawks.com
TUPELO TORNADO
PO Box 601, Booneville, MS 38829
Telephone: (601) 842-2221 FAX:(765)447-8107
tornbase@network-one.com
Players to Affiliated Baseball: 28
Former Major Leaguers: 4 ( John Dopson, Jeff Mc Knight, Charlie Mitchell, and Jeff Mitchell).
GAMES: 78 (split-season) ROSTER LIMIT: 23. ELIGIBILITY RULES: None
SALARY RANGE: $600-2000 a month
Affiliated competition level: NY-Penn League
HEARTLAND LEAGUE ATTENDANCE
1996: 61,385
1997: 211,511
1998: 111,110
 Opened in 1994 by two Texas businessmen Byron Pierce and John Bryant and touted a number of former big leaguers managing and playing. The league owned all of the franchises. The first season was successful except in San Antonia, TX were they faced stiff competition for fans from the Class AA Los Angeles Dodgers Affiliate. The league decided to expand into Pueblo, CO and Laredo, TX but the franchises never developed a fan base and were shut down in the middle of the 1995 season. In 1998, the Texas-Louisana League will field seven teams, including new franchises in Lafayette, LA and a non-league owned team in Greenville, Miss. Now called the Central League.
COASTAL BEND AVIATORS
1150 East Main Ave, Robstown,TX 78380
Telephone: (361) 387-8585 FAX:(361)387-3535
teaminfo@aviatorsbaseball.com
ALEXANDRIA ACES
1 Babe Ruth Dr., Alexandria, LA 71301
Telephone: (318)473-2237 FAX:(318)473-2229
acesbaseball@centurytel.net
AMARILLO DILLAS
501 West 9th St., Amarillo, TX 79101
Telephone: (806) 342-3455 FAX: (806) 374-2269
dillas@txproball.com
EDINBURG ROADRUNNERS
920 North Sugar Road, Edinburg, TX 78539
Telephone: (956) 289-8800 FAX:(956) 289-8833
winstonayala@yahoo.com
FORT WORTH CATS
P.O. Box 4411, Forth Worth, TX 76106
Telephone: (817)226-2287 FAX:(817)534-4620
marty.scott@fwcats.com
Jackson Senators
P.O. Box 4934, Jackson, MS 39296
Telephone: (601) 362-2294 FAX:(601) 362-9577
info@jacksonsenators.com
RIO GRANDE VALLEY WHITEWINGS
1216 Fair Park BLVD, Harlingen, TX 78550
Telephone: (956)412-9464 FAX:(956)412-9479
grandslam2425@yahoo.com
SAN ANGELO COLTS
1600 University Ave, San Angelo, TX 76904
Telephone: (915)942-6587 FAX:(915)947-9480
colts@wcc.net
SHREVEPORT SPORTS
2901 Pershing BLVD, Shreveport, LA 71109
Telephone: (318)636-5555 FAX:(318)636-5670
bviselli@shreveportsports.com
P.O. 1472 Ozark, MO 65721
Telephone: (417)581-2868 FAX:(417)581-8342
info@mountainducksbaseball.com
GAMES: 84 .ROSTER LIMIT:23. ELIGIBILITY RULES:none
SALARY RANGE: $700-2000 a month
Affiliated Competition level: Midwest League
Players to Affiliated Baseball:
Former Major Leaguers: (Mark Bailey, Mike Bell, Frank Bolick, Rod Brewer, Kevin Brown, Greg Brummett, Todd Burns, Don Carman, Larry Carter, Frank DiPino, Gary Eave, Mike Felder, Curt Ford, Jerry Goff, Gary Green, David Haas, Donald Harris, Eric Hetzel, Shawn Hillegas, Jessie Hollins, Brad Holman, Ron Jones, Kevin King, Bill Landrum, Titi Landrum, Tony Mack, Rob Mallicoat, Kelly Mann, Lonnie Maclin, Jose Musset, Robert Moore, Jamie Nelson, Randy O'Neal, Al Osuna, Clay Parker, Ken Patterson, Doug Piatt, Nicko Riesgo, Alex Sanchez, Doug Simons, Ron Witmeyer, Eric Yelding)
Future Major Leaguers: (Al Osuna,Frank Bolick, Todd Rizzo)
TEXAS-LOUISANA LEAGUE ATTENDANCE
1994: 600,000
1995: 680,725
1996: 502,305
1997: 479,350
1998:530,734
1999:561,360
2000:753,120
2001:643,551
2002:756,781
GREAT CENTRAL LEAGUE : opened in 1994 in Minneapolis, Mason City, Iowa; Champaign-Urbana,Ill; and Lafayette, IN. The troubles began shortly after mid-season in the 72 game schedule, when various players stopped getting paid. Some players and coaches stuck around and tried to play out the season anyways, selling T-shirts and taking donations of food and money to keep the league aflot. But the bills began to mount and League President Richard Jacobson who owned all four teams decided to call it quits in August.
