Yuma Desert Rats

Last updated
Yuma Desert Rats
Desert Rats.png
Information
Location Yuma, Arizona
Ballpark Desert Sun Stadium
Founded 2005
Disbanded 2012
League championships0
Division championships0
Former name(s)
  • Yuma Panthers (2011)
  • Yuma Scorpions (2005–10)
  • Yuma Bullfrogs (2000–03)
  • Yuma Desert Dawgs (1995)
Former league(s)
ColorsBlack, red, white
   

The Yuma Desert Rats were a professional baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, in the United States. From the 2005 season to the 2011 season, they were known as the Yuma Scorpions and played their home games at Desert Sun Stadium at the Ray Kroc Complex, former spring training home of the San Diego Padres.

Contents

They were members of the Golden Baseball League from 2005 to 2010 and the North American League in 2011. They were to have joined the American West Baseball League, but left the league due to a fallout with the league's founder and C.E.O. Michael Cummings. They were sold to Godfather Media, Inc. in 2012 and had announced a name change to the Yuma Panthers, but they never played. They were sold to Tim Ferguson for 2013 and renamed the Desert Rats, but they never played either.

The team also played as the Scorpions in the Arizona Winter League from 2007 to 2011.

Team history

Golden Baseball League (2005–2010)

The Yuma Scorpions were one of the Golden Baseball League charter members in 2005 along with the Chico Outlaws, Fullerton Flyers, Long Beach Armada and San Diego Surf Dawgs in California; Mesa Miners and Surprise Fightin' Falcons in Arizona and the Japan Samurai Bears, the league's first (and so far only) traveling team. The Panthers, along with the Outlaws, Armada and Flyers remain the only charter teams still active in the league.

The team replaced the former Bullfrogs as the city of Yuma's professional baseball team. The Bulldogs played in the defunct Western Baseball League from 2000 to 2002, but folded after being financially unsuccessful and leaving a legacy of lawsuits and a trail of unpaid bills, players and employees. Other baseball teams are the Yuma Desert Dawgs of the defunct Golden State League (1995–96) and American West Leagues (1997–99). The San Diego Padres inhabited Desert Sun Stadium as their spring training complex and used it from 1968 to 1994 before they went to a new facility in Peoria, Arizona.

Affiliations with foreign leagues

On May 20, 2009 the Yuma Sun reported that the team had signed an affiliation agreement with the Colombian Professional Baseball League (CPBL), [1] a league owned by Edgar and Edinson Rentería. Edgar played for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball at the time of the signing. Under the terms of the affiliation, the CPBL handled all on-field personnel and player issues while the team retained control of promotions, concessions, and other front-office business. The Scorpions acted as a farm team for all four CPBL teams. [2] It was reported by some news outlets to be the first time an independent American baseball club had formed an affiliation with a foreign team or league, however, in 1972 and 1973 the California League's team based in Lodi, California had an affiliation with Nippon Professional Baseball's Nishitetsu Lions.[ citation needed ] Yuma's partnership with the CPBL was at one point reportedly being made into a feature story for ESPN. [3]

In early 2010 the Yuma Sun reported that the Scorpions had ended their affiliation with the CPBL, but had signed a new three-year affiliation agreement with the Venezuelan Baseball Federation (VBF). [4]

The move was also portrayed as one that would improve the Scorpions on-field performance. Under the affiliation with the CPBL, the Scorpions went 29-47, worst in the GBL, including a 3-13 start. [5] Several factors justify this assertion. Baseball is more popular in Venezuela than Colombia, leading to the Sun to speculate that that country will provide superior prospects to the CPBL agreement. Additionally, the previous agreement with the CPBL was only concluded hours before the start of the season, so that players had to literally get on a plane in Colombia, got off in Yuma and immediately play the season opener. The agreement with the VBF was agreed to three months prior to the start of the 2010 season. The Scorpions' Manager for 2010, Darryl Brinkley, had experience playing in Venezuela. [5]

North American League (2011)

The Scorpions were one of six former GBL teams to join the newly formed North American League in 2010 and began play in 2011.

