Instead of the Can-Am League fielding a travel team for 2015, three different sets of opponents will fill gaps in the independent league’s schedule.
When the Sussex County Miners were added to the Can-Am League for 2015, we reported that no travel team would be fielded by the circuit. Instead, the league will play three different baseball organizations in the 2015 season.
From June 9-28, an all-star team from the Shikoku Island League, Japan’s top independent league, will play one series against each of the regular Can-Am League members, for a total of 17 games. The Shikoku Island League will pause its regular season to bring its best players to face the Can-Am League. “This is tremendously exciting for our league to be able to host an international showcase series during the regular season,” said league president Miles Wolff. “We look forward to the potential of more interleague play with the Shikoku Island League and other international teams in future years.”
The Garden State Grays will face Can-Am League clubs beginning on June 29 until the end of the season on September 7. The Grays are headed by Jay Acton and Eric Pierzchala, former executives with the independent New York State League. Pierzchala will serve as field manager. The draft of college players by Major League Baseball will have concluded, and the Grays’ goal is to obtain some of the top talent that has been passed over in the draft, along with experienced major- and minor-league veterans. Both the Shikoku All-Stars’ and Garden State Grays’ records will count separately in the league’s standings, and their statistics will be part of league records.
In addition, the Can-Am League will enter its fourth season of interleague play with the American Association, with clubs playing a total of 100 games against American Association opponents. Can-Am League teams will face as many as 13 opponents this season, and league officials expect strong interest.