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The California League is a minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth step between Rookie ball and the major leagues. Although Minor League Baseball, the umbrella organization for minor leagues that are affiliated with Major League Baseball, has eliminated the distinction between High-A and other full-season A leagues, most major-league teams still use such leagues as a standard promotion step. A few draftees, generally early-round draftees with college experience, will be assigned to a High-A team upon signing a professional contract, but generally players will not arrive at this level until their third or fourth year of professional play.
The league was founded in 1941, and contained teams in Anaheim, Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Stockton. The following year, as a result of World War II, the league dropped to four teams, then ceased operations altogether. It came back in 1946, adding teams in Visalia, San Jose and Ventura by 1947. Reno, Nevada joined the league in 1955 and continued as a member for 37 years.
All of the current teams are playing in stadiums that have been built or extensively renovated since 1990. League attendance continues to increase each season, with over one million fans attending games per year. The league is divided into a North Division and a South Division.
[edit] Current Member Teams and Stadiums
[edit] Champions:
[edit] Complete team list (1941-42, 1946-present)
- Anaheim Aces (1941)
- Bakersfield Dodgers (1941-42, 1946-75, as Baskersfield Badgers in 1941-42; as Bakersfield Indians in 1946-55; as Bakersfield Boosters in 1956; as Bakersfield Bears in 1957-67)
- Bakersfield Outlaws (1978-79)
- Bakersfield Blaze (1982-present, as Bakersfield Mariners in 1982-83; as Bakersfield Dodgers in 1984-94), team merged with San Bernardino Spirit 1995.
- Fresno Cardinals (1941-42)
- High Desert Mavericks (1982-present, as Salinas Spurs 1982-87; as Riverside Red Wave in 1988-90)
- Inland Empire 66ers (1941-42, 1946-present, as Fresno Cardinals in 1941-42, 1946-56; as Fresno Sun Sox in 1957; as Fresno Giants in 1958-87; as Fresno Suns in 1988; as Salinas Spurs in 1989-92; as San Bernardino Spirit in 1993-95; as San Bernardino Stampede in 1996-02)
- Lake Elsinore Storm (1979-present, as Santa Clara Padres in 1979; as Redwood Pioneers in 1980-85; as Palm Springs Angels in 1986-93)
- Lancaster Jethawks (1966-present, as Reno Silver Sox in 1966-81; as Reno Padres in 1982-87; as Reno Silver Sox in 1988-92; as Riverside Pilots in 1993-95)
- Las Vegas Wranglers (1947-58, as San Jose Red Sox in 1947-55; as San Jose JoSox in 1956-57; as San Jose Pirates in 1958; moved to Las Vegas during 1958 season)
- Long Beach Angels (1962-66), as Santa Barbara Angels (1968-71), as Santa Clara Angels (1972-75) and as Salinas Angels (1976-80).
- Merced Bears (1941)
- Modesto Colts (1946-64, as Modesto Reds in 1946-61), folded by 1962.
- Modesto Nuts (1946-present, as Modesto Reds in 1946-61; as Modesto Yankees 1962-69, as Modesto Cardinals 1970-74 and Modesto A's in 1975-04)
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- Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (1966-present, as Lodi Crushers in 1966-69; as Lodi Padres in 1970-71; as Lodi Orions in 1972; as Lodi Lions in 1973; as Lodi Orioles 1974-75; as Lodi Dodgers in 1976-83; as Lodi Crushers in 1984; as Ventura County Gulls in 1986; as San Bernardino Spirit in 1987-92)
- Reno Silver Sox (1947-64, as Ventura Yankees in 1947-49; as Ventura Braves in 1950-52; as Ventura Oilers in 1953; as Channel Cities Oilers in 1954-55; moved to Reno during 1955 season; as Reno Oilers in 1955; became Reno Silver Sox during 1955 season)
- Riverside Reds (1941)
- Salinas Packers (1941-42, 1946-1958, as Santa Barbara Saints in 1941-42; as Santa Barbara Dodgers in 1946-53)
- Salinas Indians (1946-65, as Visalia Cubs in 1946-56; as Visalia Redlegs in 1957-59; as Visalia A's in 1960-61; as Visalia White Sox in 1962, as Salinas Mets in 1963-64)
- Salinas Angels (1946-80, as Stockton Ports in 1946-72; as Salinas Packers in 1973-75), team merged with Salinas Angels 1976.
- San Bernardino Stars (1941)
- San Jose Mariners (1976-78)
- San Jose Owls (1942)
- San Jose Giants (1979-present, as San Jose Missions in 1979-81; as San Jose Expos in 1982; as San Jose Bees in 1983-87)
- Stockton Flyers (1941)
- Stockton Ports (1978-present, as Stockton Mariners in 1978; as Stockton Ports in 1979-99; as Mudville Nine in 2000-01)
- Visalia Mets (1962-75, as Santa Barbara Rancheros in 1962-63; as Santa Barbara Dodgers in 1964-67)
- Visalia Oaks (1962-present, as San Jose Bees in 1962-76; as Visalia Oaks in 1977-92; as Central Valley Rockies in 1993-94)
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[edit] See also
[edit] External link
United States
