Independent baseball is a funny thing. When you go to a game, you are going to get legitimately good baseball. The prices are second to none, and you might get to see some former major leaguers in the process.
Except indy baseball is cursed or doomed—I’m not quite sure which.
The American Association, Atlantic League, Frontier League and Can-Am League are the big four. The North American League on the other hand, could only try to play with the big boys.
And now entering its second season, it won't be able to anymore.
When was the last time an organization’s champion was not able to defend their championship? Not because they lost, but because they’re not even part of the league anymore?
To make matters worse, Diamond Sports and Entertainment, the force behind the birth of the NAL, will not be running the league anymore, according to the Yuma Sun . On top of that, Kevin Outcalt, president of the NAL, has also resigned.
Michael Cummings, CEO of Godfather Media Inc., has also stirred up some excitement since purchasing the Yuma Scorpions and 60 percent of the Orange County Flyers .
According to a Joseph D'Hippolito article in the most recent Baseball America , Michael Shapiro, president and GM of the San Rafael Pacifics, is concerned about Cummings' not repaying a loan while in the Golden Baseball League.
Because of the tension between the two groups, it became evident that Cummings and the NAL could not come to an agreement.
It was announced in May that Cummings would take his stake in his two teams and form a new league: the American West Baseball League.
Godfather Media is also getting all their ducks in a row. According to a recent press release , as of June 8, the AWBL has signed up four teams located in Fullerton, Calif.; Long Beach, Calif.; Yuma, Ariz. and San Diego, Calif., while garnering interest from two to four others more.
The league is in the process of building a website and discussing expansion with potential owners. The biggest issues they will have are sponsorships, marketing and the funding to build stadiums.
The hype surrounding new leagues and teams is always fascinating, except the promise always exceeds reality in most cases.
Godfather Media has stated that Michael L. Leyva was appointed to the American West Baseball League as general counsel. Levya brings over 20 years of legal and business experience with him. Leyva’s appointment will no doubt strengthen the reputation of the AWBL, and provide some semblance of confidence to shareholders and investors.
The NAL was one of the most promising indy leagues in years. But after just one year, its world has been completely turned upside down.
Removals of founders and upheavals in ownership have depleted one league and given birth to another.
Devon is the founder and executive director of The GM's Perspective . He is a former professional baseball player with the River City Rascals and Gateway Grizzlies . Currently, Devon is a manager at a financial institution in Northern Ontario Canada, and can be reached at devon@thegmsperspective.com . You can follow The GM's Perspective on Twitter and Facebook . His full bio can be seen here .
