The Black Sox are looking to “change the culture” in indy ball.
The team is mostly made up of players with pro experience who are still looking for a place to play for the summer as well as guys who are signed to leagues that start later (such as the Pacific Association or the Pecos League).
The “Road Warriors” travel around the country playing various independent teams in many different leagues during their respective spring trainings… think barnstorming teams of the past.
The players are hoping that just one of the teams take notice and sign them to play for them instead of against them.
It’s definitely a grind. Indy ball isn’t easy, and this is even harder. Guys travel with each other from city to city, paying for their own transportation while trying to find their own place to stay for the night. Some teams provide hotels, but most won’t pay for a team that isn’t officially part of any league.
It isn’t for everyone, but it could be worth it for the guys who grind it out. Owner/manager Joe Torre has a track record of getting guys signed to indy leagues. He uses his extensive connections and some tough love to get guys where they want to be.
Last year, I was fortunate enough to be working with a school that went to a school day spring training game featuring the Black Sox. The guys were amazing to my students and made it an enjoyable experience for all. You can check out that story here: Education Day with the Black Sox.
Indy Ball Island also invited two members of the Black Sox to write about their experience. You can check that out here: Guest Bloggers – The Black Sox.
The team will be all over the country starting today… if they’re in a town near you, make sure you go out and support the guys if you can!
Florence Kentucky will be home base for our 2018 Pro Spring Training Trip
4/20-4/21 vs Lancaster Barnstormers- Atlantic League (2gms)
4/21 vs Road Warrior Team (Atlantic League ) @ New Britain stadium (Back field)- driving back to Florence for Draft after CT game (possible PM CT tryout)
4/21 River City Rascals Tryout- Frontier League
4/21 Pacific Association Draft Tryout @ Albert Park San Rafael- Pacific Association
4/23-4/24 Frontier Draft in Florence Kentucky- Frontier League
4/24-4/27 @ USPBL Draft in Michigan 3 day event, players pay USPBL for tryout. Discount for players who attend Frontier Draft
4/26 vs Windy City Thunderbolts Double Header- Frontier League (2gms)- driving to Southern Illinois
4/26-4/27 vs Southern Illinois Miners -Frontier League (2gms)- driving back to Florence to recoup before the next trip
5/1 Road Warriors vs Florence Freedom 11am -Frontier League- driving to Washington on the 2nd
*5/3-5/4 vs Washington Wild Things 10am (School day games)- Frontier League (2gms)-driving to Florence/Normal, splitting the squads
5/5-5//6-5/7-5/8 vs Florence Freedom 3 games 2pm start 5/6 and 5/7. 12 pm start 5/5 -Frontier League (3 games)
⅚ vs Normal Cornbelters 10am- Frontier League
5/7vs Normal Cornbelters 9am- Frontier League
⅝ vs Normal Cornbelters (School day game) 10am- Frontier League- driving to Texas for American Association Series
5/9 vs Sussex County Miners (after the tryout)
5/10-5/11-5/12 vs Cleburn Railroaders/Grand Prairie Airhogs- American Association (6gms in 3 days)- driving ti Fargo after game on 12
5/14 vs Fargo Moore-Head Redhawks -American Association (1 gm)-driving to Sioux Falls after the game
5/15 vs Sioux Falls Canaries – American Association (1gm)-driving to California to get ready for May 20 first PAC workout
5/13–5/17- Pecos League Spring Training Starts
5/20-6/1 – Pacific Association Spring Training Games vs 6 teams games to be scheduled (Vallejo/Pittsburg/Martinez/Napa)
June 4-7 @ Empire League Spring Training
* Look for a special story about the Black Sox while they are in Washington, PA next month!
For more information on the Black Sox, please check out their official website HERE.
Indy Ball Island 