S. Calif Minor League Parks

The Southern California region is home to several clubs that compete within the California League, a 10-team Class A Advanced circuit.

The quartet of Cal League teams: the Lancaster JetHawks, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Inland Empire 66ers and Lake Elsinore Storm are located in close proximity to Los Angeles County, these clubs are surrounded by points of interest that feel worlds removed from the glitz, grime and endless urban sprawl that characterize the City of Angels.
Lancaster JetHawks (Lancaster, Calif.)
Edwards Air Force Base (AP) Located approximately 70 miles north of Los Angeles, the city of Lancaster has more than quadrupled in size since its 1977 incorporation. The reason for this population boom -- the town now has nearly 150,000 residents -- can be best summed up in one word: Aerospace.
Many of Lancaster's residents work within the aerospace industry, as the region is home to Edwards Air Force Base as well as headquarters for both Boeing and Lockheed. So when visiting the area, why not engage in some high-flying adventures (metaphorically speaking, at least)?
The aforementioned Edwards Air Force Base is truly gargantuan, home to over 1,500 military families as well as a wide array of research and testing facilities. Tours, which include stops at the Air Force Flight Center Test Museum and the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, are offered year-round.
Aviation history can be further explored in Palmdale, located just south of Lancaster proper. There, one will find the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark. The open-air facility currently features 14 full-size military aircraft on display, as well as scale models of others. A visit to the Airpark can be coupled with a trip to the paradoxically named Drytown Water Park, home of the dizzying spectacle that is the Devil's Punch Bowl Water Slide.
But some might want to go in another direction, both literally and metaphorically. In that case, head northeast to Boron. Home of the largest borax mine in the world, this windswept town (population 2,000) boasts another aviation attraction in the form of the Colonel Vernon P. Saxon Aerospace Museum. And located right next door is the Twenty Mule Team Museum, dedicated to preserving the history of borax mining. Other fun facts about Boron: "Erin Brockovich" was filmed there, and one of its most notable residents was "Walking" George Swain (a celebrated eccentric who walked everywhere he went and was rumored to sleep in a hole in the desert).
And then there are the JetHawks who play at 13-year-old Clear Channel Stadium. This is one of the most offense-friendly facilities in the league, thanks in no small part to the region's exceedingly windy conditions (in the past, the team has staged "Tumbleweed Tuesdays" promotions, in which the ticket price is determined according to the day's wind speed). The club is entering its second season as a Houston Astros affiliate after a two-year stint with the Boston Red Sox.
RanchoCucamongaQuakes/InlandEmpire 66ers The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and San Bernardino-based Inland Empire 66ers are located within a 20-minute drive of one another, so it hardly seems fair to include one without the other. Whether one visits one or both clubs will, of course, have much to do with scheduling (both yours and theirs). In either case, the southeasterly drive from Lancaster offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
For located directly south of Lancaster is Angeles National Forest, featuring over 650,000 acres of federally protected land. Described on its Web site as "the backyard playground to the huge metropolitan area of Los Angeles," the forest features nearly limitless hiking, boating and camping possibilities. The San Gabriel Mountains, which serve as a barrier between Los Angeles and the Mojave Desert, are located within this forest preserve as well. The highest peak in the range, topping 10,000 feet, is similar to Don Zimmer in that it is referred to as "Mount Baldy."
In a very similar vein is the 800,000-acre San Bernardino National Forest, located directly east of Angeles National Forest. Opportunities abound, from fishing to picnicking to scenic drives. Nearly an eighth of the forest is comprised of old-growth vegetation, including White Firs and Ponderosa Pines.
As for San Bernardino itself, one of the attractions to be found therein is the aforementioned 66ers (named in honor of historic Route 66, that most iconic of road trip travel routes). Since 1996, the Dodgers affiliate has played at Arrowhead Credit Union Park, a 5,000-seat facility that offers a gorgeous mountain view beyond the outfield fence.
Located a short drive west are the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, so named because the town is located near several fault lines. The natural disaster-theme extends to the name of the stadium (The Epicenter) and mascot (Tremor), but the gameday environment is far from calamitous. The team, which was once partially owned by actor Mark Harmon ("St. Elsewhere"), regularly sits atop the list of Cal League attendance leaders.
Lake Elsinore Storm (Lake Elsinore, Calif.)
When it comes to things that should never mix, skydiving and wine would be at the top of the list. But those are two of the most intriguing attractions in the Lake Elsinore area (home of the Storm, a Padres affiliate).
Located approximately 35 miles south of San Bernardino, Lake Elsinore is home to Skydive Elsinore. Billing itself as the longest-running skydiving operation in the United States, Skydive Elsinore offers tandem skydiving for beginners as well as comprehensive education courses so that one may someday be able to make solo jumps. And it's no coincidence that this area has become a skydiving mecca, as airflow from the nearby mountains keeps jumpers in the air for a longer period of time.
But maybe jumping out of an airplane from 12,500 feet isn't your thing. Maybe you would rather cultivate a nice buzz in a far more relaxing environment. In that case, head south to Temecula Valley Wine Country. The region is home to over two dozen wineries, offering virtually unlimited sampling opportunities. It may be better to leave the driving to someone else in such a situation, something that can be easily arranged by booking a spot on the Grapeline Wine Country Shuttle. Riders on the Grapeline can imbibe without care while cruising through one of the nation's premier viticultural areas.
But make sure to make it back to Lake Elsinore in time for the ballgame. The Storm, who play in the awkward yet awesomely named stadium, The Diamond, have received nationwide recognition for their trendsetting ecological practices as well as irreverent giveaways and theme nights. Waterless urinals and pop culture-influenced mascot skits, all under one roof, as part of the same evening? It's like a dream come true.