GOLDEN STATE LEAGUE: The league spent a good deal of time planning the league, but was not able to raise sufficient capital nor were they able to draw the crowds they had projected. The Golden State League also had the additional finacial burden of trying to upgrade the high school facilties it planned to play on. The league reduced the projected teams from 8 to 6 then 4 and losts a major investor before the season started. The league opened in June 1995, but lasted only a week.
ATLANTIC COAST LEAGUE: opened during the month of June 1995 in Gastonia, NC; Spartanburg,SC,Greenwood, SC and Florence, SC. The League President Patrick Gaffney said the league needed to draw 800 fans a game to break even and never came close. Players started to leave the league when their checks started bouncing. The Atlantic Coast League suspend operations after three weeks citing miscalcuculating expenses, attendance, bad weather and mounting losses of $50,000 a week.
NORTH CENTRAL LEAGUE: opened in 1994 and founded by George Vedder after he had a falling out with the league officials of the Northern League and decided to create his own league. By the end of 1994, two teams Marshal amd Huron had folded, while three others had jumped to the new Praire League. With hastily assembled replacements, the league was never able to keep up with expenses and it folded in mid July 1995 with a trail of bounced checks and huge sums owed to players and managers.
NORTH CENTRAL LEAGUE ATTENDANCE
1994: 176,318
MID AMERICAN LEAGUE: Opened in 1995 and had many of the same principals of the Great Central League including Richard Jacobsen who owned one of the franchises. The 4 team league was plauged by low attendance and only three teams finished the season without any playoffs.
MID- AMERICAN LEAGUE ATTENDANCE
1995: 43,998
 : The league opened in 1995 with four teams in Wellend, Ontario; Newark, NY; Niagara Nalls, NY and Nashua, NH. The NABL was hampered by low attendance the first year drawing less than 50,000 fans for all four teams. Things improved in 1996 with strong franchises in Lynn, Altoona, and Catskill. But massive problems existed in Wellend with the team averaging less than 200 fans a game and the Nashua franchise folded in August, after pilling up massive debts to the city and players. The Catskill Cougars and Massachusetts Mad Dogs left for the Northeast League. With two other franchises folding, the Altoona Rail Kings jumped to the Heartland League. With just the Newark team remaining league president Edward Broidy suspended operations in 1997.
NORTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE ATTENDANCE
1995: 59,395
1996: 146,429
BIG SOUTH LEAGUE: opened in 1996 with a strong showing in Tennesse drawing 57,000 fans and the remaining 5 teams averaging 31,000 fans. In 1997 the Clarksville Coyotes; Tennessee Tomahawks and Columbia Mules all jumped to the Heartland League. The league struggled to put four teams on the field in 1997 with just the Meridan and Greenville frachises returning. The Tullahoma franchise had to be taken over by the league and play all its games on the road.
