Pacific Coast League facts for kids
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| Classification | Triple-A (1958–present) Open (1952–1957) Triple-A (1946–1951) Double-A (1912–1945) Class-A (1904–1911) Independent (1903) |
|---|---|
| Sport | Baseball |
| Founded | 1903 |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Country | United States |
| Most recent champion(s) |
Sugar Land Space Cowboys (2024) |
| Most titles | San Francisco Seals (14) |
| Official website | www.milb.com |
The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a professional baseball league in the Western United States. It is part of Minor League Baseball, which is a step below Major League Baseball (MLB). The PCL is one of two leagues at the Triple-A level, which is the highest level in the minor leagues.
For many years in the early 1900s, the PCL was a very important baseball league. It was almost like a major league because there were no MLB teams on the West Coast. Many famous players, like Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams, played in the PCL before they became big stars. In 1958, when MLB teams moved to the West Coast, the PCL changed. Its teams became "farm teams" for major league clubs, helping to train new players.
The PCL determines a champion at the end of each season. The San Francisco Seals have won the most titles, with 14 championships. The Los Angeles Angels won 12 titles, and the Albuquerque Dukes and Portland Beavers each won 8.
Contents
History of the PCL
How the League Started
The Pacific Coast League began on December 29, 1902. Baseball officials met in San Francisco to create a new league that would include teams beyond just California. Six teams were formed: the Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Oaks, Portland Beavers, Sacramento Senators, San Francisco Seals, and Seattle Indians.
At first, the PCL was called an "outlaw league" by the main minor league organization. This was because of disagreements over team areas and allowing certain players to join. However, in 1904, the PCL joined the official minor league system.
Long Seasons and Star Players
The mild weather on the West Coast meant PCL teams could play longer seasons. Sometimes they played from late February until December! Teams often played between 170 and 200 games each season until the late 1950s. This helped players improve their skills and earn more money. It also meant that many minor league records for things like hits or wins were set by PCL players.
The first PCL season in 1903 had over 200 games for each team. The Los Angeles Angels finished in first place, becoming the first league champions. In 1909, the league was upgraded to Double-A, a higher level. The 1920s were a great time for the PCL, with more fans coming to games and many star players.
Even during the Great Depression in the 1930s, the PCL still had top players like Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. Night games also started, helping more fans attend. The first night baseball game was played in Sacramento on June 10, 1930, five years before any major league team played at night.
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Almost a Major League
For the first half of the 1900s, the PCL was one of the best regional baseball leagues. Since there were no major league teams west of St. Louis, the PCL was the top baseball league on the West Coast. Many people thought its quality of play was very high. It produced many future Hall of Fame players, including Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams.
After World War II, the PCL even voted to become a major league. However, the American League and National League did not want them to join.
In 1952, the PCL was given a special "Open" classification. This was a level above Triple-A. It meant major league teams had limited rights to take players from the PCL. This was seen as a step towards the PCL becoming a third major league.
Changes and Decline
The dream of becoming a major league ended in 1958. This was when the first MLB teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, moved to the West Coast. Many PCL teams had to move to smaller cities. For example, the Los Angeles Angels, Hollywood Stars, and San Francisco Seals all relocated.
The PCL also lost fans because people could now watch major league games on television. The league went back to being Triple-A in 1958 and became just another minor league.
Expanding Across the Country
Starting in the 1950s, the PCL began to spread out. Before this, Salt Lake City was the farthest east a team had been. In 1956, the Oakland Oaks moved to Canada and became the Vancouver Mounties, the league's first international team. Other teams moved to places like Spokane, Phoenix, and later to cities like Dallas, Denver, and Indianapolis.
By 1998, the PCL grew even more. It added five teams from another league that was closing down, the American Association. This meant the PCL stretched from Western Washington all the way to Middle Tennessee. Even though it's called the "Pacific Coast League," half of its teams are now east of the Rocky Mountains.
In the early 2000s, the PCL no longer had teams in Canada. In 2005, the PCL became the first minor league to have over 7 million fans attend games in one season!
