The Mavericks Independent Baseball League is an Independent baseball league[1] based in Keizer, Oregon, founded in 2021.[2][3] Each team in the Mavericks League plays a 48-game regular season schedule from May through August, with a championship series. at the conclusion of the regular season.[4] All of the league's games are played at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer.[3]
 | |
| Sport | Baseball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2021 |
| First season | 2021 |
| Owner(s) | Mickey Walker |
| CEO | Mickey Walker |
| Commissioner | Jerry Howard |
| No. of teams | 4 |
| Country | United States |
| Venue(s) | Volcanoes Stadium Keizer, Oregon |
| Continent | North America |
| Most recent champion(s) | Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (2024) |
| Official website | mavericksindependentleague |
History
editAfter the 2020-21 Minor League Baseball reorganization left the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (hitherto members of the Northwest League as the San Francisco Giants' A Short-Season affiliate) without an affiliation, the Volcanoes resolved that they would play in 2021 nonetheless, with further information to come.[5] On January 26, 2021, it was announced that the Volcanoes ownership would be forming their own independent baseball league, the Mavericks League.[3]
The league has four teams based in the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area, with all games being played at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer, Oregon. It is aimed at top-level undrafted and released players, as well as high-level collegiate and former Volcanoes players seeking to rejoin the MLB affiliated minor league ranks. To not put their collegiate players' eligibility at risk, players will not be paid for the inaugural season, but that is planned to change in the future.[4]
In addition to the Volcanoes, the league will feature the Campesinos de Salem-Keizer (previously the Volcanoes' Copa de la Diversión alter-ego) as well as the revival of the Portland Mavericks (an infamous independent Northwest League team which played from 1973 to 1977) and the Salem Senators (a name used by numerous Northwest League teams based in Salem throughout the 20th century).[4]
Teams
edit| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland Mavericks | Keizer, Oregon | Volcanoes Stadium | 4,254 |
| Salem Senators | |||
| Campesinos de Salem-Keizer[6] | |||
| Salem-Keizer Volcanoes |
Champions
edit| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Campesinos de Salem-Keizer |
| 2022 | Salem Senators |
| 2023 | Salem Senators |
References
edit- ^ "Why a 40-year-old drove from Kentucky to Oregon for a one-day minor league baseball tryout".
- ^ "Volcanoes announce creation of new independent baseball league". Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. Minor League Baseball. January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Press Release: Volcanoes Announce Creation of New Independent Baseball League". MavericksIndependentLeague.com. Mavericks Independent Baseball League. January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ a b c Rawlings, Matt (2021-01-26). "Volcanoes creating four-team independent league". Keizer Times. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
- ^ "MLB realignment eliminates short-season baseball, but Volcanoes will play in 2021". Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. Minor League Baseball. December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ^ Ramirez, Luis (2021-01-26). "Volcanoes creating a new independent league in Salem-Keizer". Salem Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2021-01-30.