BIG SOUTH LEAGUE ATTENDANCE
1996: 237,166
1997: 75,546
 Opened in 1995 with teams in Bend,OR; Gray Habor,WA; Surrey,B.C.; Tri-City,WA; Long Beach,CA; Palm Springs,CA; Salinas,CA; and Sonoma County, CA. The Long Beach team had to file for bankruptcy in the middle of the season , but the team was sold to a group of new owners including Heather Locklear and made a strong rebound on the field and the gate to take home the Western League title. Cuban Defector Ariel Prieto pitched in the Western League before becoming a 1st round draft pick of the Oakland A's and going straight to the Major Leagues. The expansion Chico Heat set league records for attendance in 1997 and won the Western League title. The Grays Harbor Gulls ownership have suspended operations during the 1998 season,citing financial difficulties. The Western League has taken over operations and the team should finish out the season.
SACRAMENTO STEELHEADS
2527 J Street Sacramento, CA 95816
Telephone: (916)447-9464 FAX: (916) 448-3517
ST. GEORGE PIONEERS
1249 East 100 South #16B, St. George, UT 84790
Telephone: (435) 656-9000 FAX: (435) 628-8389
CHICO HEAT
PO Box 5362, Chico, CA 95927
Telephone: (530)343-4328 FAX: (530)894-1799
brianc@chicoheat.com
LONG BEACH BREAKERS
4700 Deukmejian Drive, Long Beach, CA 90804
Telephone:(562) 987-4487 FAX:(562)570-1737
RENO CHUKARS
240 W. Moana Lane, Reno,NV 89509
Telephone: (702)829-7890 FAX:(702)829-7895
info@renochukars.com
FEATHER RIVER FURY
904 B Street, Marysville, CA 95901
Telephone: (530)741-3600 FAX: (530)741-3087
info@frfury.com
SONOMA COUNTY CRUSHERS
5900 Labath Ave, Rohnert Park,CA 94928
Telephone: (707)588-8300 FAX: (707)588-8721
VALLEY VIPERS
7408 East Osborn Road,Scottsdale,AZ 85251
Telephone: (602)407-6628 FAX: (212)496-5685
YUMA BULLFROGS
1280 Desert Sun Drive,PO Box 4668, Yuma, AZ 85366
Telephone: (520)782-3536 FAX: (520)782-3911
Players to Affiliated Baseball: 36.
Former Major Leaguers: 12 ( Bob Ayrault, Bret Barberie, Mike Hartley, Mike York, Jeremy Hernandez, Nelson Simmons, Freddie Toliver Jeremy Hernandez, Steve Hosey, Charlie Kerfeld, Rafael Novoa, Jeremy Hernandez,Nelson Simmons,Freddie Toliver, and Wally Ritchie).
Future Major Leaguers: Ariel Prieto
GAMES: 90. ROSTER: 22. ELIGIBILITY RULES: Maximum 6 veterns-(players with four or more years of professional experience. Minimum 5 Rookies-( players with no professional experience)
SALARY RANGE:$700-2000 a month
Affiliated competition level: Midwest league
WESTERN LEAGUE ATTENDANCE
1995: 549,399
1996: 483,259
1997: 617,684
1998: 481,521
1999: 505,691
2000:620,875
2001:481,995
2002:393,366
 : Opened in eight cities in 1995 spanning South Dakota, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan with three teams coming over from the North Central League. The Canadian Division was composed of the Brandon Grey Owls, Moose Jaw Diamond Dogs, Regina Cyclones, and Saskatoon Riot. The American Division was composed of the Aberdeen Pheasants, Dakota Rattlers, Minneapolis Loons, and Minot Mallards. Regina defeated Aberdeen to take home the first Prairie League Championship.
The 1996 season brought 3 more teams into the Prairie League with the addition of the Green Bay Sultans, Grand Forks Varmits and the Brainerd Bobcats. The Minneapolis Loons relocated to Austin Minnesota and were renamed the Southern Minny Stars. The Brainerd Bobcats were shut down after two weeks after not being able to pay it's bills. The Minot Mallards defeated the Grand Fork Varmits in four games to take the championship.
The 1997 season opened the season with eight teams , but had massive troubles throughout the season. The Moose Jaw Diamond Dogs suspended operations after the players refused to go on a ten day road trip after not being paid. The Aberdeen Pheasants were shut down for two days by the league for failure to pay the leagues annual dues of $15,000. Bills started to pill up with the umpires not getting paid and checks starting to bounce. With the Prairie League $27,000 in debt and several franchises owning much more locally, League President Dave Ferguson decided to suspend operations.
