The Humboldt Crabs are excited to announce that beginning this
summer we will be joining the brand new Pacific Empire League!
Joining the Crabs in this new alliance are five additional West Coast
organizations with whom Crabs fans are already familiar – the
Healdsburg Prune Packers, Lincoln Potters, Medford Rogues, Solano
Mudcats, and West Coast Kings.
“The Humboldt Crabs organization is incredibly proud to be a part of
the Pacific Empire League,” said Crabs president Scarlet Palmer. “We look forward to moving
into our 80th season with a well-executed schedule and vigorous competition for the benefit of
both our fans and our players.”
Since their last year in the Far West League in 2013, the Crabs have played as an independent
team for the last decade, but have always maintained close ties with several West Coast teams.
And when the opportunity arose to join forces with several of those teams, the decision was a
no-brainer.
The league affiliation will assure strong competition at the Arcata Ball Park, as well as bring
other enhancements to the fan experience, not the least of which is the potential to participate
in a three-game championship series at the end of each season between the top two teams in
the league.
“The Humboldt Crabs are honored to be a part of the Pacific Empire League in 2024 and years
to come,” said Crabs assistant coach Eric Giacone. “We’re excited for the opportunity to
compete against the best collegiate teams from Northern California and Southern Oregon. The
PEL is going to create rivalries that will increase the fan experience at the Arcata Ballpark
moving forward.”
A press release from the Pacific Empire League is below. The 80th season of Humboldt Crabs
baseball season begins on Friday, May 31. See you at the ballpark!
Pacific Empire League Release: West Coast Baseball Powerhouses Unite
to Form Pacific Empire League (PEL)
Best Coast, USA – Today marks the union of six top-tier Summer Collegiate Baseball
franchises on the West Coast as they join forces to launch the Pacific Empire League
(PEL). The Healdsburg Prune Packers, Humboldt Crabs, Lincoln Potters, Medford Rogues,
Solano Mudcats, and West Coast Kings will anchor the league in a groundbreaking
collaboration.
The PEL is dedicated to delivering robust competition and fostering player development
in fan-focused communities.
In its debut 2024 season, the PEL will unite three former CCL teams (Prune Packers,
Potters, Mudcats), leading Bay Area squad, the West Coast Kings, and two thriving
independent teams (Crabs and Rogues). The summer schedule, featuring a climactic 3-
game Championship Series, will provide a dynamic summer game range of up to 55 high-
stakes matchups.
“The Pacific Empire League checks all the boxes as a topnotch collegiate baseball league,
featuring historic teams with devoted fan bases, and strong ties to college coaches and
scouts. Our integrated tech further enhances player exposure and development.” – Joey
Gomes, GM/Head Coach, Healdsburg Prune Packers
Meet the Teams
- Healdsburg Prune Packers: Dominated the CCL for six seasons, finishing atop the
northern division each year while claiming the league championship the last
three consecutive seasons. Over 70 players drafted or signed pro contracts. - Lincoln Potters: Seven-season winning record, three CCL playoff appearances,
leading in fan engagement, and 15 drafted players in the past two years. - Humboldt Crabs: America’s oldest continually-operated Summer Collegiate
Baseball team since 1945, fostering over 300 pro players. - Medford Rogues: Independent trailblazers with nearly a thousand fans per
game, 39 players drafted or signed since 2013. - Solano Mudcats: A Summer Collegiate Baseball staple since 1990, boasting 31
D1 players in the last three seasons. - West Coast Kings: 2021 and 2023 West Coast World Series champions, featuring
61 D1 talents in the last three seasons.
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