2010 SOUTH ATLANTIC HR TITLE

JARD LEE CLARK PLAYS FOR THE ASHEVILLE TOURISTS(PC: COLORADO)OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE. HE LEAD THE LEAGUE WITH 24 HOMERS IN 110 GAMES WITH A .299 AVG. HE WAS BORN ON 05/09/1986 IN VAN NUYS, CA. COLLEGE: CAL ST. FULLERTON.

Selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 12th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of Cal State-Fullerton. ... Selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 45th round of the 2008 Draft. ... Selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 21st round of the 2007 Draft. ... Parents are Darrell Clark and Sally Ives and stepfather is Rex Ives. ... Has a younger brother, Johnny. ... Nickname is "Diesel."

2010 MIDWEST LEAGUE HR TITLE

NICHOLAS FRANKLIN WAS BORN ON 03/02/1991 IN LONGWOOD, FL. HE LEAD THE SINGLE A MIDWEST LEAGUE WITH 23 HOME RUNS IN 129 GAMES WITH THE CLINTON LUMBERKINGS( PC: SEATTLE).

Selected by the Seattle Mariners in the first round (27th overall) of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. ... Signed by Mariners scout Chuck Carlson. ... Graduated from Lake Brantley (Fla.) High School in June 2009. ... Selected Orlando Sentinel Baseball Player of the Year. ... Member of the 2007 and 2008 USA Baseball Youth National Team that played in Venezuela and Canada.

2010 FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE HR TITLE

MICHAEL MCDADE OF THE PEORIA JARELINAS (PC: TORONTO)HIT 21 HOME RUNS IN 128 GAMES WITH A .267 AVG. BORN IN LAS VEGAS, NV ON 05/08/1989. HE PLAYED IN THE SINGLE A ADVANCED FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE.

Selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth round (205th overall) of the 2007 amateur entry Draft.
Highlights:
Began the season with Class A Lansing, where he hit .194 (42-for-216) with two homers and 19 RBIs in 60 games. ... Went 0-for-18 in five games April 23-29. ... Doubled twice and singled against Dayton on May 14. ... Reassigned to Class A Short-Season Auburn on July 8. ... Batted .257 with three home runs and 27 RBIs in 52 games with the Doubledays. ... Drove in four runs at Hudson Valley on July 16 and went 7-for-17 in the three-game series against the Renegades. ... Went 6-for-9 with a double, home run and five RBIs in back-to-back games against Jamestown Aug. 3-4. ... Suffered a 1-for-27 slump over eight games Aug. 12-23.

2010 CAAROLINA LEAGUE HR TITLE

TYLER MICHAEL MOORE OF THE POTOMAC NATIONALS IN THE CLASS A ADVANCED CAROLINA LEAGUE.
MOORE HIT 31 HOME RUNS IN 129 GAMES WITH A .269 AVG. HE WAS BORN IN BRANDON, MS ON JAN. 30, 1987.

