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Home , Frontier League, High Desert Yardbirds, Jon Edwards (baseball), Monterey Amberjacks

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Two on, two Since its out, bottom of the inception in 2010, Photos by Nic Coury ninth. With the score knotted the Pecos League has been at 2-2, Paul Garcia digs in at the through ups and downs. Last plate. year, however, the league expanded, It’s the Friday night home opener for adding the Monterey squad and experi- the . Maybe a hundred encing perhaps its most stable season, and fans remain and now many of them lean toward headed into 2018 with a sense of security. But the edge of their seats with interest in the game’s everything changed in March, when Congress outcome renewed. The team pushed across runs in passed a federal budget that included an obscure the fifth and sixth innings to even the score, but had item—known as the Save America’s Pastime Act—at offered little threat since. Now, without hitting a ball the behest of major league owners. out of the infield, the Amberjacks have an opportunity Minor leaguers playing for affiliated teams in the to win. Batting ahead of Garcia, Chuck Rocker reached major league system earn salaries that often fall below second on an infield error. The potential game-winning run minimum wage, particularly when overtime—travel, pre- stands on third, in the form of a player named Caldwell—G. game workouts, team meetings—is accounted for. Average Caldwell according to the box score—a pinch hitter who monthly income in the lower reaches of ball was at waited out a 3-2 count and drew a walk, advancing on the $1,100 last year, rising to $2,150 at the AAA level. The budget error. line item came in response to a challenge, calling for minor Caldwell is a new addition to the team. His name does not league players to earn overtime. It allows the major league appear on the Amberjacks roster. A search of his name through teams to continue the existing wage scale with one new provi- the league website comes up blank. sion: Salaries must equal the Fair Labor Standards Act section It’s like that on the lowest rung of . 6(a) minimum wage for a 40-hour week. Teams often share ballfields, some ill-suited to professional That’s not a problem for major league organizations. It is play. Players catch rides with teammates to and from road also doable for the top four independent leagues. But in the games. When at home, they flop in spare bedrooms in the Pecos League, where athletes signed contracts with the league houses or apartments of volunteer host families—if they are rather than individual clubs, salaries were limited to around lucky. (If they’re not, guys must double or triple up in hotel $300 a month. And that’s for full days that may include rooms or a hostel.) Players come and go, through trades, dis- games, meetings, practice, visits to the trainer, public out- missal or frustration. And contracts, which in the past guar- reach programs and travel. anteed barely $250 to $300 a month during the season, are “It’s a major issue in our league,” Pecos League now in question. Commissioner Andrew Dunn says. The Amberjacks are part of the Pecos League, an He adds that some of the independents still believe independent minor league for players ages 25 and the federal budget measure does not apply in their Longball under who are not signed by a major league orga- cases. As news of the Save America’s Pastime inclu- nization. It sits below the systems affiliated with sion trickled out, there was some suggestion that The Monterey Amberjacks begin their the big clubs—AAA, AA and A ball, which is independent leagues might be covered by an itself subdivided into full season and short FLSA clause that exempts seasonal employ- second season with talent, uncertainty, season play. It even sits below the four ers. But, Dunn says, “I would be cau- Monterey “premier” independent leagues, look- tious—it’s federal law.” Amberjacks federal interference, beer—and pitcher Neil Lang ing up at the Frontier, Can-Am The league voided contracts (top left) got credit and Atlantic leagues, as and quickly worked out a $300-a-month salaries. for the home opener win, well as the American new pay scheme. celebrated after the game Association. “We spent By Dave Faries by players and fans alike—players congratulate Paul Garcia and Chuck Rocker moments after the dramatic finish to Friday night’s game (top middle). Below, Lang and Garcia trap a High Desert baserunner in a run down.