On April 11, 2011, Jose Canseco and his twin brother, Ozzie, were added to the teams' roster, with Jose being a manager. [6] In August of that year, 52-year-old former Major League player and then-Scorpions infielder Tony Phillips was involved in an altercation with former Scorpions manager Mike Marshall, then with the Chico Outlaws. Phillips punched Marshall in the face during the incident, causing the latter to press battery charges against the infielder. [7]

Changes of ownership and names

The team was sold to Godfather Media, Inc on January 31, 2012. The new owners announced they would be changing the team name to Yuma Panthers shortly thereafter on February 8, in time for the 2012 season. [8] Additionally they announced that former Major League shortstop Garry Templeton would be replacing Canseco as field manager. [9] The Arizona Winter League team is still known as the Scorpions.

On April 27, 2012, Godfather Media, LLC C.E.O. Michael Cummings announced that the Panthers were withdrawing from the North American League and were sitting out the 2012 season along with a team they acquired, the Orange County Flyers. [10] [11]

In 2012, Godfather Media, then owners of the Panthers, started a new league called the American West Baseball League and entered the Panthers as a member team.

The team was then sold to local investor Tim Ferguson and the name changed again. This time, becoming the Desert Rats. However, before they could throw a pitch, the team folded after Ferguson and the AWBL parted ways. [12]

Alumni

Scorpions who made it to the Big Leagues

Dane De La Rosa, RHP, Yuma Scorpions 2005, Tampa Bay Rays (2011)
Joey Gathright, OF, Yuma Scorpions 2011, Boston Red Sox (2011)
Sergio Romo, RHP, Yuma Scorpions Winter League 2007, San Francisco Giants (2010)

Scorpions acquired by MLB teams

Joey Gathright, OF, Boston Red Sox (2011)
Robby Scott, LHP, Boston Red Sox (2011)
JJ Leaper, RHP Oakland Athletics (2011)
Lee Cruz, OF, Houston Astros (2010)
Gilbert De La Vara, LHP, Detroit Tigers (2010)
Brandon Fowler, C, San Diego Padres (2010)
Rylan Sandoval, SS, New York Mets (2010)
Reynaldo Rodriguez, 1B, Boston Red Sox (2009)
Ryan Barba, SS, Atlanta Braves (2008)
Donald Brandt, P Milwaukee Brewers (2008)
Derrick Hale, SS, Cincinnati Reds (2008)
Kennard Jones, OF, Baltimore Orioles (2007)
Charles Merricks, P, Philadelphia Phillies (2007)
Scott Richmond, P, Toronto Blue Jays (2007)
Sergio Romo, P, San Francisco Giants (2007)
Cardoza Tucker, P, Houston Astros (2006)
Dane De La Rosa, P, Tampa Bay Rays (2005)
Jason Dewey, C, Colorado Rockies, (2005)

Major Leaguers who have played for the Scorpions

2005: Alex Arias SS, Joe Davenport P, Carl Sadler P, Jason Dewey
2006: Rusty Meacham P
2007: Pasqual Matos C
2008: Mike Esposito P, Felipe Lira P
2009: Emiliano Fruto, P
2010: Bill Pulsipher P, Alex Prieto P, Cha-Seung Baek P, Mike Johnson P
2011: Joey Gathright OF, Jose Canseco DH, Tony Phillips IF/OF, Ozzie Canseco OF/DH
2011: J.J. Leaper, P

Managers

Benny Castillo (2005–2006) Record: 79–91, Winning % : .465
Mike Marshall (2007–2008) Record: 89–74 Winning %: .546
Boris Villa (2009) Record: 29–47 Winning %: .382
Darryl Brinkley (2010) Record: 41–49, Winning % : .456
Jose Canseco (2011) Record: 35–53, Winning % : .398

Quick facts

Founded: 2005
Stadium: Desert Sun Stadium
Uniform colors: Maroon, Black, Sand, White
Logo design: Joe Bosack
Mascot: Stinger
Current ownership: None
Local radio: KBLU-AM (As of June 2009)
First play-by-play broadcaster: Radio: Jim Howell
Current broadcasters: Radio: Jeff Edwards

Season-by-season records

Golden Baseball League:

SeasonWLWin %PlacePlayoff
20054743.5222nd, Arizona DivisionDid not qualify
20063248.4004th/6thDid not qualify
20074234.5533rd/2ndDid not qualify
20084739.5472nd/4th, South DivisionDid not qualify
20091920.4875th, South DivisionDid not qualify
20101431.3114th, South DivisionDid not qualify

North American League:

SeasonWLWin %PlacePlayoff
20113553.3985th, South DivisionDid not qualify

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Baseball League</span>

The Golden Baseball League was an independent baseball league based in San Ramon, California, with teams located in the western United States, western Canada and northwest Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Diego Surf Dawgs</span> Former independent pro baseball team

The San Diego Surf Dawgs are an independent professional baseball team representing San Diego, California, that played for two seasons in the Golden Baseball League, based out of San Ramon, California, and then later in the short-season instructional Arizona Winter League and Arizona Summer League, based out of Yuma, Arizona, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. They were owned by Diamond Sports & Entertainment, previous owners of the GBL and primary investors in the North American League. In November 2022, it was announced the Surf Dawgs franchise will be revived as part of a west coast expansion of the Federal Baseball League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chico Outlaws</span> Golden Baseball League team

The Chico Outlaws were a professional baseball team based in Chico, California, in the United States. The Outlaws were a member of the Northern Division of the independent North American League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. From the 2005 season to the 2011 season, the Outlaws played their home games at Nettleton Stadium, on the campus of Chico State University. The team officially folded on February 29, 2012, and some of its remnants have gone to the NAL's newest team, the San Rafael Pacifics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Beach Armada</span>

The Long Beach Armada were an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League (GBL), which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. The Armada played its home games at Blair Field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mesa Miners</span> Baseball team

The Mesa Miners were an independent professional baseball team based in Mesa, Arizona. They began as a member of the Arizona Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League in 2005. The original team became known as the Reno Silver Sox in 2006, and then the Tucson Toros in 2009, but the league could bring the Miners back as an expansion team should they decide to do so.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surprise Fightin' Falcons</span> Baseball team

The Surprise Fightin' Falcons are an inactive professional baseball team based in Surprise, Arizona. They played in the Arizona Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. They played their home games at the Surprise Recreation Campus athletic facility, which includes a spring training ballpark called Surprise Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert Sun Stadium</span> Stadium in Yuma, Arizona

Desert Sun Stadium is a converted soccer-specific stadium in Yuma, Arizona, originally built for baseball. It was the spring training home of the San Diego Padres from 1970 through 1993, the North American League's Yuma Scorpions minor league baseball team, the Arizona Winter League, and the Arizona Summer League. The stadium serves as the main field of the Ray Kroc Baseball Complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reno Silver Sox (Golden Baseball League)</span>

The Reno Silver Sox were a professional baseball team based in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. They were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. From 2006 to 2008, they played their home games at William Peccole Park, on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno.

The Arizona Winter League was an independent professional winter baseball league. Arizona Winter League games were all played at Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma, Arizona. The league was founded in 2007. It disbanded in 2013 due to parent league, the Golden Baseball League/North American League, folding, but was restarted in 2016, only to fold again following the 2018 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Centro Imperials</span> Minor league baseball team

The El Centro Imperials was an independent professional baseball team based out of El Centro, California. The team started play in 1947 in the Sunset League and was folded in 1952. Another team, the Imperial Valley Brahmas played in El Centro in 1995 as part of the Golden State League and the Imperials were revived on April 3, 2009, as one of the four charter members of the new Arizona Summer League, an instructional summer professional baseball league affiliated with the Golden Baseball League. That version of the team was managed by former Los Angeles Dodgers player Mike Marshall, but lasted just the one season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonora Pilots</span> Pro baseball team in Yuma, Arizona

The Sonora Pilots are a professional independent baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona and represent Sonora, Mexico. They play in the International Division of the developmental Arizona Winter League, a short-season instructional winter league sanctioned by the North American League and they play their home games at Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma, along with the Canada Miners, San Diego Surf Dawgs and Yuma Scorpions. They are not affiliated with Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saskatchewan Silver Sox</span> Baseball team

The Saskatchewan Silver Sox are an independent professional baseball team based in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. They play in the developmental Arizona Winter League, a short-season instructional winter league affiliated with the North American League and compete in the International Division, as well as the Calexico Outlaws, San Diego Surf Dawgs, San Luis Atleticos and Team Canada. They began playing their home games in 2009 at Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma. They are owned by Diamond Sports & Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Canada Miners</span>

The Western Canada Miners are a professional independent baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, and representing western Canada. They play in the developmental Arizona Winter League, a short-season instructional winter league affiliated with the North American League and they play their home games at Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma, as well as the San Diego Surf Dawgs, Saskatchewan Silver Sox, Team Canada and Yuma Scorpions. The team uses the logo and uniforms of the now-defunct Mesa Miners team and are owned by Diamond Sports & Entertainment.