Selected by the Nationals out of Mississippi State University in the 16th round (481st overall) of the June 2008 First-Year Player Draft.
Highlights:2008
Hit .200 with six homers, 28 RBIs and 17 runs scored in 71 games with Class A Short-Season Vermont of the New York-Penn League ... had an RBI and scored a run in his pro debut on June 17 ... homered in back-to-back games on June 28 and 29 ... batted .333 in June.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE 2010 HR TITLE

PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT OF THE SINGLE A ADVANCED CALIFORNIA LEAGUE. HE HAD 35 HOMERS IN 138 GAMES WITH .314 AVG. PLAYS FOR THE VISALIA RAWHIDE (PC: ARIZONA). BORN IN THE WOODLANDS, TX ON 09/10/1987.

Selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth round (246th overall) of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft ... drafted in the 48th round by the L.A. Dodgers in 2006 ... son of David and Kim ... has two siblings, Adam and Rob.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE HR TITLE - 2010

#22 OUTFIELDER CARLOS ANGEL PEGUERO HAD 23 HOMERS IN 130 GAMES TO LEAD THE SOUTHERN LEAGUE (AA) IN HOME RUNS. HE WAS BORN ON 02/22/1987 IN HONDO VALLE, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. PLAYS FOR THE JACKSON GENERALS. PC: SEATTLE
Singed as a non-drafted free agent January 20, 2005 by Mariners scouts Patrick Guerrero and Bob Engle.

Highlights:
Spent season with High Desert...had 17 multi-RBI games, including a season-high 4 RBI, April 3 vs. Lancaster...recorded 4 hitting streak of 7 or more games, including a season-high 11 game hit streak (.426/20x47), June 8-19...recorded season-high 4 hits, June 17 at Lancaster...placed on the disabled list on July 17 for the remainder of the season, with a sprained left wrist...participated in the Mariners Advance Development League in Peoria.

AA EASTERN LEAGUE HR TITLE FOR 2010

JOEL GUZMAN WAS BORN IN QUISQUEYA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ON 11/24/1984
IRVIN JOEL GUZMAN PLAYED FOR THE BOWIE BAYSOX OF THE DOUBLE A EASTERN LEAGUE. HE LEAD EASTERN LEAGUE WITH 33 HOME RUNS, PLAYED IN 130 GAMES AND HAD 98 RBI'S WITH AN A .279 AVG. HIS PARENT CLUB IS BALTIMORE.

Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Dodgers on July 2, 2001. ... Traded with Sergio Pedroza to the Rays for Julio Lugo on July 31, 2006.

Highlights:2008
Spent the season with Durham, playing in 116 games. ... Hit .248 in 436 at-bats with 23 doubles, 20 home runs and 72 RBIs. ... Went 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs on May 16 against Toledo. ... Hit a home run and drove in three runs during a 3-for-4 outing at Norfolk on June 28. ... Went 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs against Louisville on July 28.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE BATTING TITLE FOR 2010

MINOR LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR MARK TRUMBO OF THE SALT LAKE CITY TRIPLE A PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE HIT 36 HOMERS IN 139 GAMES TO LEAD ALL MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS IN 2010.
MARK KANIEL TRUMBO WAS BORN IN ANAHEIM, CA. ON 01/16/1986. HE HAD 122 RBI'S AND AN AVG. OF 301. HE WAS CALLED UP BY THE ANGELS AND PLAYED THE LAST 8 GAMES OF THE ANGELS SEASON. HIS MLB STATS: GP:8 HITS:0 RBI'S: 2 AVG. .067
HE IS CURRENTLY PLAYING WINTER BALL.

Selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 18th round (533rd overall) of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft out of Villa Park (Calif.) High School.

Highlights: 2008
Split the season between the Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and the Double-A Arkansas Travelers of the Texas League. ... Collected four RBIs, scored two runs and homered for Rancho Cucamonga on April 18. ... Doubled twice and knocked in four runs for Rancho Cucamonga on May 13. ... Homered, doubled and scored three times during a 3-for-5 performance on June 6. ... Went 4-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs for Rancho Cucamonga on July 12. ... In his first Double-A game, on July 28, went 5-for-5 with two home runs, a double, three runs scored and three RBIs. ... Collected 25 RBIs in 32 games for Arkansas.

