In an exciting development for baseball fans in Oakland, the Oakland Ballers are set to make their debut as the newest franchise in the independent Pioneer Baseball League (PBL) in May 2024. The Ballers will be the first PBL team on the West Coast and will bring their passion for the game to the Oakland community.

The news of the franchise's introduction was announced in a press release, and a press conference is scheduled to take place at the Oakland Estuary on Tuesday at 11 a.m. PT. Notable attendees are expected to include Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, who expressed her enthusiasm for the Ballers in the team's official statement.

Mayor Thao stated, "Oakland baseball fans proved again and again their love for the game. The Ballers will be ambassadors for the Town and demonstrate our spirit, hustle, and resilience to the world."

Adding to the excitement, the Ballers will have a strong baseball operations department led by executive vice president Don Wakamatsu. Wakamatsu, known for his historic tenure as the first Asian-American manager in MLB with the Seattle Mariners in 2009, brings a wealth of experience to the team. Wakamatsu, who previously served as the bench coach for the Oakland A's in 2008, is joined by Micah Franklin as the team's manager and Ray King as the pitching coach.

The PBL, which is an official MLB partner league, currently consists of 12 teams spread across Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Utah. However, the addition of the Ballers will mark the first franchise on the West Coast, further expanding the league's reach.

The founding duo behind the Ballers, Paul Freedman and Bryan Carmel, have secured $2 million in seed funding from over 50 investors. They plan to involve the community through a crowdfunding campaign, offering fans the opportunity to become part-owners of the team. This approach mirrors the success of the recent crowdfunding campaign conducted by the Oakland Roots and Soul Soccer Club, which raised a record-breaking $3.16 million.

Freedman expressed his belief in community ownership, stating, "I strongly believe that the real value of a sports team is in its relationship to the community it serves. With the Oakland B's, we are going to bring joy back to the game and give Oaklanders something to be proud of."

The Ballers' founders have worked collaboratively with the organizers of the "Sell" movement, an effort led by Oakland 68's president Jorge Leon, who aims to protest the proposed move of the Oakland A's to Las Vegas. Leon expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the Ballers' prioritization of the community and fan base.

"The Ballers are putting the community and fan base first, which makes it even more incredible," Leon told The Athletic. "They're letting us be the voice of the fans and giving us a platform to represent our baseball culture. Oakland never quits."

The PBL season spans 96 games and runs from May to September. The Ballers are currently in discussions to utilize the Laney College Baseball Field as their home stadium. This location holds symbolic meaning as it was the site where the A's ownership had previously announced plans to build a new stadium in 2017. However, those plans were halted after complications arose with the Peralta Community College board.

As Oakland embraces the arrival of the Oakland Ballers, it is evident that the city's love for baseball remains strong. With a commitment to community engagement and a strong baseball operations team, the Ballers are poised to unite and uplift fans, showcasing the rich legacy of baseball in the East Bay.