Sunday, May 20, 2018

Pacific Association prepares for sixth season

Written by Sterling Bennett
May 31 marks the beginning of the 2018 season for the Pacific Association and the hometown Pittsburg Diamonds. While anticipation builds for the sixth season of Diamonds baseball, the club hosted the league owners to discuss expectations for the upcoming year.

Pittsburg hosted the Pacific Association preseason meeting on May 16

“I’d like to see us be a well-established league that players want to come to,” Pacific Association Commissioner Jonathon Stone said. “We run remarkably similar to the major leagues. We are trying to keep the league competitive. We want to get the best players we can get,” added Stone. "We are only scratching the surface."

In regards to the 2018 season, the Pacific Association will welcome two new teams this season with the Martinez Clippers and Napa Silverados, bringing the league’s total to six. The additions have added excitement and even sparked a new local rivalry.

“The two new teams (Martinez and Napa) are great for the league. We now have a local rivalry with Martinez which adds intensity for the fans and our team,” said Pittsburg Diamonds owner Khurram Shah.

Although the Pittsburg-Martinez rivalry won’t officially begin until June 26. The hometown Diamonds will host the expansion Silverados a couple weeks earlier on June 9.

Silverados owner Bruce Johnstone has high hopes for this season saying, “Our goal on the field is to have a very competitive team and to win the league championship in our first year. Nothing less will do. We also want to showcase our players and their abilities so they have the greatest chance to move into affiliated baseball.”

Johnston also desires to provide a family friendly environment. “Our goal is to create a terrific fan experience, from ease of access to the ballpark, to their experience in the parking lot before the game, and certainly to the action on the field.”

With two new teams set to make their debut this season, Shah has his own goals in mind. “On the field, the goal is to always win a championship. Off the field, from a business standpoint is to get our attendance up and provide a great experience for our fans.”

The Diamonds will open the season with a two-game series in Vallejo against the defending champion Admirals starting May 31. The team will then travel back to Pittsburg for their home opener on June 2 against the Sonoma Stompers.