MEXICAN LEAGUE HOME RUN TITLE FOR 2010

VICTOR ISRAEL DIAZ WAS BORN ON 12/10/1981 IN SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
DIAZ LEAD THE ROJOS del AGUILA de VERACRUZ of THE TRIPLE A MEXICAN LEAGUE.
#30 OUTFIELDER DIAZ ONLY PLAYED IN 105 GAMES AND LEAD THE MEXICAN LEAGUE HITTING 29 HOMERS, 96 RBI'S WITH A .298 AVG.

Southland baseball observers pick their all-time, All-Southland teams July 12, 2010

BILL PLASCHKE is a former baseball writer who is now an award-winning general columnist for The Times. His team:

Catcher: Gary Carter, Fullerton Sunny Hills HS. First base: Jackie Robinson, Pasadena Muir HS, UCLA. Second base: Bobby Doerr, Fremont HS. Shortstop: Ozzie Smith, Locke HS. Third base: George Brett, El Segundo HS. Outfielders: Robin Yount, Woodland Hills Taft HS; Duke Snider, Compton HS; Tony Gwynn, Long Beach Poly HS. Designated hitter: Eddie Murray, Locke HS. Right-handed starter: Walter Johnson, Fullerton HS. Left-handed starter: Ila Borders, Whittier Christian HS. Closer: Rollie Fingers, Upland HS.

ROSS NEWHAN is a Hall of Fame baseball writer who worked for the Long Beach Press-Telegram and the Los Angeles Times before his retirement in 2004. His team:

Catcher: Gary Carter, Fullerton Sunny Hills HS. First base: Eddie Murray, Locke HS. Second base: Jackie Robinson, Pasadena Muir HS, UCLA. Shortstop: Ozzie Smith, Locke HS. Third base: George Brett, El Segundo HS. Outfielders: Eric Davis, Fremont HS; Duke Snider, Compton HS; Darryl Strawberry, Crenshaw HS. Designated hitter: Mark McGwire, La Verne Damien HS, USC. Right-handed starter: Walter Johnson, Fullerton HS. Left-handed starter: Randy Johnson, USC. Closer: Trevor Hoffman, Savanna HS, Cypress College.

DENNIS GILBERT is a former L.A.-based agent who has been a front-office consultant to the Chicago White Sox. A former minor leaguer in the Boston Red Sox system, he played with or represented several of his selections. His team:

Catcher: Bob Watson, Fremont HS. First base: Eddie Murray, Locke HS. Second base: Jackie Robinson, Pasadena Muir HS, UCLA. Shortstop: Bobby Grich, Long Beach Wilson HS. Third base: George Brett, El Segundo HS. Outfielders: Bobby Tolan, Fremont HS; Eric Davis, Fremont HS; George Foster, Lawndale Leuzinger HS, El Camino College. Designated hitter: Darryl Strawberry, Crenshaw HS. Right-handed starter: Bret Saberhagen, Reseda Cleveland HS. Left-handed starter: Randy Johnson, USC. Closer: Rollie Fingers, Upland HS.

TERRY CANNON is executive director of the Baseball Reliquary, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering an appreciation of American art and culture through the context of baseball history. He concentrated largely on contributions to the game beyond statistics. His team:

Catcher: Greg Goossen, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame HS. First base: Chuck Stevens, Long Beach Poly HS. Second base: Jimmie Reese, San Pedro Rolling Hills Prep. Shortstop: Jackie Robinson, Pasadena Muir HS. Third base: Isidro "Chilo" Herrera, L.A. Roosevelt HS. Outfielders: Nate Moreland, Pasadena Muir HS; Forrest "Frosty" Kennedy, El Monte HS; Melo Almada, Los Angeles HS. Designated hitter: Pete Mitsui, San Fernando HS. Right-handed starter: Doc Ellis, Gardena HS. Left-handed starter: Ila Borders, Whittier Christian HS. Closer: Hank Aguirre, Alhambra Mark Keppel HS.

