California Winter League baseball returns to Palm Springs following COVID-19 hiatus

Andrew L. John, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·2 min read
California Winter League baseball returns to Palm Springs for the first time since 2020.
California Winter League baseball returns to Palm Springs for the first time since 2020.

Following a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, California Winter League baseball returns this week to Palm Springs. The league’s 13th season kicks off with three games Friday, starting at 9 a.m.

Games will run daily, between six teams, at Palm Springs Stadium. The season will run until the championship game Feb. 15.

“I’m looking forward to having our fans back out in the grandstands after 2021 not being allowed to have fans,” said Andrew Starke, the president of the CWL. “We’re excited to welcome them back to the stadium.”

The CWL is a developmental baseball league, consisting primarily of college and minor league baseball players looking to catch on with a professional baseball team. Dozens of players over the years have been signed to contracts by professional clubs, including MLB organizations.

Scouts from several of those organizations often travel to Palm Springs to watch games with the fans at a time when the weather is ideal in the Coachella Valley.

Due to state restrictions pertaining to large gatherings, the league was not permitted to hold games last winter. Instead, a smaller number of players came to Palm Springs to train yet were unable to take the field for official games.

“The modifications we had to make to fall within the rules of the state of California were challenging,” Starke said, “but we’re excited to be back out playing baseball and letting these guys play the game that they love and have played their entire lives.”

Every Monday will be Locals Day, which grants valley residents $5 admission. Tuesdays will be 2-for-1 admission; Thursdays will be $5 admission for those from out of town; Fridays will be $5 admission for Canadian residents; Saturdays will be $2 Beer Day and Sundays will be $1 admission.

The full schedule of games can be found on the CWL website, www.californiawinterleague.com. More information is available by calling (760) 778-44-87.

Palm Springs Stadium is located at 1901 E. Baristo Road, adjacent to Palm Springs High School.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California Winter League baseball returns following two-year absence