24 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY june 7-13, 2018 www.montereycountyweekly.com www.montereycountyweekly.com june 7-13, 2018 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 25 $900,000 on salaries,” Dunn the San Diego Union-Tribune in 2015. “He explains. “All of a sudden we asked if I could get to Phoenix and report can’t do that.” to the Arizona Rookie League. I got to the Now the players are con- airport and hopped on a flight.” sidered independent agents, And shortly after the Pecos League assigned to a Pecos League season began on May 24, McKenna, team which then must figure Alvarez, shortstop William Salas and out a way to raise funds to second baseman Brian Luebcke all were compensate the players. In added to the league’s show team in the the Amberjacks’ case, youth Can-Am League, according to Dunn. baseball camps scheduled on It’s an unusual arrangement: The Salina Fridays and coached by the Stockade play a traveling schedule out players will account for much of their home base in Kansas, playing of the pay. against each of the Can-Am teams— Dunn does not believe games that count on the Can-Am teams’ the congressional deci- record, though the Stockade cannot chal- sion will affect the league’s lenge in the league’s pennant race. The four teams. The Paul crew from Monterey will return to play Amberjacks are off to a Garcia swings their Pecos League contests, as well. at the last pitch respectable 5-7 start after of the night during the “It can be done,” McKenna says, echo- the weekend games, and Amberjacks’ home opener, ing the reason why players are willing to the commissioner refers June 1. His single drove in the start at the bottom. “You gotta want it. to them as one of the winning run. Below: During a You also gotta know when it becomes a lull in the action, Jordan Gray now dealing with “There’s always work,” McKenna says. strongest. But Pecos teams of Edinburgh, Texas, and Tom uncertain pay. “It’s tough to leave your family, but you chore, but it’s not a chore.” entered the season with McKenna from Queens, , “This was the don’t want regrets.” Again, life on this level is tenuous. On three divisions and squads introduce themselves to a new first league to Besides, it can happen. a Monday morning, May 21, when the scattered from Santa Fe, player, the one who would Amberjacks gather for two days of spring eventually score the give me a chance,” scouts noticed outfielder Daniel Nava— New Mexico and Garden game winner. explains center fielder now in his seventh MLB season—after he training at Sollecito ballpark, the scene City, Kansas, to Bakersfield, Chuck Rocker, who was filed a .371 average with an independent is full of the same hope and uncertainty. High Desert and Monterey. Dunn injured during his junior league club. David Peralta played with Tim Cusick strolls toward a number worries that teams in smaller markets year playing for Cornell College three independent teams before being of cargo bags, tossed randomly on the with poor records at mid-season may not in Iowa. “It’s a last chance opportunity.” picked up by the Arizona Diamondbacks, ground. He is cradling a bat, protecting it be able to draw fans and, therefore, be where he hit over .300. Just moving up from damp skies. unable to pay the players. he players did not sign for the to the premier independents is worthy “That was better,” he says to himself Uncertainty has always been a part of money. And they know the of note. Unsigned out of Tennessee Tech, with a slight grin. independent baseball. Since the premier odds. Of college athletes in Michael Morris toiled for three seasons The St. Louis native has just finished was founded in 1993, 25 allT sports, only 2 percent make it to the in the Pecos League. He now plays for his second turn at batting practice. With independent organizations have started professional level. According to some tal- Florence in the Frontier League, consid- an easy swing he drove several balls on a and folded. The Pecos League began as lies, of the roughly 475,000 kids involved ered one of the top independents. Eric tight line into left center—base hits in any a small group of teams in north Texas in high school baseball each year, about Yardley has been advancing through the game. As Cusick tucks his bat away into known as the . 2,375 play pro ball—at any level. organization after a a bag and grabs his glove, another player “It was a disaster,” Dunn recalls. “There are a lot of players out there,” stint in the Pecos—a rocky stretch, cer- heads toward the plate, head covered Brought in to set up a team in Las observes Edilson Alvarez, a pitcher and tainly (his first team folded shortly after against the weather, complaining that Cruces, New Mexico, Dunn soon found manager for the Amberjacks. “Baseball his arrival), but it worked. he forgot to bring anything but a hoodie. himself in charge of a league of teams is a big sport. You have to be in the right “A Padres scout saw me,” Yardley told There is no uniformity: One player dons based in the southwestern desert. place. When you have an opportunity, “That’s a miracle of God that we got it you don’t miss it.” going,” he says. “We got lucky.” Alvarez came out of the Dominican Since its inception, at least 20 Pecos Republic. Selected by the Minnesota League players have been picked up Twins, he spent five years in Class A by other leagues, independent or affili- ball, then played in Mexico, the Can-Am ated. Only two—Jon Edwards and Chris League and Dominican winter ball. He Smith—appeared on major league rosters. switched to the coaching side this season, Edwards pitched 25 innings over two hoping to find a new path to the majors. seasons for the and San He appreciates what independent Diego Padres. Smith pitched a mere five leagues offer. innings for the . “All these guys have a lot of talent,” Some observers on social media have Alvarez says. “They are motivated. They ridiculed the league for this. Only two are hungry. They are hustling. They want players made it, and just for a sip of cof- to show their talent.” fee in the bigs. But to the Amberjacks, Outfielder Tom McKenna starts it shows that two players made it. And his third season in the Pecos League. another 20 or so moved up in the minor He played college ball for St. Joseph’s league system. College in Brooklyn and, like many of the And that’s why they are here, sharing players, holds down an off-season job. He a field, sleeping in guest rooms, packing decided to return after hitting .394 for themselves into cars for road trips and the Tucson Saguaros. 