Independent Pro Baseball Returns to Long Beach

Long Beach is preparing to bring professional baseball back to the city, but not as a nostalgic echo of past efforts. This time, it’s being built from the ground up, designed specifically for the community it serves, with an emphasis on inclusion, innovation, and staying power.

The city’s latest effort to establish a minor league baseball team is centered on a newly proposed collaboration between Cal State Long Beach and a new independent organization, the Long Beach Baseball Club Inc. The plan essentially transforms the historic Blair Field into a shared stage for both collegiate tradition and modern professional energy, with games projected to begin in 2026.

This marks the city’s fourth attempt to host an independent baseball team over the past three decades, and by all signs, the most strategically aligned. Past teams include the Armada, Barracuda, and Breakers. All left their mark, but none could sustain long-term success due to inconsistent league structures and financial volatility. This new initiative aims to change that, fueled by a clear strategy, a proven ownership model, and a partnership-first approach with Long Beach State University.

Councilwoman Kristina Duggan expressed her excitement about the potential of bringing a pro baseball team to Blair Field, highlighting the fresh energy and entertainment it could offer the community. “I’m so excited about the possibility of bringing a professional baseball team to Blair Field. They’re bringing new energy, new resources, and entertainment to our community,” says Duggan.

The proposed team would become part of the Pioneer League, a well-established independent professional baseball league with franchises stretching across the western U.S. Unlike affiliated minor league clubs where players are assigned and developed by Major League parent organizations, teams in the Pioneer League sign and develop their talent, and many of whom are rising prospects hoping for their break into the majors. These leagues have also gained attention for experimenting with progressive rules, some of which have gone on to influence major league game play.

Paul Freedman, a co-founder of a team in the same Pioneer Baseball League, explained the rationale behind choosing Long Beach. Freedman says, “Once we recognized what was working in Oakland could probably work elsewhere, Long Beach was the very top of the list. Long Beach actually is the largest city, to our knowledge, the largest city in the country that doesn’t have its own pro baseball team.”

But what truly sets this effort apart is its foundation in community engagement. The ownership group includes key figures with a track record of launching successful teams in challenging markets, most notably Freedman with the Oakland Ballers, who brought fresh life to their city’s baseball scene after the departure of the Athletics. Their blueprint combines grass roots involvement, fan-first design, and neighborhood integration while not just to entertain, but to embed the team within the city’s culture.

Blair Field, already a landmark in Southern California baseball circles, provides the perfect canvas. The stadium has been a home to the Long Beach State Dirtbags, who are one of the most respected college baseball programs in the country, and has also previously hosted professional teams. With modern amenities and a central location accompanied by a loyal fan base already attending college games in high numbers, Blair Field stands as a ready-made venue for the city’s next baseball evolution.

The partnership plan would ensure that the university retains primary access to the stadium for its collegiate schedule while opening space for professional games to coexist. Public access, neighborhood quality-of-life concerns, and logistical upgrades would all be addressed through city support and stakeholder collaboration, ensuring the venue remains a shared asset for students, families, and fans alike.

Beyond the field, the team is expected to become a civic force, creating new economic opportunities, fostering local pride, and becoming a touchstone for youth engagement and citywide identity. It’s not just a baseball team being introduced; it’s a community anchor in the making.

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson voiced support for furthering the planning process, where he states, “The discussions have been had, now it’s time to make it official that we’re looking into this,” says Richardson.

If Long Beach moves forward with this plan, residents won’t just be watching a new team take the field in 2026. They’ll be witnessing a new kind of baseball, one designed to belong here, last here, and grow with the city.

As Long Beach continues to evolve and take its place on the national stage, including preparing to help host global events like the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a locally rooted, independently operated baseball franchise could become both a symbol and an instrument of that progress.

This isn’t just another swing at minor league baseball. It’s the start of a new era, powered by vision, backed by community, and ready to take the field.