Menlo Park, CA - The Golden Baseball League today announced its plans to start a new independent baseball league for the 2005 season in California and western Arizona.

"We are excited about bringing professional baseball back to communities across California and western Arizona," said League Founder, David Kaval. "It is our vision to give every child in California the chance to grow up watching professional baseball."

Kaval, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is a Silicon Valley businessman with a passion for baseball. He co-authored a book, "The Summer that Saved Baseball" about his trip to visit all 30 major league ballparks in a mere 38 days.

The League will start with six teams playing a 90 game season at the single-A level. Over time the League will expand to ten to twelve teams.

"California is a great market for minor league baseball. The weather, the availability of talent, and the history of baseball make it a natural fit for more minor league baseball," Kaval said.

Players will come from junior and four-year colleges, with a small number of experienced minor and major league veterans including players from Japan and Korea rounding out the rosters.

The League is in discussions with numerous municipalities across the state about becoming charter members of the League.

"Minor league baseball is not only America's pastime but also good low cost family entertainment," Kaval said. "A family of four can see a game with mid inning promotions, giveaways, and some tasty ballpark food for under $40."

Charter cities will be announced next summer and the first pitch will be in June of 2005.

"We wanted to make sure we had at least 18 months to plan and launch the League," Kaval stressed from his offices in Menlo Park, CA. "As we have seen with the successful Atlantic and Northern Leagues, it is imperative to start out right. A long lead time makes that possible." Kaval adds, "We are going to create one of the premier independent leagues in the nation."

The Golden League will have a single entity ownership structure whereby the League owns all the teams, similar to Major League Soccer and the Central Baseball League. The centralized ownership group will provide the financial stability needed to ensure the long term success of the League.

The League has assembled an expert Advisory Council that includes Craig Landis (Sports Agent at Reich, Katz, and Landis Baseball Group), Paul Deese (Founder of the Alaskan Summer League and Former President of the National Baseball Congress), Byron Pierce (Founder and ex-President of the Central Baseball League), Burt Boltuch (ex-owner of the Modesto Athletics), and Matt Jones (GM of the River City Rascals of the Frontier League).

ABOUT THE GOLDEN LEAGUE

The Golden League is a new professional baseball league at the single-A level. The League will play a 90 game season in California and western Arizona starting in June 2005. The League has a single entity ownership structure whereby the teams are all owned by the League like Major League Soccer or the Central Baseball League.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Golden Baseball League
600 Willow Road Suite 9
Menlo Park, CA 94025
info@goldenbaseball.com
650-784-3635




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