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Oakland Ballers

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Oakland Ballers
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassIndependent
LeaguePioneer League
DivisionPacific West Division
Team data
NameOakland B's
ColorsGreen, gold, gray
     
BallparkLaney College
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Oakland 68s
(Bryan Carmel & Paul Freedman, Founders)
ManagerMicah Franklin

The Oakland Ballers, nicknamed as the Oakland B's, are an independent baseball team that will play in the Pioneer League in 2024, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League.

History

The team was created following the approval of the Oakland Athletics' relocation to Las Vegas by MLB team owners. The non-profit Oakland 68's raised more than $2 million to establish the team[1] and was inspired by the success of Oakland Roots SC.[2] The press release for the team's announcement included a pledge for fan ownership based around a 2024 crowdfunding campaign.[3] Don Wakamatsu was appointed as the team's first-ever executive vice president of baseball operations.[4] The first player signed to the team was Dondrei Hubbard, announced on December 10, 2023.[5]

They will be located in Oakland, California and play their home games at Laney College,[6] with an expansion of Laney's facilities to hold upwards of 3,000 fans.[7][8] A proposed game at the Oakland Coliseum was blocked by the Oakland Athletics.[9]

Roster

Active (25-man) roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • -- Trae Robertson
  • -- Danny Kirwin
  • -- Christian Cosby



 

Catchers

  • -- Tyler Lozano

Infielders

  • -- Dan Covino
  • -- Noah Martinez

Outfielders

  • -- Collin Matthews
  • -- Dondrei Hubbard
 

Manager

Coaches

  • -- Ray King (pitching)
  • -- Dondrei Hubbard (hitting)
  • -- Aaron Miles (infield)

Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

Roster updated January 9, 2024
Transactions

References

  1. ^ "Independent Oakland Ballers to start play in 2024". ESPN.com. November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  2. ^ "Oakland's New Baseball Team, the Oakland B's Launch – Determined to Steal Back the Legacy of Baseball for the Town," Oakland Ballers (press release), Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  3. ^ Brennan-Gatica, Catalina (November 28, 2023). "Oakland's New Baseball Team, The Oakland B's Launch – Determined to Steal Back the Legacy of Baseball for the Town" (PDF). Oakland Ballers. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  4. ^ McCauley, Janie. "Oakland is getting a new minor league team – the Oakland B’s," The Associated Press (AP), Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  5. ^ Burke, Jason (December 10, 2023). "Oakland B's Announce First Player Signing". Inside The Athletics on FanNation. MSN.com. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  6. ^ "Oakland baseball will not die! City announces expansion team in Pioneer Baseball League". USA TODAY. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  7. ^ Passan, Jeff (November 28, 2023). "Oakland-area fans start Ballers, an independent baseball team". ESPN. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  8. ^ "Oakland is getting a new minor league team — the Oakland B's". CBS.
  9. ^ "Oakland A's blocked plans for B's to play game at Coliseum". Oakland. NBC. January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2024.