Henderson RoadRunners
Encyclopedia
The Henderson RoadRunners are an independent professional baseball team based out of Henderson, Nevada
. They are members of the Western Division in the North American League
and were scheduled to begin play in 2011 at Lied Field at Morse Stadium on the campus of the College of Southern Nevada in Henderson. But they will forego their inaugural season as Lied Field will not be ready in time for the start of the season. They will be the second professional franchise to play in the Las Vegas area. The first is the Las Vegas 51s
of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League
.
, replacing the suspended San Diego Surf Dawgs
for the 2007 season. They played their home games for their entire run in Utah at Bruce Hurst Field
at Dixie State College in St. George. Former major league
right fielder
Cory Snyder
was named the team's first manager
that same year and remained there until 2010. Jerry Turner
served as bench coach.
On July 5, 2009, the RoadRunners clinched its first playoff spot in team history by winning the GBL Southern Division 1st Half title after defeating the defending GBL champion Orange County Flyers, 4–2, in Fullerton, California
. They hosted the 2009 GBL All-Star Game on July 14 at Bruce Hurst Field.
On December 9, 2009, it was announced that the RoadRunners would fold after three seasons, citing poor attendance as its main factor. Ironically, their now-former owners XnE, Inc., were granted a new expansion franchise, the Maui
-based Na Koa Ikaika Maui, just months earlier. Snyder left the RoadRunners to become the new manager in Maui.
The new ownership group was announced on January 20, 2010, as the Hot Corner Group led by principal owner Will Joyce. Rick Berry returned as general manager while maintaining his job as president of Na Koa Ikaika Maui, a team which was later sold to Western Sports & Entertainment Group. They named former Long Beach Armada
, Victoria Seals
, and Palm Springs Chill
manager Darrell Evans
as their new team manager after he was fired by the Seals in March 2010.
Unfortunately, poor attendance (along with lack of support from the business community, supposed stadium lease issues and alleged lack of beer sales) was the team's undoing again, and the team was once again on the verge of folding. However, the league took over the franchise from the Hot Corner Group to finish out the 2010 season as a road team. On August 11, the RoadRunners returned to action, versus Victoria and were victorious in a 4–3 win, led by a two hit, run scoring performance by new third baseman
Mike Castellano.
, the RoadRunners relocated to Henderson, but their team name was not changed like other franchises have done in the past (i.e. Mesa Miners
to Reno Silver Sox to Tucson Toros
). They replaced the proposed Tijuana Embajadores
team which was scheduled to play in the league for 2011, but was dropped by the league. They have postponed their inaugural season as renovations at Lied Field at Morse Stadium will not be ready in time for the start of the season. They will begin play in 2012.
called the Arizona RoadRunners
, who are based out of Yuma, Arizona
, (home of the NAL's Yuma Scorpions
), and also began play in 2011 just prior to the Henderson team starting in the NAL.
Both teams are league-owned at the moment and are looking for new ownership.
Henderson, Nevada
-Demographics:According to the 2000 census, there were 175,381 people, 66,331 households, and 47,095 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,200.8 people per square mile . There were 71,149 housing units at an average density of 892.8 per square mile...
. They are members of the Western Division in the North American League
North American League
The North American League is an independent baseball league that began play in the 2011 season...
and were scheduled to begin play in 2011 at Lied Field at Morse Stadium on the campus of the College of Southern Nevada in Henderson. But they will forego their inaugural season as Lied Field will not be ready in time for the start of the season. They will be the second professional franchise to play in the Las Vegas area. The first is the Las Vegas 51s
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
.
The St. George era (2007–2010)
The team originally began in 2007 as the St. George RoadRunners of the now-defunct Golden Baseball LeagueGolden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, based in San Ramon, California, was an independent baseball league. It later merged with the Northern League and the United Baseball League to form the North American League in the western United States, western Canada and Mexico....
, replacing the suspended San Diego Surf Dawgs
San Diego Surf Dawgs
The San Diego Surf Dawgs are an independent professional baseball team representing San Diego, California, that play in the short-season instructional Arizona Winter League and Arizona Summer League, based out of Yuma, Arizona. They played for two seasons in the now-defunct Golden Baseball League,...
for the 2007 season. They played their home games for their entire run in Utah at Bruce Hurst Field
Bruce Hurst Field
Bruce Hurst Field is a stadium in St. George, Utah. It is primarily used for baseball, hosting the Dixie State College of Utah baseball team. It was formerly the home field of the St. George Roadrunners of the Golden league. It holds 2,500 people and was opened in 1994. It is named after Bruce...
at Dixie State College in St. George. Former major league
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right fielder
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
Cory Snyder
Cory Snyder
James Cory Snyder is a former Major League Baseball player for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1986 to 1994. Snyder's best season came in 1987 with the Indians when he hit 33 home runs and had 82 runs batted in...
was named the team's first manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
that same year and remained there until 2010. Jerry Turner
Jerry Turner (baseball)
John Webber "Jerry" Turner is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played ten seasons in the major leagues, mostly with the San Diego Padres . He also played ten games for the Chicago White Sox in 1981 and 85 games for the Detroit Tigers in 1982...
served as bench coach.
