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Smock first commissioner of AWBL

Yuma PanthersThe folks at the American West Baseball League are moving fast, naming Sean Smock as the independent circuit’s first commissioner.

Smock is a veteran of the Golden Baseball League, one of the predecessors to the North American League and where the AWBL owners have roots. Smock first worked for the Tucson Sidewinders (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) as an assistant general manager starting in 2003 and then helped launch the Tucson Toros of the Independent Golden Baseball League (GBL), serving as the team’s general manager.

“We are very pleased to welcome Smock to the Management Team of American West Baseball League and view his appointment as being very positive for the league as well as Godfather Media, Inc. and our shareholders,” said Godfather Media Chairman Michael Cummings in a press release. “Smock’s desire to participate in the formation of American West Baseball League combined with his successful experience in business and sports makes him especially well suited to join our team.”

The league is slated to launch for the 2013 season.

So far there are only two teams in the new circuit, unveiled yesterday: the Yuma Panthers and the Orange County Flyers. A press release says “AWBL has franchisees signed, in discussion or identified” in San DiegoPalm SpringsMesa,Long BeachIrvine and Henderson. Many of these areas were first eyed by the North American League; at one point a Henderson team was envisioned for this season, and Golden Baseball League teams played in San Diego, Mesa and Long Beach.

RELATED STORIES: Godfather Media launches new indy leagueYuma, OC out of NAL; two replacements in the worksFullerton Flyers returning in 2012?Fullerton, Flyers enter exclusive negotiating period for new ballparkMore on Fullerton ballpark proposal; Diamond Sports walks away from North American League managementNorth American League at 10 teams for 2012Chico Outlaws season scrappedEdmonton out of North American LeagueOutlaws negotiating return to Chico in 2012; Abilene in NAL

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