Tag Archives: Pacific Association

Independent Ball

San Rafael Pacifics Seeking Donations

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Independent baseball is hardly a huge money-making venture.  This offseason, we’re seeing how hard it really is for one team.  The San Rafael Pacifics of the Pacific Association are seeking donations to keep their team operating for the 2016 season.

The Pacific Association, a four team league based in Northern California, began in 2013 after the North American Baseball League folded at the end of 2012. The San Rafael Pacifics, winners of the last North American Baseball League Championship, then became one of the original teams in the Pacific Association.

The Pacifics finished 2nd in the league’s inaugural season, but came back to win back-to-back championships in 2014 and 2015.

Even with their success on the field, the team has now started a campaign seeking donations for next season. The team’s campaign states:

The Pacifics are seeking contributions to allow the team to continue its efforts to provide exciting and fun fan experiences, meaningful community outreach programs and a consistently competitive on-field product.  Thus far, the team has been unable to provide both low-cost ticket and concession prices while operating with a capable staff, quality players, full community outreach efforts and engaging fan experiences.  Over the first four years of operations the team has successfully reduced expenses to the point of break-even sustainability but debt incurred over those years has substantially threatened our ability to continue in business despite a robust operating model and widespread community support.

Fans who donate have the option to receive an autographed baseball, tickets, the honor of throwing out a first pitch, delivering the line up card before the game, a pregame clinic with the Pacifics’ manager, or they can even have an official plate appearance during an actual Pacifics game.

For more information or to donate CLICK HERE.

Independent Ball

Matt Chavez Becomes First Pacific Association Player to Sign Affiliated Contract

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matt chavez

(California Winter League)

In the four year history of the Pacific Association, no player had signed a contract with an affiliated club until now.  Matt Chavez, first baseman for the San Rafael Pacifics, was signed by the San Diego Padres organization on August 18th and sent to High A Lake Elsinore.

Chavez was drafted in 2010 by the Chicago White Sox but elected to continue playing at the University of San Francisco.  After his senior season in 2012, he went undrafted and was unsure if he’d ever get a chance to play professional baseball.

In 2013, he made the decision to attend the instructional California Winter League.  After being noticed in the CWL, he had the opportunity to play with the Prescott Montezuma Federals of the Freedom Pro Baseball League. He earned the FPBL triple crown by batting .430 with 18 HR and 49 RBI.

Then last year, Chavez went on a wild ride through baseball.  His numbers from the FPBL helped him get noticed, and he was signed by the San Francisco Giants for spring training. Chavez played the month of April with their Single A affiliate in Augusta, but was released after batting .194 in 10 games.

After being released, he signed with the Frontier Greys, the road team in the Frontier League.  In June, he was traded to the Fort Worth Cats in the now defunct United League. After a month with the Cats, he was released. Days later, he was signed by another United League team, the San Angelo Colts, where he remained for only another month.

The California native ended the season by heading back home to the west coast with the San Rafael Pacifics in the Pacific Association.  In the last two weeks of the season, he was able to make an impact on the team and help lead them to the Pacific Association Championship over the Vallejo Admirals.

After several offers from higher independent leagues for 2015, Chavez ultimately decided to stay on the west coast and play for San Rafael again this season.  He dominated the league while batting .383 (2nd best in the league) 31 HR (a new league record) and 85 RBI (the next closest has over 20 less) in 66 games.

However, the one night a Padres scout was in attendance, Chavez didn’t even get to showcase his hitting ability.  He was in the lineup, but seven consecutive at bats resulted in a walk.

“If anything, it might have played in my favor,” Chavez told the Marin Independent Journal. “The scout comes and the guys don’t even want to pitch to me. That’s a pretty good thing.”

The scout was impressed by his numbers and the fear he struck in opposing teams, and signed Chavez earlier this month. He is now splitting time between playing first base and DHing with the Lake Elsinore Storm. In eight games, he is batting .267 with one home run.  He hopes to make the most of the remaining weeks in the season and get an invite to spring training with the Padres next year.

*Update: 3/23/16* It was recently brought to my attention by the Vallejo Admirals that Chavez was NOT the first Pacific Association player to get signed. According to Tim Fitzgerald, Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations, “Our leader in HRs, RBIs and OPS in ’13, Nathan Tomaszewski, was signed to Pirates rookie ball from us. He retired after that season and now works for Scott Boras.”