By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute, and Dylan Wickman
July 31, 2023 // Updated as of 12 a.m.
2023 CCL 30 POSTSEASON
Today, the 2023 California Collegiate League regular season will come to an end, and the landscape of the CCL 30 Postseason – the capstone of the league’s 30th year – will be solidified. A new format will be introduced for this summer’s playoffs, replacing the double-elimination, round-robin layout used for the past two seasons, as five squads will vie to dethrone the two-time defending champion Healdsburg Prune Packers.
The top three seeds based on league record in both the CCL North and South Divisions qualify for the tournament and a chance to reach the CCL 30 State Championship, a best two-out-of-three series taking place from Friday to Sunday, August 4-6. A coin flip at an offseason league meeting determined that the CCL South Division will host the State Championship this year, with the site rotating back and forth between divisions in subsequent years.
Each division’s second and third-ranked teams will kick off the postseason facing off in the single-elimination CCL Wild Card Round on Tuesday, August 1. The winner of the two Wild Card games will then take on their respective division’s first-place team on Wednesday, August 2 for a chance at the CCL crown.
Sitting at 26-9, the Healdsburg Prune Packers are the current host for the No. 1 seed in the North Division and have clinched a postseason berth. After temporarily ceding first place to the Crawdads, Healdsburg took control of the division’s top spot on July 28 and clinched the No. 1 seed with a Crawdads loss on Jul. 31.
However, the aforementioned Walnut Creek Crawdads (25-9) enter the postseason on the heels of an exceptional regular season that saw them challenge the Pack for the North Division’s No. 1 spot until the very end. Walnut Creek’s quest for the CCL 30 State Championship begins when it hosts the CCL 30 Wild Card Round on August 1.
The Crawdads’ opponent in the Wild Card Round is the Lincoln Potters, who clinched the third and final playoff spot in the North Division with a win on July 28. With a league record of 20-15, the Potters have had an up-and-down time in 2023, but have gone 8-3 in their last 12 contests – a stretch that includes series victories over Healdsburg and Walnut Creek.
Rounding out the North are the Sonoma Stompers and Solano Mudcats, who have both been officially eliminated.
Despite remaining unclear until the last minute, the CCL South Division playoff picture is finally solidified. The second-ranked Arroyo Seco Saints have claimed the South’s No. 1 spot with a 21-14 mark, as the division-winning Santa Barbara Foresters (23-10) have elected to compete in NBC World Series, a tournament they have won 10 times. Locked into the No. 2 slot is the Orange County Riptide, who will host the CCL 30 Wild Card Round.
With a win over the MLB Youth Academy Barons on Jul. 30 – the last day of the regular season – the Conejo Oaks (16-19) have clinched the third and final CCL 30 Postseason berth in the South. As a result, the San Luis Obispo Blues (15-20) have been officially eliminated.
Rounding out the division are the Barons, who are 8-26 in league play and have won four of their last five games. As of July 26, the Academy is officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Follow all the action as the quest for the CCL 30 State Championship heats up.
By CCL Reporter Sam Nute
(COMPTON, CA) – On Wednesday, July 12, the CCL’s top talent across the league gathered at the MLB Youth Academy to celebrate the annual CCL Showcase Game. This year’s contest dubbed the CCL 30 Showcase Game honoring the league’s 30th season was broadcasted live on eight Bally Sports’ regional networks across the country.
Sonoma Stompers outfielder Noah Rabin (Illinois State) took home Offensive Player of the Game honors thanks to his monster two-run home run in the fifth inning. On the mound, Santa Barbara Foresters’ right-handed pitcher Robert Cranz set the tone for the South, striking out three in the first inning earning Pitcher of the Game. Healdsburg Prune Packer Damian Bravo (Texas Tech) excelled in the field racking up four putouts en route to the Defensive Player of the Game award.
Cranz shut down the North in the top of the first inning following by an equally impressive performance from North starting pitcher, Prune Packer Myles Patton (Long Beach State).