The San Luis Atleticos are a professional independent baseball team based in San Luis, Arizona, representing that city and Mexico. They play in the developmental Arizona Winter League, a short-season instructional winter league affiliated with the Golden Baseball League and play in the International Division, as well as the Saskatchewan Silver Sox, Team Canada and Western Canada Miners. The team will play their home games in 2009 at Joe Orduno Field in San Luis. Their team colors are green and gold, similar to the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball. They are managed by former Toronto Blue Jays farmhand Eddie Dennis, who now manages the United League's Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings team.

The Arizona Summer League (ASL) was a professional short-season instructional baseball league affiliated with the independent North American League (NAL). The league was announced on April 3, 2009, and founded in Yuma, Arizona by the now-defunct Golden Baseball League. Now headquartered in San Ramon, California, it is an independent baseball league that includes of four teams based out of different cities. All games are played at Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma, Arizona. The 2011 season ran from July 13 to August 8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arizona RoadRunners</span> Former Arizona Winter League baseball team

The Arizona RoadRunners are a professional baseball team based out of Yuma, Arizona and are currently a member of the American Division of the Arizona Winter League, a short-season developmental program run by the North American League. They are owned by Diamond Sports & Entertainment and they played games at Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma, Arizona since 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henderson RoadRunners</span>

The Henderson RoadRunners were an independent professional baseball team based out of Henderson, Nevada. They were members of the Western Division in the North American League and were scheduled to begin play in 2011 at Lied Field at Morse Stadium on the campus of the College of Southern Nevada in Henderson. But they would forgo their inaugural season as Lied Field will not be ready in time for the start of the season. The franchise folded in 2012 after failing to attract attention and secure new ownership. They would've been the second professional franchise to play in the Las Vegas area. The first is the Las Vegas 51s of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.

The Somerton Stingers are a professional independent baseball team based in Somerton, Arizona, representing that city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yuma Scorpions (Arizona Winter League baseball team)</span> Former developmental baseball team

The Yuma Scorpions were a professional developmental baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona. They were members of the Arizona Winter League, a short-season instructional league run by the North American League. They are owned by Diamond Sports & Entertainment LLC and are 3-time AWL Champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fullerton Flyers</span>

The Fullerton Flyers were a professional baseball team based in Fullerton, California, in the United States. They were an independent franchise, not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. The team played from 2005 to 2010 and their home stadium was at "The Station" at Goodwin Field, which is also the home field for the Cal State Fullerton Titans.

References

  1. ↑ Edward Carifio (May 20, 2009). "Scorpions to be affiliated with Colombian pro league". Yuma Sun. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  2. ↑ Edward Carifio (May 25, 2009). "Time will tell on effectiveness of Scorpions deal". Yuma Sun. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  3. ↑ ESPN Filming Feature Story on Yuma Scorpions, GBL website, June 30, 2009
  4. ↑ "Scorpions sign affiliation deal with Venezuelan league". Yuma Sun. 2010-02-26. Archived from the original on 2013-02-09. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Scorps should be improved in 2010 | deal, league, year". Yuma Sun. 2010-03-01. Archived from the original on 2013-02-09. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Jose Canseco to manage independent league team". ESPN. 2011-04-11. Retrieved 2012-03-11.
  7. ↑ Gleeman, Aaron (Aug 12, 2011). "Former big leaguers Tony Phillips and Mike Marshall fight as Jose Canseco manages". Hardball Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  8. ↑ "New for 2012: Yuma Panthers". Ballparkdigest.com. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-03-11.
  9. ↑ "Yuma baseball team getting 'fresh start' as Panthers, new, team, panthers". Yuma Sun. Archived from the original on 2013-02-10. Retrieved 2012-03-11.
  10. ↑ New for 2012: Hawaii Stars, Baseball Digest, May 7, 2012
  11. ↑ "Yuma Panthers baseball to skip summer in Yuma", Yuma Sun, April 27, 2012
  12. ↑ Ferguson walks away from AWBL, Ballpark Digest, January 25, 2013
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.