San Rafael Pacifics
Team logo Cap insignia
Information
LeaguePecos League
LocationSan Rafael, California
BallparkAlbert Park
Founded2011
League championships6 (NABL, 2012), (PA, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019), (PL 2023)
Former league(s)
ColorsNavy blue, light blue, white
     
OwnershipPecos League
ManagerAustin Fitzpatrick
Websitewww.pacificsbaseball.com
Albert Park

The San Rafael Pacifics are a professional baseball team based in San Rafael, California, United States. They play in the Pecos League, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major or Minor League Baseball. Prior to joining the Pecos League, they were a charter franchise of the six-team Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs and were also members of the North American League in 2012.

The Pacifics franchise was launched by Centerfield Partners of Dublin, California. Along with a sister team owned and operated by Centerfield Partners, the Sonoma County Grapes, the Pacifics made their debut in the 2012 baseball season at 1,000-seat Albert Park in San Rafael.[1] The team was purchased by Gabe Suárez in December 2018. The Pacifics were purchased by Andrew Dunn, founder of the Pecos League in March 2020 after the Pacifics and the Pacific Association agreed to not continue their affiliation due to major differences in operating a sound independent baseball league.

North American League (2012)

The North American Baseball League was a nine-year-old, ten-team, professional, independent minor league formed from teams of the former Golden Baseball and United Baseball leagues. Play is typically described as A- to AA- caliber baseball, with players primarily coming from previous stints in the major league-affiliated AAA-, AA-, and A- leagues. The North American Baseball League folded in 2012. The Pacifics were the final champions of the league.

Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs (2013–2019)

The Pacifics' ownership, Redwood Sports and Entertainment, took the four former Northern Division teams from the NAL and created a new league, the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs. The league initially consisted of the Pacifics, Na Koa Ikaika Maui (also formerly of the GBL), Hawaii Stars, and Sonoma County Grapes. However, the Grapes folded and were replaced by the Vallejo Admirals.

In 2014, both Hawaii teams folded and the Sonoma Stompers and the Pittsburg Diamonds were added to the league.

In August 2018, the team announced that they were being put up for sale.[2] In December 2018, the team announced that the team was purchased by Gabe Suárez.[3]

On June 29, 2019, former Pacifics' pitcher Chris Mazza made his Major League Baseball debut for the New York Mets, becoming the first Pacific Association player to make the major leagues.

In November 2019, the Pacifics announced their departure from the Pacific Association, citing a desire to join a new independent league in Northern California for the 2020 season and beyond.[4]

On June 8, 2022, former Pacifics' pitcher Jared Koenig made his Major League Baseball debut for the Oakland Athletics, becoming the second Pacific to make the major leagues. Koenig won Pacific Association pitcher of the year in 2018, going 11-1 with a 3.54 era in 96 2/3 innings pitched. Koenig also set a Pacific Association record with 140 strikeouts.

Pecos League (2020–present)

On March 12, 2020, the Pecos League announced they purchased the team from Gabe Suárez, and would compete in the Pacific Division of the league for the 2020 season and beyond.[5]

In 2023, the Pacifics defeated the Tucson Saguaros to win the Pecos League championship 2 games to 1.



Roster

San Rafael Pacifics roster
Active roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 2 Josh Idell
  • 4 Alex Velasek
  • 13 Steve Schyntert
  • 21 Eric Parnow
  • 35 Teddy Hoxie
  • 40 Jake Dent
  • 45 Billy Babb



  

Catchers

  • 3 Nick Smith
  • 36 Beau Dorman

Infielders

  • 7 Grant Victor
  • 25 Tyler Georgeson
  • 33 Blake Diggle
  • 81 Mike Theisen

Outfielders

  • 1 Kyle Gurrea
  • 15 John Bicos
  • 24 Kevin Johnson
  

Manager

  • 20 Austin Fitzpatrick

Coaches


Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

Roster updated August 4, 2023
 Transactions

Season-by-season results

Season League W L Finish Playoffs/Result
2012 North American League 34 26 1st of 4 North Division Champions, won North Division championship series vs Na Koa Ikaika Maui, 2-1
2013 Pacific Association 54 21 1st of 5 Lost championship game vs Na Koa Ikaika Maui
2014 Pacific Association 48 30 1st of 4 First half winner; Second half winner; League Champions
2015 Pacific Association 48 30 1st of 4 Second half winner; won championship game vs Sonoma Stompers
2016 Pacific Association 41 37 2nd of 4 Did not qualify
2017 Pacific Association 32 46 4th of 4 Did not qualify
2018 Pacific Association 50 30 2nd of 6 Won championship game vs Sonoma Stompers
2019 Pacific Association 38 26 2nd of 5 Won championship series vs Sonoma Stompers, 2-1
2020 Pecos League Season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Pecos League 22 18 3rd of 6 Won the bay championship series vs Martinez Sturgeon, 2-1
2022 Pecos League 41 9 1st of 8 Lost Pacific Division championship series vs Tucson Saguaros, 2-0
2023 Pecos League 39 8 1st of 8 Won Pecos League championship series vs Tucson Saguaros, 2-1

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ Shea, John (2012-02-12). "San Rafael professional baseball team promises fun". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  2. ↑ San Rafael Pacifics Team For Sale, Pacifics' official website, August 29, 2018
  3. ↑ San Rafael Pacifics owner Gabriel Suarez has lengthy baseball background, Marin Independent Journal, December 28, 2018
  4. ↑ "San Rafael Pacifics on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.
  5. ↑ San Rafael Pacifics to join the Pecos League for 2020 season, PecosLeague.com, March 12, 2020
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.