The offensive would pick-up in the second. An RBI single from Walnut Creek Crawdad Matt King (UTSA) started things off and was soon followed by a throwing error, bringing in the North’s second run.
Throughout the game, each team seemed to answer whenever the other scored. The South did just that with a run in the second frame before taking the lead in the third, completing the game’s first comeback. MLB Youth Academy Barons second baseman Kamau Neighbors (Cal State Northridge) – who was quick on the base paths all night – tied the game at two, scoring from first on a double by Foresters catcher John Newman. The South then took the lead on a passed ball to enter the fourth up 3-2.
The pendulum would swing once again in the fifth inning as the North tied the game on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Stompers catcher Omar Gastelum (San Jose State). With two outs on the board, Rabin would then crushed a 1-1 pitch, sending the game’s lone homer over the right-field wall and giving a 5-3 lead to the North.
It appeared the North might have put the game away when they extended their lead to 7-3 in the top of the seventh, but the South would have one more comeback left in them. After responding with two runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh to cut the lead back to just two, the South exploded for four more in the bottom of the eighth, taking an 8-7 lead on a bloop two-RBI single from Foresters outfielder Will Rogers (Michigan). A sacrifice fly from Conejo Oaks catcher Brendan Durfee would pad the South’s lead, making the score 9-7 heading into the game’s final inning.
Durfee’s insurance run would prove crucial as the North would attempt one more rally, scoring a run in the top of the ninth and advancing the tying run in scoring position. However, the South closed it out, stranding the runner on second to seal a 9-8 CCL 30 Showcase Game victory.
The game was not the only event taking place at the MLB Youth Academy on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, the CCL hosted a combine for scouts and college coaches, USA Baseball Player Development Pipeline testing, and its inaugural Home Run Derby presented by Walter Bat Company. Six sluggers from across the league participated in a single-elimination tournament of three, three-minute rounds.
The objective? Hit as many home runs as possible, and that they did. In the championship round, it was No. 5-seeded shortstop Dominic Hellman (Oregon) from the Foresters and No. 6-seeded catcher Brendan Durfee (Cal Lutheran) from the Oaks facing off.
Durfee topped Hellman’s six home runs with seven of his own, making him the Walter Bat Company 2023 CCL 30 Showcase Game Home Run Derby Champion.
Next up for the league is chase to the 2023 CCL State Championship, August 1-6. Featuring an updated postseason format, the CCL’s 11 teams will vie for a spot in a best two-out-of-three game series Friday to Sunday, August 4-6.
Following a coin flip at a regular offseason league meeting, the South Division representative will serve as the State Championship host this year. The North Division will host next year and rotate back and forth between Northern and Southern California in subsequent years.
To get to the State Championship, the CCL’s second and third place teams from each division, North and South, will take part in the 2023 CCL Division Wild Card Round on Tuesday, August 1. The winners of these two Wild Card games will then play the first-place teams in their respective divisions on Wednesday, August 2 for a chance at taking home the CCL’s 2023 State title.
(LOS ANGELES, CA) – The California Collegiate League Showcase Game Selection Committee has announced the participants for the CCL 30 Showcase Game. The following players will play in the league’s signature midsummer event:
Click to view the CCL 30 Showcase Game Rosters
[+ North Division Roster] // [+ South Division Roster]
By July 5, each of the CCL’s 11 teams nominated players for consideration to the Selection Committee. Final North and South Division rosters and the managers of the game were chosen based on each of the division’s highest winningest percentage through July 8.
The CCL hosts an annual all-star game highlighting its brightest stars to coaches, scouts, and fans alike. This tradition remains today, as nearly 60 of the CCL’s most outstanding players will participate in the mid-summer classic in Compton, Calif. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. PST live on eight Bally Sports regional networks.
In addition to a nine-inning North vs. South Division contest and USA Baseball’s Prospect Development Pipeline combine, the CCL 30 Showcase Game will feature an inaugural Home Run Derby presented by the Walter Bat Company adding even more fireworks to an already action-packed event.
