Omaha Flame
Encyclopedia
The Omaha Flame are an independent professional baseball team based in Omaha, Nebraska
. They joined the North American League
as an expansion team in 2011 and are expected to join the league's Eastern Division. They will play their home games at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha (new home of the NCAA Division I College World Series
) as early as 2011. The ballpark will also play host to the newly-formated NABL Championship Series.
They replaced the Joliet JackHammers
, who joined the Frontier League
and became the Joliet Slammers
. The Flame are the second team to play professional baseball in the Omaha area. The other are the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League
, who will play at their new ballpark, Werner Park in Papillion, Nebraska
. Both teams will play at the same time with the Flame having the shorter season, a rarity in the sport. They are also the first expansion team not associated with the Golden Baseball League
, United League Baseball
, or the Northern League to join the NABL.
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. They joined the North American League
North American League
The North American League is an independent baseball league that began play in the 2011 season...
as an expansion team in 2011 and are expected to join the league's Eastern Division. They will play their home games at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha (new home of the NCAA Division I College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
) as early as 2011. The ballpark will also play host to the newly-formated NABL Championship Series.
They replaced the Joliet JackHammers
Joliet JackHammers
The Joliet JackHammers were a professional baseball team based in Joliet, Illinois, in the United States. The JackHammers were a member of the Northern League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From 2002 to 2010, the JackHammers played their home games at Silver Cross...
, who joined the Frontier League
Frontier League
The Frontier League, based in Sauget, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States, Western Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either...
and became the Joliet Slammers
Joliet Slammers
The Joliet Slammers are a professional baseball team based in Joliet, Illinois, that play in the independent Frontier League. They play their home games at Silver Cross Field in Joliet. They replaced the Joliet JackHammers of the Northern League after the franchise was crippled by numerous...
. The Flame are the second team to play professional baseball in the Omaha area. The other are the Omaha Storm Chasers 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...
, who will play at their new ballpark, Werner Park in Papillion, Nebraska
Papillion, Nebraska
Papillion is a city in Sarpy County in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is a suburb to the southwest of neighboring Omaha, and is the county seat of Sarpy County. The population of Papillion was 18,894 at the 2010 census. In 2009, Papillion was named the #3 best place to live in the United States by...
. Both teams will play at the same time with the Flame having the shorter season, a rarity in the sport. They are also the first expansion team not associated with the Golden Baseball League
Golden 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....
, United League Baseball
United League Baseball
United League Baseball was an independent baseball league that operated in Texas. It later merged with the Northern League and the Golden Baseball League to form the North American League.- History :...
, or the Northern League to join the NABL.