Major League Baseball Takes Over
The 2020 baseball season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Major League Baseball took over the minor leagues. The Pacific Coast League was reduced to 10 teams and was temporarily called the "Triple-A West." Some teams moved to other leagues.
In 2022, the league went back to its original name, the Pacific Coast League.
How the League Works
Season and Divisions
The PCL is divided into two groups: the East Division and the West Division. Each division has five teams. As of the 2025 season, all teams play 150 games. The season starts in late March and ends in late September.
Players and Salaries
The Pacific Coast League has rules about how much money teams can spend on player salaries. For the 2025 season, teams can spend up to $1,610,000 on player pay. The lowest salary a player can earn is $35,800 per year. For younger players (23 and under), only half of their salary counts towards the team's spending limit. There are also rules for how much can be spent on coaches.
Teams can have up to 28 players on their roster when the season begins.
Championship Games
Since 2023, the regular season is split into two halves. The winners of each half play in a best-of-three series to decide the PCL champion.
The PCL champion then plays against the champion of the International League in the Triple-A National Championship Game. This is a single game that decides the overall champion of Triple-A baseball. This game has been played every year since 2006, except for 2020 and 2021.
The PCL also used to have an Triple-A All-Star Game. This game usually happened the day after the major league All-Star Game. It was a fun event that marked the middle of the season.
PCL Teams
| Division | Team | Founded | MLB affiliation | Affiliated | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East | Albuquerque Isotopes | 2003 | Colorado Rockies | 2015 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park | 13,500 |
| El Paso Chihuahuas | 2014 | San Diego Padres | 2014 | El Paso, Texas | Southwest University Park | 9,500 | |
| Oklahoma City Comets | 1962 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2015 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark | 9,000 | |
| Round Rock Express | 2000 | Texas Rangers | 2021 | Round Rock, Texas | Dell Diamond | 11,631 | |
| Sugar Land Space Cowboys | 2012 | Houston Astros | 2021 | Sugar Land, Texas | Constellation Field | 7,500 | |
| West | Las Vegas Aviators | 1983 | Athletics | 2019 | Summerlin South, Nevada | Las Vegas Ballpark | 10,000 |
| Reno Aces | 2009 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 2009 | Reno, Nevada | Greater Nevada Field | 9,013 | |
| Sacramento River Cats | 2000 | San Francisco Giants | 2015 | West Sacramento, California | Sutter Health Park | 14,014 | |
| Salt Lake Bees | 1994 | Los Angeles Angels | 2001 | South Jordan, Utah | Daybreak Field at America First Square | 6,500 | |
| Tacoma Rainiers | 1960 | Seattle Mariners | 1995 | Tacoma, Washington | Cheney Stadium | 6,500 |
Rules of the Game
The Pacific Coast League follows the same rules as Major League Baseball. Before 2022, there was a difference with the designated hitter (DH) rule. Sometimes, pitchers would hit instead of a DH, depending on which major league team their club was connected to. Now, the DH is always used in MLB, so this is no longer an issue for the PCL.
The PCL also uses rules to make games faster. There is a pitch clock that gives pitchers a certain amount of time to throw the ball. Teams are also limited to how many times they can visit the pitcher on the mound during a game. Pitchers must also face at least three batters before they can be taken out of the game, unless they get hurt.
Awards and Hall of Fame
The PCL gives out awards to its best players and team staff each year.
MVP Award
The Most Valuable Player Award started in 1927. It goes to the best player in the league. Team managers, general managers, broadcasters, and media members vote for this award.
Pitcher of the Year Award
The Pitcher of the Year Award recognizes the league's best pitcher. It has been given out regularly since 2001.
Top MLB Prospect Award
The Top MLB Prospect Award is for the best player who has not played in the PCL before. It was first given in 1952.
Manager of the Year Award
The Manager of the Year Award started in 1967. It is given to the league's top manager.
Hall of Fame
The Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame was created in 1942. It honors players, managers, and team leaders who have made important contributions to the league. The Hall of Fame stopped adding members after 1957 but started again in 2003, for the PCL's 100th anniversary. New members are now chosen before each season begins.
Images for kids
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The official logo of the Pacific Coast League.
See also
In Spanish: Pacific Coast League para niños
