Although it has been dealing with a few challenges, the independent Pacific Association is expected to return for the 2020 season.
The Pacific Association fielded five teams in 2019, after two clubs–the Martinez Clippers and Pittsburg Diamonds–went dark following the 2018 season. Since the 2019 season concluded, the San Rafael Pacifics–last season’s league champions–have announced that they are not returning to the league in 2020, while Martinez has moved forward with a plan to have an independent Pecos League team occupy the former home of the Clippers, even though the Pacific Association had hoped to return there.
Despite those issues, the Pacific Association is preparing for the 2020 season. As it stands, the league has four teams lined up for 2020, with the Napa Silverados, Sonoma Stompers, and Vallejo Admirals returning from the 2019 campaign. They will be joined by the expansion California Dogecoin, a club slated to play home games in Fairfield. More from the Vallejo Times-Herald:
As of December, the Pacific Association is expected to have Vallejo, Sonoma, Napa and Fairfield, [Vallejo Admirals owner Kevin] Reilly said.
The San Rafael Pacifics, last season’s league champ and arguably the circuit’s most successful franchise, are not expected to be part of the league, Reilly and league commissioner Jonathan Stone confirmed. The Pacifics were sold to Gabriel Suarez in 2019 after being headed by Redwood Sports and Entertainment.
Fairfield would be a new franchise and ideally play about 20 games at Laurel Creek Park, which is run by the Fairfield Expos American Legion team.
The Pacific Association’s 2019 lineup featured five teams, including the trio of clubs planning to return in 2020, San Rafael, and the Salina Stockade, who played as a travel team.