The Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs was an independent baseball league based in Northern California. The league was founded in 2013 by four former North American League teams.

History

During the initial season, two Hawaii-based teams, the Hawaii Stars and the Maui Warriors, played inter-league games against the Baseball Challenge League of Japan; California teams played against the Freedom Pro League of Arizona.

Both Hawaii teams ceased operations after playing the 2013 season citing high travel costs of bringing in opponents from Northern California. The East Bay Lumberjacks also did not return for a second season.

Two expansion clubs were added in 2014, (the Sonoma Stompers and Pittsburg Mettle) bringing the total number of teams to four.

In 2017, San Francisco businessman and entrepreneur Jonathan Stone was named league commissioner.

Expansion came again in 2018, with the addition of the Martinez Clippers and Napa Silverados. This brought the league to an all-time high of six member clubs.

Before the 2019 season the league lost two teams, Martinez and Pittsburg, which both folded. The Salina Stockade were added to the league for 2019 as a travel team.

Prior to the 2020 season, San Rafael left the league for the Pecos League. The California Dogecoin was listed as an expansion team on the league website, but after the season was postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic were removed without having played a game. The 2020 season was officially cancelled on July 17, 2020. Later, the California Dogecoin formed the Liberation Professional Baseball League.

The Sonoma Stompers announced in October 2021 their intentions to join the California Collegiate League for 2022.

With no new news from the league's website and social media after the 2020 season cancellation, it is believed that the league has indeed folded.

Teams

Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs
TeamFoundedCityStadiumCapacityNotes
East Bay Lumberjacks2013Concord, CaliforniaLaney College250Travel team with limited home games. Did not return after 2013 season.
Hawaii Stars2012Hilo, HawaiiWong Stadium2,500Charter member, had previously played in North American Baseball League in 2012. Folded after the 2013 season.
Martinez Clippers2018Martinez, CaliforniaJoe DiMaggio Fields at Waterfront Park500Folded after the 2018 season.
Na Koa Ikaika Maui2010Maui, HawaiiMaehara Stadium1,500Charter member, had previously played in the Golden Baseball League (2010) and North American Baseball League (2011–12). First-ever PACA champions, folded after the 2013 season.
Napa Silverados2017Napa, CaliforniaMiner Family Field600Folded after 2019 season.
Pittsburg Diamonds2013Pittsburg, CaliforniaWinter Chevrolet Stadium1,000Originally named the Pittsburg Mettle, the club changed their name to the Diamonds in 2015. Folded prior to the 2019 season.
Salina Stockade2016Salina, KansasN/AN/ATravel team with zero home games. Previously played in Pecos League (2016), American Association of Professional Baseball (2017), Can-Am League (2018), since moved back into Pecos league in (2020–21).
San Rafael Pacifics2011San Rafael, CaliforniaAlbert Park1,200Charter member, previously played in North American Baseball League in 2012. Only four-time PACA champion, have since moved to the Pecos League in 2020.
Sonoma Stompers2014Sonoma, CaliforniaArnold Field1,500Moved to the California Collegiate League in 2021.
Vallejo Admirals2013Vallejo, CaliforniaWilson Park500Charter team, folded after 2019 season.

Teams that never played

  • California Dogecoin of Fairfield, California – were to have played in the 2020 season, but instead played in the Liberation Professional Baseball League due to the Pacific Association postponing the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

League timeline

League members Former Team

Champions

Season1st Half Winner2nd Half WinnerLeague ChampionPlayoff Game Result
2013Na Koa Ikaika MauiSan Rafael PacificsNa Koa Ikaika Maui6–1
2014San Rafael PacificsSan Rafael PacificsSan Rafael Pacificsnone
2015Sonoma StompersSan Rafael PacificsSan Rafael Pacifics4–3
2016Sonoma StompersSonoma StompersSonoma Stompersnone
2017Sonoma StompersVallejo AdmiralsVallejo Admirals11–8
Regular season winnerRecordPlayoff ChampionPlayoff Result
2018Sonoma Stompers57–23San Rafael Pacifics6–0
2019Sonoma Stompers45–19San Rafael Pacifics2–1 (best of three)

Awards

SeasonLeague MVPPitcher of the YearReliever of the YearRookie of the YearManager of the YearExecutive of the Year
2014Jayce Ray, SonomaPatrick Conroy, San RafaelColin Allen, San RafaelJordan Hinshaw, VallejoGarry Templeton II, Vallejonone
2015Matt Chavez, San RafaelMax Beatty, San RafaelSean Conroy, SonomaMark Hurley, SonomaAaron Miles, PittsburgMike Shaprio, San Rafael
2016Joel Carranza, SonomaPatrick Conroy, San RafaelJR Bunda, San RafaelMarquis Hutchinson, VallejoTakashi Miyoshi, SonomaTheo Fightmaster, Sonoma
2017Tillman Pugh, VallejoTyler Garkow, SonomaSammy Gervacio, VallejoMichael Rizzitello, San RafaelP. J. Phillips, Vallejo Takashi Miyoshi, SonomaKevin Reilly, Vallejo
2018Javion Randle, San RafaelJared Koenig, San RafaelJacob Cox, SonomaKenny Meimerstorf, SonomaZack Pace, SonomaBrett Creamer, Sonoma
2019Raúl Navarro, San RafaelDakota Freese, VallejoJailen Peguero, San Rafael Ryan Richardson, SonomaZane Gelphman, Salina/San RafaelZack Pace, SonomaBrett Creamer, Sonoma

Players who advanced to Major League Baseball

External links