THAT’S THE TICKET
With some fans complaining that it is getting more difficult to take their family to more than one Dodgers or Angels game a year because of the expense involved, a low-cost alternative is often overlooked. The California League, which is a Class A league, has four teams in Southern California, all of which offer traditional minor league entertainment: mascots, between-inning games, video board quizzes and more, all for the cost of admission, which is frequently under $10 a ticket. Here’s a look at the four area Cal League teams.
Inland Empire 66ers
Began in San Bernardino: 1987 Affiliate: Angels Previous affiliates: Seattle Mariners (1987-91), Independent (1993-94), Dodgers (1995-2000), Seattle (2001-06), Dodgers (2007-10). Owner: Elmore Sports Group Stadium: San Manuel Stadium Stadium notes: The San Bernardino Valley junior college baseball team also uses the stadium for its home games. Capacity: 8,000 Website: www.ie66ers.com 2018 promotional highlights and giveaways: Hangar 24 beer stein (April 7), Mike Trout blanket (April 21), Mike Trout bobblehead (May 26 and Aug. 11), Stranger Things Night (July 6), Star Wars Night and Adrian Beltre bobblehead (Aug. 4), Will Smith 50th birthday bash and fireworks (Aug. 24). Notable alumni Ken Griffey Jr.: Played in 1988 Paul Konerko: 1995 Felix Hernandez: 2004 Adrian Beltre: 1996 Ted Lilly: 1997 Cal League championships: 1995, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2013 Coaching staff: Manager Ryan Barba, hitting coach Brian Betancourth, pitching coach Chris Seddon. Mascot name: Bernie
Lake Elsinore Storm
Began in Lake Elsinore: 1994 Affiliate: San Diego Padres Previous affiliates: Angels (1994-2000). Owner: Gary E. Jacobs, Storm LP Stadium: Lake Elsinore Diamond Stadium notes: In December 2017, the field was covered with 150,000 square feet of dirt so it could host an off-road truck championship. Capacity: 7,866 Website: www.stormbaseball.com 2018 promotional highlights and giveaways: The Big Lebowski Night (May 10), GEEKend5 featuring Superhero Night, Star Wars Night and Gamer Day (June 14-17), Lucky loser: Part-Twozer — Fans can bring items such as bad report cards, traffic tickets and college rejection letters to receive discounts on tickets (July 5), HOFfmanNight will honor former Padres closer Trevor Hoffman and fans will receive a Hoffman jersey (July 20), Simpsons Night (Aug. 9). Notable alumni Darin Erstad: played in 1995 John Lackey: 2000 Francisco Rodriguez: 2000 Jake Peavy: 2001 Corey Kluber: 2008 Cal League championships: 1996, 2001, 2011. Coaching staff: Manager Edwin Rodriguez, hitting coach Doug Banks, pitching coach Pete Zamora, coach Freddy Flores. Mascot name: Thunder
Lancaster Jethawks
Began in Lancaster: 1996 Affiliate: Colorado Rockies
Previous affiliates: Seattle Mariners (1996-2000), Arizona Diamondbacks (2001-06), Boston Red Sox (2007-08), Houston Astros (2009-16). Owner: Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney. Stadium: The Hangar
Stadium notes: Because of Lancaster’s aerospace legacy, the stadium has an F/A-18 Hornet mounted on display at the front entrance. Capacity: 6,860 Website: www.jethawks.com 2018 promotional highlights and giveaways: All-Star game duffle bag (April 28th), Jurassic ParkSafari Hat night (June 9th), World Cup Weekend-JetHawks soccer jersey giveaway (June 23), Star Wars beach towel (July 14th), Harry Potter Night with Golden Snitch baseball giveaway (July 28th), UCLA vs. USC Night-football jersey giveaway (Aug. 25). Notable alumni Jose Cruz Jr.: played in 1996 Brian Fuentes: 1998 Brandon Webb: 2001 Miguel Montero: 2005 Mark Reynolds: 2006 Cal League championships: 2012, 2014.
Coaching staff: Manager Fred Ocasio, pitching coach Dave Burba. Mascot name: Kaboom.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Began in Rancho Cucamonga: 1993 Affiliate: Dodgers Previous affiliates: San Diego Padres (1993-2000), Angels (2001-10). Owner: George Brett and Bobby Brett, Brett Sports and Entertainment. Stadium: LoanMart Field. Stadium notes: When it first opened, LoanMart Field was named the Epicenter, a name many Quakes fans still use. Capacity: 6,588 Website: www.rcquakes.com 2018 promotional highlights and giveaways: Cody Bellinger replica jersey (April 14), Corey Seager bobblehead (April 25), Cody Bellinger bobblehead (May 18), Star Wars night with fireworks and jersey auction (May 12), Justin Turner bobblehead (June 18), Enrique Hernandez bobblehead (June 29). Notable alumni Mike Napoli: played in 2001, 2003-04 Ervin Santana: 2003 Howie Kendrick: 2005 Matt Shoemaker: 2009-10 Garrett Richards: 2010 Mike Trout: 2010 Yasiel Puig: 2012 Joc Pederson: 2013 Corey Seager: 2013-14 Julio Urias: 2014-15 Cody Bellinger: 2015 Cal League championships: 1994, 2015. Coaching staff: Manager Drew Saylor, hitting coach Justin Viele, pitching coach Connor McGuinness, coach Pedro Montero. Mascot name: Tremor