............Bill.......Terry....... Ross........Dennis
Catcher...G. Carter....G. Goossen...G. Carter....B. Watson
1B........J. RobinsonC.Stevens......E. Murray....E. Murray
2B........B. Doerr.....J. Reese.....J. Robinson..J. Robinson
3B........G. Brett.....I. Herrera...G. Brett.....G. Brett
SS........O. Smith.....J. Robinson..O. Smith.....B. Grich
OF........R. Yount.... N. Moreland..E. Davis.....B. Tolan
OF........D. Snider....F. Kennedy...D. Snider....E. Davis
OF........T. Gwynn.... M. Almada....D. Strawberry.G. Foster
DH........E. Murray....P. Mitsui....M. McGuire...D. Strawberry
RHS.......W. Johnson...E. Ellis.....W. Johnson...B. Sabeihagen
LHS.......I Borders....I. Borders...R. Johnson...R. Johnson
Closer....R. Fingers...H. Aquire....T. Hoffman...R. Fingers.

DAN JOHNSON

WE WILL NOW PROFILE THE HOME RUN LEADER OF EACH OF THE LEAGUES OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.


DANIEL RYAN JOHNSON- PLAYED FOR THE DURHAM BULLS AND LEAD THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE WITH 30 HOME RUNS. HE HIT 95 RBI'S IN 98 GAMES WITH A .303 AVG. JOHNSON WAS BORN ON AUG. 10, 1979 IN COON RAPIDS, MN.

DAN JOHNSON WAS PULLED UP ON AUG. 3 @MINNISOTA AND PLAYED HIS LAST GAME @KANSAS CITY. HE PLAYED A TOTAL OF 40 GAMES AND HIT 7 HOME RUNS AND HAD A BATTING AVG. OF .198. HIS MAJOR LEAGUE STATES ARE:
YEAR....TEAM...GP...HR...BA.
2005....OAK...109...15...275
2006....OAK....91....9...234
2007....OAK...117...18...236
2008....OAK.....1....0...000
2008....TB.....10....2...192
2010....TB.....40....7...198

Selected in the seventh round of the June, 2001 draft...attended the University of Nebraska...was an All-Big 12 selection at first base in 2000 after hitting .368 with a league leading 21 home runs...was a second team All-America selection by Baseball America in his senior season in 2001 after hitting .361 with 25 HR and 86 RBI...tied for the lead among all NCAA Division I hitters in walks (63), ranked second in RBI and was tied for second in home runs...was All-Big 12 for the second consecutive season, leading the league in home runs, RBI and runs scored (77).

FINIAL HOME RUN STANDINGS FOR 2010

PAUL KONERKO / CHCAGO WHITE SOX


JOSE BAUTISTA / TORANTO BLUE JAYS


PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT / VISALLA RAWHIDE CALIF. A ADV. PT: ARIZONA


MARK TRUMBO / SALT LAKE BEE'S PCL AAA PR: LA ANGLES


ADAM DUNN / WASHINGTON


ONLY PLAYERS WITH 35 OR MORE HOME RUNS LISTED

HR..GP..RBI...BB...SO...AVG...PLAYER....TEAM
54..161.124..100..116...260...J.BAUTISTA..TOR
42..159..118.103...76...312...A.PUJOLS....STL
39..149..111..72..110...312...P.KONERKO...CWS
38..150..126..89...95...328...M.CABRERA...DET
38..158..103..77..199...260...A.DUNN......WSH
37..150..113..91..125...324...J.VOTTO.....CIN
36..139..122..58..126...301...M.TRUMBO....SLC
35..138..108..57..161...314...P.GOLDXCMIDT.VI

WITH THREE GAMES TO GO JOSE BAUTISTA ONLY NEEDS ONE MORE HOME RUN TO MAKE THE ALL MOST LIST. THE ALMOST LIST ARE THE PLAYERS WHO HAVE HIT AT LEAST 55 HOME RUNS, BUT NOT 60.PLAYERS WHO JUST MISSED MAKING THE CLUB.

YEAR---PLAYER-------------------HR
1962 ----RAMIRO CABALLERO----59
2006-----RYAN HOWARD---------58*
1932----JIMMIE FOXX-------------58
1938----HANK GREENBURG-------58
1939----TONY ROBELLO-----------58
1947----BUCK FRIERSON-----------58
1947----D.C. "PUD' MILLER---------57
1947----BILL SERENA--------------57
1930----HACK WILSON------------56
1935----GENE LILLIARD-----------56
1954----FRANK GRAVINO---------56
1957----STEVE BILKO--------------56
11 other players hit 55 HRs
*last player to make list.