The California League is a minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth step between Rookie ball and the major leagues. Although Minor League Baseball, the umbrella organization for minor leagues that are affiliated with Major League Baseball, has eliminated the distinction between High-A and other full-season A leagues, most major-league teams still use such leagues as a standard promotion step. A few draftees, generally early-round draftees with college experience, will be assigned to a High-A team upon signing a professional contract, but generally players will not arrive at this level until their third or fourth year of professional play.

The league was founded in 1941, and contained teams in Anaheim, Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Stockton. The following year, as a result of World War II, the league dropped to four teams, then ceased operations altogether. It came back in 1946, adding teams in Visalia, San Jose and Ventura by 1947. Reno, Nevada joined the league in 1955 and continued as a member for 37 years.

All of the current teams are playing in stadiums that have been built or extensively renovated since 1990. League attendance continues to increase each season, with over one million fans attending games per year. The league is divided into a North Division and a South Division.

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L.A. Times - Baseball News

Red Sox send Angels home again
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Boston wins, 3-2, scoring winning run with two out in ninth inning. Angels eliminated in division series by Red Sox for the third time in five seasons. BOSTON -- Manager Mike Scioscia broke out his little-ball attack at the worst possible time Monday night, and the Angels, almost predictably, came up little.
Dodgers, Phillies back at it after 25 years
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700
It was the era of the Dodgers' Tommy John, Dusty Baker, Steve Garvey and Bill Russell against such Phillies stars as Steve Carlton, Greg Luzinski, Gary Matthews and Mike Schmidt. The playoff series between the Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies for the National League pennant comes 25 years after the teams last met in postseason play.
Angels have some important off-season decisions to make
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Does Mark Teixeira even want to come back? What about Francisco Rodriguez? BOSTON -- The Angels had walked off the field for the final time this season. All but one of them.

ESPN.com - MLB

Nelson: Lester at ease pitching in big games
Amy K. Nelson Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:24:43 -0700
Big games don't seem to bother Jon Lester, who heads to the mound Monday as the Red Sox try once more to close out the Angels in their best-of-five ALDS, writes Amy K. Nelson.
Not done? Schilling ponders half-season comeback
Associated Press Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:07:04 -0700
Curt Schilling is considering coming back next year -- for half the season.
Brewers' Weeks has surgery to fix cartilage tear
Associated Press Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:11:21 -0700
Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks had surgery to repair a cartilage tear in his left knee and is expected to be ready for spring training.

SI.com - MLB

Wasted chances bring end to Angels' season
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:21:44 -0400
Read full story for latest details.
BoSox uncertain about Masterson's future role
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:20:57 -0400
Read full story for latest details.
Lowell out of Red Sox's lineup with hip injury
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:19:33 -0400
Read full story for latest details.

Major League Baseball News

Lowrie sends Red Sox back to ALCS
Ian Browne Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:08:00 -0400
Lowrie sends Red Sox back to ALCS
Rays clinch, punch ticket to ALCS
Bill Chastain Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:32:00 -0400
Rays clinch, punch ticket to ALCS
Varitek's tag squeezes Angels in ninth
T.R. Sullivan Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:15:00 -0400
Varitek's tag squeezes Angels in ninth
Oh, what a ninth! Sox-Halos a classic
Mychael Urban Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:29:00 -0400
Oh, what a ninth! Sox-Halos a classic
Playoff connections run deep | Traces
Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:49:11 -0400

VOTE NOW: Aaron | DHL | Clutch
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:11:20 -0400


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