California Winter League offers baseball players another opportunity
Baseball is back in Palm Springs as the Power baseball organization enters its 14th year of the California Winter League. For those who don't know, the CWL is a month-long baseball-filled event that not only offers area fans daily action on the diamond but also provides free agent baseball players an opportunity to showcase their talents.
"The California Winter League is a showcase platform for free agent baseball players to get the opportunity to show what they've got," said Andrew Starke, who has been the owner and president of the Palm Springs Power for the last 20 years. "They get to show their skills not over four or five hours, but over four weeks. Not every player can show their true ability in a one-day tryout. This gives all of those players the opportunity to show what they can do to professional managers, coaches and scouts."
More than 200 players from around the world will come to Palm Springs to compete this winter. Each team plays upwards of 20 games from when the season begins Thursday, Jan. 26 through when it concludes Feb. 19. All stadium games will be free to stream on YouTube.
This league is very important to the players involved. One such player is Clay Wisner, who played five seasons of collegiate baseball before recently playing for the Grand Junction Rockies of the Pioneer League, an MLB partner league.
"To get more at bats, to get more live rep, it's a big deal," said Wisner, a third baseman and pitcher in college. "Just getting more reps, more repetitions, and being around guys who want the same thing I want. It's going to be a competitive environment, and I'm ready for it.
On average, 40% of California Winter League players receive a professional contract during or following the season. The CWL saw three alumni make their Major League debut in 2022: Logan Gillespie with the Baltimore Orioles, Bubby Rossman with the Philadelphia Phillies and Luke Barker with the Milwaukee Brewers.
On top of the opportunity to showcase their talents, they also get to escape the harsh winter of other places in the United States and enjoy the beauty of the desert.
"Being able to get out of the northeast is another big deal to be completely honest. I mean it's real cold over there right now," joked Wisner. "I left 22 degrees and snow, and now I'm out here. It's a lot warmer than it was there."
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hosting the CWL has been difficult the last couple of years. In 2021, a training camp was held in place of the league season due to the restrictions, and while the CWL returned last year, the number of players and coaches at the event was smaller than normal. Now with many of the restrictions lifted, this will be the biggest the league has been since 2018.
"Not dealing with the restrictions that the pandemic put on is a big reason why," Starke said. "Having more teams, more players, and more coaches makes it much more enjoyable for everyone involved and all the fans coming out. It gives them more teams to choose for and root on."
This year's daily schedule is loaded with promotions to enhance the fan experience. Every Monday is Locals Day, where anyone with a Coachella Valley ID gets a general admission ticket for $5. There is Two-for-Tuesday, which includes a 2-for-1 general admission ticket deal for fans. All Wednesdays are Wine Wednesday, featuring $4 wines on tap. Thursdays are Out-of-Towners Day, where anyone who comes to the ballpark with an out-of-state ID gets a $5 ticket. The weekdays round out with Canada Day on Fridays, meaning a $5 ticket for anyone with a Canadian ID.
On the weekends, fans can enjoy Suds Saturday at Palm Springs Stadium and grab a $2 beer. Sundays are Family Day, brought to you by Jack in the Box, where all kids under 12 are free. Tickets for all others are $5.
Opening day is Thursday for the 10-team league, with games primarily being held at Palm Springs Stadium. Opening day showcases every team, including two games at Palm Springs Stadium. The British Columbia Bombers and the Washington Blue Sox face off at 10 a.m. followed by the Manitoba North Stars and the Palm Springs Chill at 12:30 p.m.
California Winter League
What: More than 200 players from around the world will comprise 10 teams and play a 20-game schedule.
When: Games played at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. daily from Jan. 26 through Feb. 19.
Where: Games at Palm Springs Stadium and the Palm Springs Auxiliary Field (1901 E. Baristo Rd.)
Cost: General admission for games is $10, and parking at both the pavilion and library is free. All game times and daily promotions can be found at californiawinterleague.com, or on social media.
2023 CWL Important Dates
Jan. 24: MLB Workout Days
Jan. 26: Opening games
Feb. 19: Championship
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California Winter League offers baseball players an opportunity
