South Coast League

South Coast League

South Coast League logo
Sport	Baseball
Founded	2005
No. of teams	6
Country	United States
Most recent champion(s)	South Georgia Peanuts
Official website	www.southcoastleague.com

The South Coast League of Professional Baseball, based in Conyers, Georgia, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Southeastern United States. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either.

The South Coast League exists so that professional baseball players who are not signed by a Major or Minor League organization could have another chance at playing at a higher level. Although the level of South Coast League play can be categorized as single A, players in independent baseball are usually not scouted heavily by Major League teams. Many Major League alumni have called independent league teams home in an effort get back to the Majors. The league also caters to players who are not quite talented enough to play at a higher level.

History

The league was formed in October of 2005. In a press release in October, league Chief Executive Officer Jamie Toole, a former Carolina League executive with a number of teams, cited the desire to field professional baseball teams in municipalities that lacked access to professional baseball. Also running the league is their Chief Operations Officer, Chris Allen, who previously worked in the upper management group of the Salem Avalanche in the Carolina League.

In the initial years, the league itself will act as owners of the individual teams until local ownership groups can be found. As Allen explained, it was important to "establish our product prior to individual/private ownership taking control of the operation."

The league made an initial public offering in October of 2005.

The League

The league is an independent baseball league, which means that their teams are not affiliated with Major League Baseball or its teams. The league's players will primarily come from the college ranks, although some former major league players as well as other professional players will fill the team rosters.

2007 South Coast League Teams

South Coast League
Team	City	Stadium
Aiken Foxhounds	Aiken, South Carolina, USA	Roberto Hernandez Stadium
Anderson Joes	Anderson, South Carolina, USA	Anderson Memorial Stadium
Bradenton Juice	Bradenton, Florida, USA	Robert C. Wynn Baseball Field
Charlotte County Redfish	Port Charlotte, Florida, USA	Charlotte Sports Park
Macon Music	Macon, Georgia, USA	Luther Williams Field
South Georgia Peanuts	Albany, Georgia, USA	Paul Eames Sports Complex

League Standings

First Half

• South Georgia Peanuts 33-11 (.750)
• Macon Music 30-15 (.667)
• Bradenton Juice 24-20 (.545)
• Aiken Foxhounds 22-23 (.489)
• Anderson Joes 13-32 (.289)
• Charlotte County Redfish 12-33 (.267)

Second Half

• Macon Music 28-16 (.636)
• South Georgia Peanuts 26-17 (.605)
• Anderson Joes 24-20 (.545)
• Bradenton Juice 23-22 (.511)
• Aiken Foxhounds 18-23 (.439)
• Charlotte County Redfish 10-31 (.244)

Notes

• Macon, Georgia was announced as the first team of the league.
• A franchise in Sanford, FL was explored, but, according to an outdated Orlando Sentinel report [1], was denied due to the town's preference for collegiate play.

External links and references

• The South Coast League of Professional Baseball.