Out of Yuma, Arizona comes the new Arizona Summer League (ASL). The showcase league is 20 games or one month in length and is specifically meant for recent collegiate graduates and pro free agents. The summers league's main purpose is as follows: To provide professional baseball players and top collegiate graduates a summer showcase instructional league to be able to compete for pro jobs. To assess and select players to join the roster of teams in the 2009 Golden Baseball League Championship season.

Administered by the Golden Baseball League, this four team instructional league will be led by professional staff members and managers with professional experience, who when the four team season is done, is going to place its top players with pro teams. According to Commissioner Kevin Outcalt, of all summer leagues in existence the Arizona Winter League has been the most successful, "the Arizona Winter League has been the most successful showcase league to land players pro jobs in the off-season and I expect that the Arizona Summer League will do the same during the season." The Winter League has, at present time, has seen more than 200 players sign pro contracts within the last three years. The purpose of the summer leagues is to supply major league, minor league and foreign league rosters with players so that they have the ability to re-stock and re-load the lineups throughout the season. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for players looking to reenergize their careers.

In total, 100 players will be selected to be showcased in this one-month long season, with 10 players guaranteed roster spots within organizations within the Golden Baseball League, including an option for the 2010 season. According to the Golden Baseball League Website, the teams will be managed by, Major League star and Japan League MVP Warren Cromartie, two-time Major League All-Star and independent manager Ozzie Virgil, Major Leaguer and Washington Nationals minor league pitching coach Rusty Meacham, and minor league all-star and Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers minor league manager Benny Castillo. In addition, other instructors will include Major League All-Star and 2-time World Series champ Mike Marshall, Boston Red Sox scout and baserunning guru Nick Belmonte, and legendary college and minor league coach Shannon Hunt.

Select Read More to see details of the new Arizona Summer League by the GBL

With the feel of an actual minor league season, there are some specifics designated for this league only; please find below the details:

• 25-man Rosters: First 100 players to register will play
• 4 Team League playing 20 games plus playoffs and championship
• 3 Day "Spring Training" starting June 28, 2009
• 4 Teams selected with Opening Night on July 2, 2009
• Four week season ends with Championship Game on July 25, 2009
• Players retain their contract rights and may be signed as free agents at anytime during the ASL and report to their professional team. At conclusion of the Arizona Summer League, at least 10 players guaranteed to be signed to Golden Baseball League professional contracts for the remainder of the 2009 season with an option for 2010.
• Scouts representing major league organizations, the Golden League, the American Association, the Can-Am League, the Frontier League, the Mexican Summer League, the Liga Norte Sonora, the Colombian Winter League, and the Japan Independent Leagues have all confirmed attendance.
• Scouts from the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, and Philadelphia Phillies have already confirmed attendance with many more expected. The Arizona Winter League typically has 15-20 major league scouts attend and the ASL can expect similar coverage.
• Each day, games will be played at Desert Sun Stadium in the Ray Kroc Complex, former home of the San Diego Padres and Yakult Swallows spring training, in Yuma, Arizona. The complex has four fields, including the 7,500 seat Desert Sun Stadium, plus a major league clubhouse with locker rooms for all four teams, and a fully stocked training room.
• Coverage in the Yuma Sun, the local newspaper, including feature stories, daily game stories, and standings.
• Game/Player statistics will be reported to and listed by ESPN Sports Ticker and will be emailed weekly to all major league Minor League Operations Directors. All major league scouting Directors have been invited to attend.
• Many weekend games will have the complete Minor League experience at the ballpark including fans, mascots, mid-inning promotions, player autograph sessions, etc. Players are also active in the community with youth groups, visits to the children's hospital, sponsor appearances, etc.
• Monday Night Pro Player Academy sessions that cover pro contracts, finding an agent, contact info for all independent and major league organizations, playing overseas, marketing yourself to player personnel directors, etc.

Rules:

• Players must have minor league or collegiate experience.
• Player must be 18 years or older at the start of the league (June 28, 2009)

Fees:

• $3,300 for Season ($1,000 minimum due with registration, balance of $2,300 on June 1st.). Receive a $400 discount for payment in full with registration.
• Includes all instructor fees
• Includes all Pro Player Academy consulting fees
• Includes all lodging and meals for 28 days.
• Uniforms, workout gear, bags, bats, catcher's gear all provided.
• Players are responsible for their own transportation to and from Yuma, Arizona.
• Your registration is a firm commitment to participate in the Arizona Summer League. Cancellations will not result in a refund since your registration removes a roster spot.
• Players are responsible for their own medical coverage.
• All position players play every game.