26 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY june 7-13, 2018 www.montereycountyweekly.com a Cubs hat. A second runs past wear- ing his Oral Roberts University T-shirt. Most of the players arrived in Monterey shortly after midnight, grabbing a few hours of sleep before hitting the field. As practice contin- ues, a chain-link gate in centerfield swings open and a private landscap- ing company semi First hauling garden baseman mulch turns Matt Kuhl stretches onto Sollecito for a high throw. Kuhl played his college ball ballpark’s at Culver-Stockton. Far the bottom of the ninth, with the poten- warning track. right: Young fans dance tial game winning run perched on third It rumbles with the Amberjacks’ base on the first day of June—the home along slowly, mascot, known as opener for the Amberjacks. Jack. parking in the “It has baseball lines, but we play Paul Garcia waits on a delivery from Schedule leftfield corner. everything on it,” says Kyle Susic, sports ’ hurler Gregg A crew dismounts, coordinator for the city of Monterey. Gausden, letting it ride past his hands Monterey fires up their equipment and begin to “There’s a lack of green grass in then knocking it low and hard into right Amberjacks spray ground cover on landscaping asso- Monterey. There’s a lack of facilities, so for a base hit. Caldwell scores and the Remaining home games ciated with the playground adjacent to there’s always creative scheduling.” celebration begins. the multi-use stadium—a routine ground- Dunn and the Pecos League agreed “He was throwing curves—I just took skeeping chore taking place on a soggy to work around this. He met with city it the other way,” Garcia says moments June spring morning. officials at the beginning of 2017 and later. “That felt great.” 8 vs California City 6:30pm That the Amberjacks are also on the Monterey City Council agreed in a spring With a smile still wrapping around vs California City field taking batting practice seems of meeting to bring the team in, with a his face, the star of the game headed off 9 6:30pm little concern to the crew. Saturday-Sunday home schedule as all to meet his host family for the first time. 10 vs California City 4pm Baseball at this level is precarious. other dates were booked. During the game, a notice from the pub- 15 vs Bakersfield 6:30pm Earlier in the spring, Cusick had sur- It was short notice, but it worked. lic address announcer that the team was vs Bakersfield vived a series of tryouts that led to this More than 400 fans turned out on open- still in need of host families drew a cheer 16 6:30pm moment. Overlooked by major league ing night and the team drew an average from the Amberjacks’ bench—including 17 vs Bakersfield 4pm clubs after college, he went to work one loud call of “chocolate chip pan- of over 100 spectators a night the rest of 22 vs Ruidoso 6:30pm with a San Francisco startup—Birdman the season, despite playing most of their cakes” from a player. One family is pro- Bats—crafting baseball bats, of all things. “home” games on the road or at a neutral viding beds for five Amberjacks, some of 23 vs Ruidoso 6:30pm “I realized I could still play,” he says. “I site. Last year it was Hollister, this time whom sleep on air mattresses. 24 vs Ruidoso 4pm decided I owed it to myself.” around they will play in Tehachapi. “They’re not picky,” says host Camille After signing his first professional “Last year was an amazing experi- Gingrich. contract to join the Amberjacks, he ence,” Rocker says of the Monterey The players and the Pecos League are July naturally called his mother. Now that games. “The crowd was rowdy, they were used to the game’s precarious nature. It is 6 vs California City 6:30pm contract has been voided in the wake of a on our side.” a place for those who take chances, after 7 vs California City 6:30pm congressional vote. And according to the That encouraged the city for a sec- all—who are willing to bunk in unfamiliar vs California City Amberjacks’ manager, Cusick ran afoul of ond year. The league was able to secure homes, to cash uncertain paychecks and 8 4pm the Pecos League’s age limit. Teams can Friday nights, as well—although the play- have no regrets. It’s a season of oppor- 13 vs Bakersfield 6:30pm only keep one “veteran”—that is, player ers must still travel four-plus hours to tunity, and that’s all that matters on a 14 vs Bakersfield 6:30pm over 25—and Cusick’s three years away Tehachapi for Thursday night “home” damp morning in May, with contracts vs Bakersfield from the game after college, working for games. They also added youth camps voided, the centerfield gate yawning wide 15 4pm Birdman Bats, put him over the limit. each Friday during the regular season open and a machine tossing mulch on a 20 vs High Desert 6:30pm “We love him, but—league rules,” says playground droning monotonously in the coached by Amberjacks players. And 21 vs High Desert 6:30pm Alvarez, the team’s remaining veteran. they’ve added beer sales. background. It’s all that matters on a glo- In 2017, there was no time to complete rious night for baseball, in front of a few 22 vs High Desert 4pm he Amberjacks started in a pre- the permitting process for alcohol sales fans, when the kind of dramatic moment Home games at Sollecito Park, 777 Pearl carious situation. Monterey city before the season started. This season, kids dream of plays out in real life. St., Monterey. $10; $160/season tickets. officials had been approached beer and a fixed schedule have given “It was great to be back home,” says montereyamberjacks.com. inT the past by both minor league and col- Dunn and the city a sense of confidence, Rocker, a native of the Quad Cities in lege summer league amateur teams, but despite the Save America’s Pastime Act. who sleeps on an unfamiliar bed Game dates and times are subject the ballpark availability always became a “We have three days and we have in Monterey. to weather. sticking point. Sollecito Park is used for beer,” Dunn explains. “It’s going to be “We’re here because we love baseball,” adult softball, youth leagues, soccer and good.” he adds, “but I couldn’t do it without my other events throughout the summer. None of this matters with two down in host family.” 28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY june 7-13, 2018 www.montereycountyweekly.com