PRAIRIE LEAGUE ATTENDANCE
1995: 320,131
1996: 313,490
1997: 213,831
 opened in 1995 with entries in Albany, Glens Falls, Mountaindale, Newburgh, Yonkers, and Little Falls,all the teams in New York State. In 1996 the league moved franchises into Bangor, Maine and West Warwick, Rhode Island. The 1997 season brought tremendous growth to the Northeast League with the addition of the Massachusetts Mad Dogs and the Catskill Coougars from the North Atlantic League and moved the West Warwick and Newburgh franchises into Waterbury, Ct. and Allentown, PA. The Elmira Pioneers took home the championship and over 400,000 fans passed through the Northeast League turnstiles. The Northeast League has joined the Northern League in 1999 and ended their partnership after the 2002 season.
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The league will field eight teams for the 2003 season, despite talk of expanding to 10 teams. The Adirondack franchise moves to Bangor, Maine, while the new North Shore Spirit (Lynn, Mass.) will also join the league. Albany-Colonie will not field a team in 2003.
BANGOR LUMBERJACKS
663 Stillwater Ave, Bangor, ME 04401
Telephone: (207)947-1900 FAX: (207)947-9900
info@bangorlumberjacks.com
BERKSHIRE BLACK BEARS
2 South Street Suite 120, Pittsfield,MA 01201
Telephone: (413) 448-2255 FAX: (413)445-5500
info@berkshireblackbears.com
ALLENTOWN AMBASSADORS
1511-25 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18102
Telephone: (610)437-6800 FAX: (610)437-6804
info@ambassadorbaseball.com
ELMIRA PIONEERS
546 Luce Street, Elmira, NY 14901
Telephone: (607)734-1270 FAX: (607)734-0891
pioneers@elmirapioneers.com
NEW JERSEY JACKALS
PO Box 3367, Montclair, NJ 07043
Telephone: (973)244-4395 FAX: (973)244-4280
njjackals@aol.com
QUEBEC CITY LES CAPITALS
100 Rueducar Dinal Marice-Roy
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Telephone:(418) 521-2255 FAX:(418) 521-2266
webmaster@capitalesdequebec.com
NORTH SHORE SPIRIT
PO Box 8120, Lynn, MA 01904
Telephone: (781)592-0007 FAX: (781)592-0004
info@northshorespirit.com
GAMES:84. ROSTER LIMIT:22. ELIGIBILITY RULES: NONE
SALARY RANGE: $700-2000 a month
Affiliated competition level: South Atlantic League
Players to Affiliated Baseball: 75
Former Major Leaguers: 11 (Bob Zupcic, Kerwin Moore,Frank Euphemia, Floyd Youmans, John Cerutii, Hipolito Pena, Tony Mitchell, Ravelo Manzanillo Denis Boucher, George Tsamis, Doug Piatt, Les Lancaster, Jarvis Brown, Andy Carter, Jeff Mutis, Dave LaPoint and Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd)
NORTHEAST LEAGUE ATTENDANCE
1995: 185,471
1996: 240,116
1997: 432,910
1998:580,006
1999:1,238,217
2000:625,508
2001:591,460
2002:709,343
2003:662,042
2004:756,900
Opened in 1994 by two Texas businessmen Byron Pierce and John Bryant and touted a number of former big leaguers managing and playing. The league owned all of the franchises. The first season was successful except in San Antonia, TX were they faced stiff competition for fans from the Class AA Los Angeles Dodgers Affiliate. The league decided to expand into Pueblo, CO and Laredo, TX but the franchises never developed a fan base and were shut down in the middle of the 1995 season. In 1998, the Texas-Louisana League will field seven teams, including new franchises in Lafayette, LA and a non-league owned team in Greenville, Miss. Now called the Central League.