Not only will the players have to be in top game shape for the quickly approaching June 28th start date, and the majority of the players already in mid-season form, the summer league will also have the look and feel of a traditional minor league schedule with a Championship game, typical fan giveaways, game day promotions and team mascots. If the success of the Winter League carries over, fans at the Ray Kroc Complex and Desert Sun Stadium will be pleasantly surprised with a fast paced, yet fulfilling experience.

Comments (11)

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Who can attend???
written by Luis Rodriguez Jr., May 31, 2009

I received an email saying there were a few spots available but as I read the requirements, Its says you need collegiate/minor league experience. I only played semi-pro ball, does anyone know if I would be able to still join the ASL & play?

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Arizona Scam League
written by Bobby topper, July 16, 2009

This league is nothing but a shoddy rip off. All the things they promised to do have not been done. The so called meetings on monday nights with Pro Players Academy, they have not had 1 meeting yet, and the community service the players are supposed to do, again nothing.Nothing reported to ESPN.Not all position players play each game, which was stated they would. People don't waste your hard earned money on this league, All they want is the money to help support the Yuma Scorpions, who suck and I don't think they could beat a Div 2 baseball team.

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independent
written by joe unhappy, July 16, 2009

Had made the mistake of sending my son out to Yuma hoping for a rewarding and skills development. But, only three teams that play each other. NO stats updates. Scoring is poor by the offical scorer. Field is no better that a JV high school field. NO meals for the evening, no meeting of the town folks, just hot air. I still hoping that someone (scout) is still watching the young men play. They play for the love of the game hoping to move to the next level. A lot of money and travel across country to play in front of scouts and coaches of independent teams and no one shows up? Again, maybe it will develop into a top noch program. Wishing for the best. But, my son wants to go to the next level and will work hard. Putting in extra hitting and fielding is out of the questions with instructure leaving after the games. Be kind to the young men who want to believe in this league.

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Pro players Academy
written by Bobby topper, July 17, 2009

Just a update, Pro players academy is based in bakersfield CA. All they do is evaluate players they do not help with agents, contracts, how to market a player to other teams. In response to Joe unhappy, I'm being kind to the young men by telling them the truth before they or there parents make such a large investment. In these time 3,000 dollars is alot of money, to what have dinner at the Wienershcnitzel hot dog stand? C'mon Joe gimme a break these kids got ripped off, plain and simple.

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...
written by A player in the ASL, July 24, 2009

most of it is bullsh*t ..
especially for the scouts

wish i could go back in time and saved my money.

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stop complaining
written by Adam Wood, August 29, 2009

For you few players out there that "wished you'd saved your money" maybe had you performed better at the ASL you wouldn't be regretting the trip. Take the game seriously, practice, and stop making excuses for your shortcomings.

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written by bobby topper, September 09, 2009

Hey stop complaining, more people should complain, practicing and take the game seriously, these people did maybe if ASL did what they promised people would not feel like they got ripped off! And as far as taking the game seriously, i believe they do otherwise why would they spend 3,000 and travel from around the country? It sound like you must be part of there staff or connected somehow. You were not there playing every day, and when did you go to the so-called meetings on monday night? oh that's right they did not have any! And when did you meet with Pro Players Academy? you did'nt because they were not there! Look people would not b***h if ASL just did what they promised, plain and simple. They fell very short in that regards even you can't argue that.

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written by Baseballa j, November 03, 2009

welli was planning on doing this league but thanks for the heads up. anybody know of anything similar thats lajitimate in florida.?

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dhiman
written by deep prakash singh, December 18, 2009

i want large land

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written by bdbll4life, June 02, 2010

and i really thought about going there it all seems too good to be true but yet again they sauce this up to be something that it isnt.. i guess ill keep my 3,500 and tryout somewere else.. anyone have any idea were i can go that is similar to this???

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same camp run better
written by new camp, August 10, 2011

Keep a look out for a new camp being set-up by the disgruntled coaches/managers. They know this can be done right. Look for the camps first stop in 2012. This will be equivalent to MLB spring training with a minimal cost

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