Texas Tech play-by-play broadcaster Chris Sylvester and San Diego Padres color commentator Bob Scanlan will have the call. Check your local listings for viewing instructions.
Fans can purchase tickets to the CCL’s premier event at the gate, watch live on Bally Sports TV, or follow the CCL on social media.
Team Designations // MLB – MLB Academy Barons, AS – Arroyo Seco Saints, CO – Conejo Oaks, HPP – Healdsburg Prune Packers, LP – Lincoln Potters, OCR – Orange County Riptide, SLO – San Luis Obispo Blues, SBF – Santa Barbara Foresters, SM – Solano Mudcats, SS – Sonoma Stompers, WCC – Walnut Creek Crawdads
By CCL Reporter Sean Brennan
(LOS ANGELES, CA) – For 30 years, the California Collegiate League has been a stepping stone for some of baseball’s most exciting prospects, allowing top collegiate players to hone their skills while preparing for professional baseball.
The CCL hosts an annual all-star game highlighting its brightest stars to coaches, scouts, and fans alike. This tradition remains today, as nearly 60 of the CCL’s most outstanding players will participate in the CCL 30 Showcase Game at the MLB Youth Academy in Compton, Calif. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. PST.
“The 2023 CCL Showcase game is a must-see event for the ardent baseball fan,” said CCL Commissioner Michael Simpson. “This is an opportunity to view top notch collegiate players demonstrate their prodigious talents. You may be witnessing a future major league player before they attain national fame.”
In addition to a nine-inning North vs. South Division contest and USA Baseball’s Prospect Development Pipeline combine, the CCL 30 Showcase Game will feature an inaugural home run derby adding even more fireworks to an already action-packed mid-summer classic.
Texas Tech play-by-play broadcaster Chris Sylvester and San Diego Padres color commentator Bob Scanlan will have the call live on Bally Sports TV. The game will be re-aired regionally on NBC Sports West throughout July and August. Check your local listings for viewing instructions.
Fans can purchase tickets to the CCL’s premier event at the gate, watch live on Bally Sports TV, or follow the CCL on social media.
By July 2, each of the CCL’s 11 teams will nominate players for consideration to the CCL 30 Showcase Game Selection Committee. Final North and South Division rosters and the managers of the game – which will be the head coach of each division’s winningest team through July 8 – will be announced by July 9.
As part of USA Baseball’s Prospect Development Pipeline, CCL 30 Showcase Game position players will take part in pre-game workouts at 3 p.m. in front of MLB scouts and college coaches. The PDP is a collaborative effort between Major League Baseball and USA Baseball that establishes an official identification and player development pathway for amateur baseball players in the United States.
By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute, and Dylan Wickman
(LOS ANGELES, CA) – The California Collegiate League is heavily represented as the race heats up for the Division I National Championship and a trip to Omaha at the College World Series. Fifty-seven current and former CCL players are on nine teams competing in the 2023 NCAA Super Regionals. Many have left their mark on the postseason, putting together standout performances that helped propel their squad into the tournament’s second week.
Listed below are select CCL players that made significant impacts in the NCAA Regional Round. Following is the total list of current and former players that will be competing in the 2023 NCAA Super Regionals.
(LOS ANGELES, CA)
CCL CELEBRATES 30 YEARS
To kick-off its 30th year, the California Collegiate League released its slate of games for 2023 summer season. All CCL teams will play 35 league games plus select non-league matchups.
2023 CCL POSTSEAON
New for the 2023 summer season will be an updated postseason format. The CCL’s 11 teams will vie for a spot in the 2023 CCL State Championship, a best two-out-of-three game series Friday to Sunday, August 4-6.
Following a coin flip at a regular offseason league meeting, the South Division representative will serve as the State Championship host this year. The North Division will host next year and rotate back and forth between Northern and Southern California in subsequent years.
To get to the State Championship, the CCL’s second and third place teams from each division, North and South, will take part in the 2023 CCL Division Wild Card Round on Tuesday, August 1.