On July 5, 2009, the RoadRunners clinched its first playoff spot in team history by winning the GBL Southern Division 1st Half title after defeating the defending GBL champion Orange County Flyers, 4–2, in Fullerton, California
Fullerton, California
Fullerton is a city located in northern Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 135,161.It was founded in 1887 by George and Edward Amerige and named for George H. Fullerton, who secured the land on behalf of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway...
. They hosted the 2009 GBL All-Star Game on July 14 at Bruce Hurst Field.
On December 9, 2009, it was announced that the RoadRunners would fold after three seasons, citing poor attendance as its main factor. Ironically, their now-former owners XnE, Inc., were granted a new expansion franchise, the Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
-based Na Koa Ikaika Maui, just months earlier. Snyder left the RoadRunners to become the new manager in Maui.
The new ownership group was announced on January 20, 2010, as the Hot Corner Group led by principal owner Will Joyce. Rick Berry returned as general manager while maintaining his job as president of Na Koa Ikaika Maui, a team which was later sold to Western Sports & Entertainment Group. They named former Long Beach Armada
Long Beach Armada
The Long Beach Armada was an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
, Victoria Seals
Victoria Seals
The Victoria Seals were a professional baseball team based in Victoria, British Columbia. The Seals were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. They joined the GBL on October 1,...
, and Palm Springs Chill
Palm Springs Chill
The Palm Springs Chill are an independent baseball team based in Palm Springs, California. They are co-owned by the Palm Springs Power and play their home games at Palm Springs Stadium...
manager Darrell Evans
Darrell Evans
Darrell Wayne Evans is a former third baseman and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1969 to 1989 with the Atlanta Braves , San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers . He is also the former manager and director of player personnel for the Victoria Seals of the Golden Baseball...
as their new team manager after he was fired by the Seals in March 2010.
Unfortunately, poor attendance (along with lack of support from the business community, supposed stadium lease issues and alleged lack of beer sales) was the team's undoing again, and the team was once again on the verge of folding. However, the league took over the franchise from the Hot Corner Group to finish out the 2010 season as a road team. On August 11, the RoadRunners returned to action, versus Victoria and were victorious in a 4–3 win, led by a two hit, run scoring performance by new third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
Mike Castellano.
The Henderson era (2011 and beyond)
In January 2011, after the GBL was absorbed into the newly-formed North American LeagueNorth American League
The North American League is an independent baseball league that began play in the 2011 season...
, the RoadRunners relocated to Henderson, but their team name was not changed like other franchises have done in the past (i.e. Mesa Miners
Mesa Miners
The Mesa Miners are an independent professional baseball team that is based in Mesa, Arizona. They began as a member of the Arizona Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League in 2005...
to Reno Silver Sox to Tucson Toros
Tucson Toros
The Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
). They replaced the proposed Tijuana Embajadores
Tijuana Embajadores
The Tijuana Embajadores were a proposed independent professional team to be based out of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. They were to play in the North American League and were expected to play at Estadio de Béisbol Calimax in 2011...
team which was scheduled to play in the league for 2011, but was dropped by the league. They have postponed their inaugural season as renovations at Lied Field at Morse Stadium will not be ready in time for the start of the season. They will begin play in 2012.
Arizona Winter League version (2011–present)
The team identity also belongs to a new developmental franchise in the Arizona Winter LeagueArizona Winter League
The Arizona Winter League is the short-season instructional independent winter professional baseball league affiliated with the independent North American League...
called the Arizona RoadRunners
Arizona RoadRunners
The Arizona RoadRunners are a professional baseball team based out of Yuma, Arizona and are currently a member of the American Division of the Arizona Winter League, a short-season developmental program run by the North American League...
, who are based out of Yuma, Arizona
Yuma, Arizona
Yuma is a city in and the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. It is located in the southwestern corner of the state, and the population of the city was 77,515 at the 2000 census, with a 2008 Census Bureau estimated population of 90,041....
, (home of the NAL's Yuma Scorpions
Yuma Scorpions
The Yuma Scorpions are a professional baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, in the United States. The Scorpions are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League. From the 2005 season to the present, the Scorpions have played their home games at Desert Sun Stadium at the...
), and also began play in 2011 just prior to the Henderson team starting in the NAL.
Both teams are league-owned at the moment and are looking for new ownership.