COASTAL BEND AVIATORS
1150 East Main Ave, Robstown,TX 78380
Telephone: (361) 387-8585 FAX:(361)387-3535
teaminfo@aviatorsbaseball.com
ALEXANDRIA ACES
1 Babe Ruth Dr., Alexandria, LA 71301
Telephone: (318)473-2237 FAX:(318)473-2229
acesbaseball@centurytel.net
AMARILLO DILLAS
501 West 9th St., Amarillo, TX 79101
Telephone: (806) 342-3455 FAX: (806) 374-2269
dillas@txproball.com
EDINBURG ROADRUNNERS
920 North Sugar Road, Edinburg, TX 78539
Telephone: (956) 289-8800 FAX:(956) 289-8833
winstonayala@yahoo.com
FORT WORTH CATS
P.O. Box 4411, Forth Worth, TX 76106
Telephone: (817)226-2287 FAX:(817)534-4620
marty.scott@fwcats.com
Jackson Senators
P.O. Box 4934, Jackson, MS 39296
Telephone: (601) 362-2294 FAX:(601) 362-9577
info@jacksonsenators.com
RIO GRANDE VALLEY WHITEWINGS
1216 Fair Park BLVD, Harlingen, TX 78550
Telephone: (956)412-9464 FAX:(956)412-9479
grandslam2425@yahoo.com
SAN ANGELO COLTS
1600 University Ave, San Angelo, TX 76904
Telephone: (915)942-6587 FAX:(915)947-9480
colts@wcc.net
SHREVEPORT SPORTS
2901 Pershing BLVD, Shreveport, LA 71109
Telephone: (318)636-5555 FAX:(318)636-5670
bviselli@shreveportsports.com
SPRINGFIELD /OZARK MOUNTAIN DUCKS
P.O. 1472 Ozark, MO 65721
Telephone: (417)581-2868 FAX:(417)581-8342
info@mountainducksbaseball.com
GAMES: 84 .ROSTER LIMIT:23. ELIGIBILITY RULES:none
SALARY RANGE: $700-2000 a month
Affiliated Competition level: Midwest League
Players to Affiliated Baseball:
Former Major Leaguers:
Future Major Leaguers: Texas-Louisana League
2003: 890,873
2004: 713,318
2005:837,492
STRANGE BUT TRUE INDEPENDENT STORIES:
The St. Paul Saints going head to head with the Minnesota Twins have often drawn greater attendance.
Atlanta Braves reliever Kerry Lightenberg contract was purchased from the Minneaplois Loons (Praire League) for 6 dozen bats and two dozen baseballs.
North Atlantic League president Edward Broidy ordered teams to return broken bats as defective merchadise.
Andre Keene (Big South League)was traded for cash and a Muddy Waters album.
Danny Almontee (Canadian Baseball League) was selected in the Canadian Baseball League draft. Almontee has pitched in the Little League World Series the year before despite being 14 at the time.
Pedro Guerrero (Northern League) flew to all his games while the rest of the team took the bus.
Ruben Davila (Texas-LA League) while out on bond for conspiracy to transport 350 pounds of Marijuana pitched for Corpus Christi (0-0, 6.75 ERA).
Pacific Suns (Western League) Pitcher Ken Krahenbuhl was traded to the Texas Lousiana League Greensville Bluesman for cash, an un-named future player, and 10 pounds of catfish.
BEST RECORD OF THE INDEPENDENT LEAGUES
Aberdeen Pheasants (Prairie League 1995) 56-13 (.812)
Ohio Valley Redcoats (Frontier League 1994) 50-17 (.746)
Albany Diamond Dogs (Northeast League 1995)52-18 (.743)
Mass. Mad Dogs (North Atlantic League 1996)56-21 (.718)
Aberdeen Pheasants (Prairie League 1996)54-24 (.692)
WORST RECORD OF THE INDEPENDENT LEAGUES
Tennessee Walkers (Big South League 1996) 8-52 (.113)
Yonkers Hoot Owls (Northeast League 1995) 12-52 (.188)
Rhode Island Tigersharks (Northeast League 1996) 19-60 (.241)
Duluth-Superior Dukes (Northern League 1994) 19-60 (.240)
Catskill Cougars (Northeast League 1997) 21-62 (.253)
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