News Summary
The Long Beach City Council has passed a resolution to establish Blair Field as the home of a new independent baseball team, aiming for its inaugural season in 2026. This new team will join the Pioneer Baseball League, marking the return of professional baseball to Long Beach after the city’s last team disbanded in 2009. City officials are focused on enhancing community engagement and stimulating the local economy through this initiative while addressing potential impacts on noise and traffic. The ownership group includes experienced figures in independent baseball, promising an exciting future for sports in the city.
Long Beach is taking significant steps towards welcoming a new minor league baseball team at Blair Field, following a unanimous resolution passed by the Long Beach City Council on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. The resolution mandates city staff to work closely with California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), and the Long Beach Baseball Club (LBBC) to establish Blair Field as the home base for a new independent professional baseball team, aiming to kick off its inaugural season in 2026.
The proposed team is set to join the Pioneer Baseball League, which operates independently but has an affiliation as a Partner League with Major League Baseball (MLB). Founded in 1939, the league currently features 12 teams spread across California, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Utah.
Mayor Rex Richardson outlined the initiative’s multiple goals, which include creating a family-friendly atmosphere, stimulating the local economy, and enhancing community engagement. The return of professional baseball to Long Beach is particularly notable, as the city’s last team, the Long Beach Armada, ceased operations in 2009. Historical context shows that the city has hosted other minor league teams, such as the Barracuda (later renamed the Riptide) from 1995 to 1996 and the Breakers from 2001 to 2003.
Blair Field, which opened its doors in 1956, last saw renovations in 2009, during which it received a lighting upgrade and a new electronic scoreboard. The recent approval by the city council includes plans for further improvements, such as upgrades to locker rooms, enhancements to the outfield, and ensuring long-term maintenance of the facility. These improvements are meant to enhance fan experiences by introducing modern amenities, effective branding, and sponsorship initiatives.
The primary tenant of Blair Field, the Long Beach State baseball team—affectionately known as the Dirtbags—has attracted the highest attendance in the Big West Conference over the past season. The introduction of a new team at Blair Field would bring the total number of franchises in the Pioneer Baseball League to 13. This new franchise is completely based on the West Coast, further solidifying the region’s presence in independent baseball.
The ownership group for the new team includes Paul Freedman, co-founder of the Oakland Ballers, a successful independent league team. Freedman has expressed his views on the similarities between Long Beach and Oakland, particularly regarding their community-focused approach to baseball.
City officials have also indicated attention to potential increases in noise and traffic that may arise with the implementation of this new professional baseball program. There is an ongoing focus on creating a robust partnership that respects CSULB’s baseball schedule while ensuring public access to Blair Field. Discussions have been underway with stakeholders about the anticipated benefits of the baseball team for the local neighborhood.
In a separate but notable incident, a baseball coach from Cabrillo High School, Gabriel Vigil, was recently arrested in connection with allegations of sexual assault against a student. It is crucial to note that this incident is unrelated to the proposed development of the baseball team at Blair Field.
This new initiative to bring professional baseball back to Long Beach marks a significant chapter for the city as it seeks to revive an essential part of its sports history while also focusing on community engagement and local economic growth. With plans already in motion, the city is optimistic about the return of minor league baseball and the enthusiasm it will generate among local residents.
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Additional Resources
- CBS News: Long Beach Moves Forward with Plans for Minor League Baseball
- Wikipedia: Minor League Baseball
- Los Angeles Times: Minor League Baseball Could be Coming to Long Beach
- Google Search: Minor League Baseball Long Beach
- Long Beach Post: City Council OKs Minor League Baseball for Long Beach
- Google Scholar: Minor League Baseball
- FOX LA: Long Beach Minor Baseball League
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- LAist: Long Beach Wants Another Minor League Baseball Team
- Google News: Long Beach Minor League Baseball
Author: Anaheim Staff Writer
Anaheim Staff Writer The Anaheim Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREAnaheim.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Anaheim, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as major conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, including NAMM and VidCon, exciting games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center, and developments at Disneyland Resort Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim, plus leading businesses in hospitality, entertainment, and innovation that power the local economy As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