The winners of these two Wild Card games will then play the first-place teams in their respective divisions on Wednesday, August 2 for a chance at taking home the CCL’s 2023 State title.
2023 CCL SHOWCASE GAME
The 2023 CCL Showcase Game will be held at Major League’s Baseball Youth Academy on Wednesday July 12. Close to 60 of the CCL’s best players will be in attendance showing off their skills and talents.
NEW CCL COMMISSIONER
Executive Director, Aaron Milam, announced the addition Dr. Michael J. Simpson as new commissioner earlier this month.
“I am looking forward to celebrating the 30th year of the CCL,” said Simpson. “Collectively we will have an opportunity to reflect on the league’s historic accomplishments and anticipate the excitement of a new season. This summer our teams, players, partners, fans and communities can expect to enjoy an entertaining time at the ballpark and an exhilarating brand of baseball.”
#CCL30Years & #CCLBaseball
Follow all of the action all summer long using the hashtags #CCL30Years and #CCLBaseball.
(LOS ANGELES, CA) – California Collegiate League Executive Director, Aaron Milam, has announced the selection of Dr. Michael J. Simpson as the new commissioner. The CCL’s Board of Directors enthusiastically approved Simpson’s appointment at its last league meeting.
Simpson comes to the CCL with more than 40 years of high-level leadership experience in educational administration, college and professional baseball, and the military.
“I’m eager to get going,” said Simpson. “I am appreciative of the opportunity the Board of Directors as given me to join the ranks of the prestigious CCL. I look forward to collaborating with the board, staff, coaches, players and fans to continue to grow and enhance the League. I am particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of impacting the development of the student-athletes as baseball players and model citizens.”
During his impressive career, Simpson served as Director of Athletics at San Francisco State University for 16 years.
Before overseeing the Gators’ athletic department, Simpson was the head baseball coach for three collegiate programs and a national team.
During his 12 years as headman at SFSU, Simpson amassed 326 victories from 1985-1997, most by any coach in any sport at the university. Simpson and the Gators secured three conference titles and two berths into the NCAA Division II National Championship. He was named Coach of the Year in 1986, 1989, and 1995.
In 2022, SFSU inducted Simpson into its Hall of Fame for his close to 30 years of service to the Northern California institution.
Simpson led the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos from 1978-1980 and Westmont College Warriors from 1973-1977. In 1992, the Austrian National Baseball Federation named Simpson the head coach of its national program.
Simpson is no stranger to collegiate summer baseball. In 1978, Simpson managed the Humboldt Crabs to a 40-10 record.
“Mike’s on and off-the-field resume speaks for itself, and I, along with our league members, are looking forward to him joining the CCL,” said Milam. “He is a leader in every way, and I am confident that our players, teams, and partners will benefit from his decades of experience.”
As an associate scout, from 1983 to 1985, Simpson helped the New York Yankees identify amateur baseball players with professional potential.
Bill Pintard, current Yankees’ scout and Executive Director and field manager of the CCL’s Santa Barbara Foresters has known Simpson for many years.
“The CCL got even stronger today,” said Pintard. “I’ve known Mike for a long time, and for our league to add someone of his caliber, experience, and integrity makes us all better.”
In addition to Simpson’s administrative and baseball work, he is a proud United States veteran. From 1969-1975, Simpson served in the 425th Civil Affairs Company for the United States Army Reserve. There, he held the roles of Chief Administrative Officer, Personnel Officer, and Finance Officer.
Simpson has served on numerous national associations and committees, including the American Baseball Coaches Association, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, and the United States Baseball Federation. While at SF State, Simpson served a term as President of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA, NCAA Division II). He spent four years on the NCAA DII National Baseball Committee and chaired the West Regional Committee.
Simpson holds three degrees from UCSB: a doctorate in Educational Policy and Organizational Studies, a master’s in Education, and a bachelor’s in Geography and Physical Education.