(Dublin, CA. July 11, 2008) The Arizona Winter League (AWL), a professional instructional baseball league is set to play its third season in the southwest, once again headquartered in Yuma, Arizona, from January 26th to March 1st of 2009. The six team developmental league will be administered by the independent professional Golden Baseball League (GBL) and will be staffed with instructors and managers from the GBL summer season that has resulted in over 70 GBL players signing with major league organizations over the last three seasons. In addition, instructors and coaches representing most of the major independent leagues, foreign leagues, and major league organizations will also be working with the players.

AWL Purpose:

• To provide professional baseball players a winter instructional league to be able to compete for pro jobs during spring training, or for those currently under contract to sharpen their skills and be a step ahead of other wintering players.



• To assess and select players for the 2009 Golden Baseball League Championship season and to provide players to other independent leagues and major league organizations for the 2009 season.



• To bring professional baseball for fans in the southwestern United States to enjoy during the beautiful winter weather.

Over 130 Players From the 2007 & 2008 Arizona Winter Leagues (AWL) Signed Professional Contracts with the Golden Baseball League, the New York State League, the Frontier League, the Northern League, the American Association, the Continental League, the United League, the Mexican minor league, the Dutch League in Europe, the San Francisco Giants, the Baltimore Orioles, the Kansas City Royals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Toronto Blue Jays. One 2007 AWL Player, Sergio Romo, is now in the big leagues with the San Francisco Giants.

The Most Successful development league in getting players signed to pro contracts, including players signed during the league by major league organizations and independent leagues. Contracts offered during and at the end of the AWL at the banquet. General Information:

• 25-man Rosters: First 150 players to register will play



• 6 Team League: Yuma Scorpions, Canada Miners, San Diego Surf Dawgs, Palm Springs Chill, Blythe Heat, El Centro Imperials



• 4 Day "Spring Training" starting January 26, 2009



• 6 Teams selected with Opening Night on January 30, 2009



• 5 week season with Spring Training followed by games 4-5 days per week and days of instructional development work.



• At conclusion of the Arizona Winter League, at least 20 Players guaranteed to be signed to Golden Baseball League professional contracts for 2009 GBL Season. Last year 39 players were signed to GBL contracts during the AWL.



• Scouts representing major league organizations, the Can-Am League, the Frontier League, the American Association, the Mexican Summer League, the Liga Norte Sonora, the Colombian Winter League, and European professional leagues . Last year major league scouts from the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays all attended AWL games.



• Games will be played at the Ray Kroc Complex, former home of the San Diego Padres and Yakult Swallows spring training, in Yuma, Arizona. The complex has four fields, including the 7,500 seat Desert Sun Stadium, plus a major league clubhouse with locker rooms for all four teams, and a fully stocked training room. Games may also be played in Palm Springs (former Angels spring training complex), Blythe, and El Centro.



• Championship Rings will be presented at the end of the season at the Awards Banquet honoring the AWL Champions.



• Game/Player statistics will be reported to ESPN Sportsticker and will be emailed weekly to all major league Minor League Operations Directors. All major league scouting Directors have been invited to attend.



• Full game coverage on the front page of the Yuma Sun newspaper each day. Games are complete minor league experience including fans (4000 turned out for the AWL Championship Game last season), mid-inning promotions, sponsor endorsement opportunities for players, additional press (GQ Magazine did a photo shoot of the Canada Miners) exposure including Yuma radio and television stations.

Rules:

• Player must be 18 years or older at the start of the league (Jan. 26, 2009; Must be born before 1/26/1991)



• Players must have minor league, collegiate, or high school experience

Fees:

• $3,300 for Season ($1,000 minimum due with registration, balance of $2,300 on Dec. 1st). Receive a $400 discount for a total payment in full of $2900 with registration.
  • Includes lodging, meals, and local transportation to training facilities for entire length of league
  
  
  
  • Includes all instructor fees
  
  
  
  • Uniforms, workout gear, bags, bats, catcher's gear all provided.
  
  
  
  • Players are responsible for their own transportation to and from Yuma, Arizona.
  
  
  
  • Your registration is a firm commitment to participate in the Arizona Winter League. Cancellations will not result in a refund.

Team Managers/Instructors, including GBL Managers, are:

• Kash Beauchamp: Wichta Wingnuts Manager in the American Association, considered one of the most accomplished managers in Independent Minor League baseball, legendary hitting coach and operator of the reknowned Wood Bat Mechanics professional hitting school, #1 draft choice in the 1982 draft (selected by the Toronto Blue Jays).



• Garry Templeton: Orange County Flyers Manager, 16-year major league career, 4-Time National League All-Star with the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres, 2 major league Silver Slugger Awards, 5-year AAA Manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.



• Les Lancaster: Reno Silver Sox Manager, 7-year major league career, former Sporting News National League All-Star and All-Rookie Team, 8-year pro managing career including Baseball America Manager of the Year Award, holds record for number of players signed by major league organizations off one independent league team.



• Mike Marshall: Yuma Scorpions Manager, 11-year major league career, former National League All-Star, 1988 World Series Champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-year pro managing career, former VP of Baseball Operations for the Northern League.



• Cory Snyder: St. George Roadrunners Manager, 9-Year major league career, top American League slugger with the Cleveland Indians, All-American at BYU and member of the 1984 US Olympic baseball team.
  
  
• Jeffrey Leonard: Reno Silve rSox Manager, 16-year major league career, two time major league All-Star, 1987 National League Championship Series MVP, highly successful manager in High-A and Double-A, professional hitting instructor and operator of the HacMan Academy, professional bowler



• Dave Marcon: Detroit Tigers pitching and hitting instructor, 12-year minor league career, leading Independent League scout and operator of the Indy Pro Showcase.



• Nick Belmonte, AWL roving baserunning and fielding instructor: former Salt Lake City Trappers manager, Boston Red Sox Independent Leagues scout, scout and player procurement for Can-Am, Frontier, New York State, and American Association teams. Scout for 5 independent leagues and the leading player procurement consultant in minor league baseball. He placed 120 players on the rosters of 2008 independent league clubs.

TO REGISTER FOR THE 2009 ARIZONA WINTER LEAGUE, PLEASE COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION FORM BELOW.

You only need to submit this form once.  Once reviewed by a staff member, you will be contacted to discuss acceptance and payment arrangements.