Wednesday, May 20, 2009

IN A LAST MINUTE MOVE, TEAM OF COLOMBIAN PLAYERS WILL REPRESENT YUMA IN GOLDEN LEAGUE

When my telephone rang late Wednesday afternoon I found an excited Kevin Outcalt, the commissioner of the Golden League, was calling.

He was informing me that in an eleventh hour development an entire team made up of players from the Colombian League is on its way to the United States today, and that it will replace the regular Yuma Scorpions at Desert Sun Stadium. The move was being announced only two days ahead of the Friday league opener when Yuma will host the St. George (UT) Road Runners.

This is big news in that an affiliation agreement similar to what a major league team would sign with its minor league affiliates has been completed.

"This could be a whole new model for Independent clubs," Outcalt said.

It also is big news for the players Yuma Manager Mike Marshall had assembled to play in the GBL. Outcalt said the league is ambitiously trying to place those players elsewhere, including with other Independent leagues. This will be a challenge with such short notice, and with many of the teams already playing although the Can-Am League does not start play until May 28 and the United League on June 11.

We intend to unravel the details in time for Thursday's Independent Baseball Insider column.


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