The Freedom Pro Baseball League was an independent baseball league based in Arizona that played in 2012 and 2013. The league started with four teams, the Scottsdale Centennials, Peoria Explorers, Phoenix Prospectors, and the Prescott Federals in 2012.[1] The Phoenix Prospectors won the inaugural league championship in 2012[2] and repeated as champions in 2013.[3]
| Sport | Baseball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 |
| No. of teams | 4 |
| Country | United States |
| Most recent champion(s) | Phoenix Prospectors |
| Official website | Freedom Pro Baseball League (archived 4 March 2016) |
Joe Sperle was the President and Founder of the Freedom Pro Baseball League. Sperle, the owner of Joe Sperle's Baseball School, has over 20 years of playing and coaching experience.[4][5]
Former Major League Baseball players Julio Lugo and Joey Gathright were signed in 2013 to develop their skills to try to make a come back in the Major Leagues.[6]
The league did not play in 2014 because they were unable to work out a lease agreement with Kino Stadium.[7]
Former teams
edit| Team | City | State/Province | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goodyear Centennials | Goodyear | Arizona | Goodyear Ballpark |
| Peoria Explorers | Peoria | Arizona | Peoria Sports Complex |
| Phoenix Prospectors | Phoenix | Arizona | Phoenix Municipal Stadium |
| Prescott Montezuma Federals | Prescott | Arizona | Roughrider Park |
References
edit- ^ "Freedom League Launches in Arizona". Ballparkbiz.com. March 5, 2012.
- ^ "Copper State Prospectors named championship team for 2012 season". Freedom Pro Baseball League. September 5, 2012. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ^ "Phoenix Prospectors Win 2013 Freedom League Championship". independentbaseball.net. September 2, 2013.
- ^ "Freedom League History". Freedomprobaseballleague.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-09. Retrieved 2015-07-08.
- ^ "Joe Sperle Baseball School". Archived from the original on 2014-12-14.
- ^ "Joey Gathright signs with Peoria Explorers of the Freedom Professional Baseball League". freedomproleague blog. May 17, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
- ^ Richard, Kevin (June 3, 2014). "Freedom Baseball League pitches Pima County on Kino Stadium lease". ballparkdigest.com.