San Diego Surf Dawgs
Encyclopedia
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
, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball
or Minor League Baseball
. They were the inaugural GBL Champions in 2005 managed by current Tucson Padres manager Terry Kennedy
. Their now-former home stadium is named after former Padres great Tony Gwynn
, and is located on the campus of San Diego State University
. They have been owned by Diamond Sports & Entertainment, primary investors in the newly formed North American League
, since 2005.
They currently play at Desert Sun Stadium
in Yuma, Arizona
(where they are presently based), as part of the AWL and ASL. They were awarded the 2010 ASL Championship.
, Fullerton Flyers
and Long Beach Armada
in California; Mesa Miners
, Surprise Fightin' Falcons
and Yuma Scorpions
in Arizona and the traveling Japan Samurai Bears
. They were known for playing in the same city as a Major League Baseball
team, the National League's
San Diego Padres
.
The signing of Rickey Henderson
gave the team national exposure. (Henderson had also played for the Padres from 1996 to 1997 and in 2001.) Former first-round draft pick Matt Wheatland is among five San Diegans on the roster.
The 2005 team won the first ever GBL California Division title, and on Labor Day
weekend 2005 they won the inaugural GBL Championship tournament, coming back on the last day to win two games.
The team again made news in June 2006 by signing former Major League player José Canseco
. He made his debut on July 3, 2006 and struck out 4 times. Prior to the game, the Juiced
author looked like the Bash Brother of old during batting practice, knocking multiple pitches out of the park. After playing in one game with the Surf Dawgs, Canseco requested to be traded to a team closer to his home in Los Angeles
and was sent to the Long Beach Armada.
as the Sonora Surf Dawgs in January 2007 , but reverted back to San Diego for the 2008 season. During the AWL regular season, they are managed by Cory Snyder
, who also manages the GBL's St. George RoadRunners. In 2008, they were placed in the new American Division for the 2009 season along with the Blythe Heat
, Palm Springs Chill
and Yuma Scorpions.
The Surf Dawgs participated in a Lucha & Baseball exhibition game on June 25, 2009, along with some professional wrestlers against the Tucson Toros
, which they won 8-3.
in June of 2009. They played along side the El Centro Imperials
and Canada Miners in 2009 and then the Long Beach Armada
and Bisbee Miners
in 2010. They replaced the San Luis Atleticos
and Yuma Scorpions, who were originally scheduled to play in the league, but were dropped prior to the start of the inaugural season. They began play on July 2nd. The Surf Dawgs, instead of the Scorpions, have become the first team to have played in all three leagues within the GBL system.
They were awarded the ASL Championship in 2010 and 2011.
Arizona Winter League:
Arizona Summer League:
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, that play in the short-season instructional Arizona Winter League
Arizona Winter League
The Arizona Winter League is the short-season instructional independent winter professional baseball league affiliated with the independent North American League...
and Arizona Summer League
Arizona Summer League
The Arizona Summer League is a short-season instructional summer professional baseball league affiliated with the independent North American League...
, 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....
. They played for two seasons in the now-defunct 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....
, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball
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...
or Minor League Baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
. They were the inaugural GBL Champions in 2005 managed by current Tucson Padres manager Terry Kennedy
Terry Kennedy
Terrence Edward Kennedy is a former All-Star Major League Baseball catcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , San Diego Padres , Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants . Kennedy batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He is the son of former major league player and manager Bob Kennedy...
. Their now-former home stadium is named after former Padres great Tony Gwynn
Tony Gwynn
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Sr. , nicknamed Mr. Padre and Captain Video, is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the San Diego Padres...
, and is located on the campus of San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
. They have been owned by Diamond Sports & Entertainment, primary investors in the newly formed North American League
North American League
The North American League is an independent baseball league that began play in the 2011 season...
, since 2005.
They currently play at Desert Sun Stadium
Desert Sun Stadium
Desert Sun Stadium is a stadium in Yuma, Arizona. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the North American League's Yuma Scorpions minor league baseball team and plays host to the Arizona Winter League and Arizona Summer League. The stadium, which originally opened in 1969,...
in 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....
(where they are presently based), as part of the AWL and ASL. They were awarded the 2010 ASL Championship.
Golden Baseball League (2005-2006)
The Surf Dawgs were one of the eight original GBL charter teams that began play in 2005 along with the Chico OutlawsChico Outlaws
The Chico Outlaws are a professional baseball team based in Chico, California, in the United States. The Outlaws are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
, Fullerton Flyers
Fullerton Flyers
The Fullerton Flyers are a professional baseball team based in Fullerton, California, in the United States. They are an independent franchise which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
and 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...
in California; 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...
, Surprise Fightin' Falcons
Surprise Fightin' Falcons
The Surprise Fightin' Falcons are an inactive professional baseball team based in Surprise, Arizona. They played in the Arizona Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
and 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...
in Arizona and the traveling Japan Samurai Bears
Japan Samurai Bears
The Japan Samurai Bears are a defunct traveling professional baseball team that played in the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. They were based in the Arizona Division...
. They were known for playing in the same city as a Major League Baseball
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...
team, the National League's
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
.
The signing of Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
gave the team national exposure. (Henderson had also played for the Padres from 1996 to 1997 and in 2001.) Former first-round draft pick Matt Wheatland is among five San Diegans on the roster.
The 2005 team won the first ever GBL California Division title, and on Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
weekend 2005 they won the inaugural GBL Championship tournament, coming back on the last day to win two games.
The team again made news in June 2006 by signing former Major League player José Canseco
José Canseco
José Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco...
. He made his debut on July 3, 2006 and struck out 4 times. Prior to the game, the Juiced
Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big
Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big is a 2005 book by Jose Canseco and his personal account of steroid usage in Major League Baseball. The book is autobiographical, and it focuses on Canseco's days as a major leaguer, his marriages, his daughter, and off-field...
author looked like the Bash Brother of old during batting practice, knocking multiple pitches out of the park. After playing in one game with the Surf Dawgs, Canseco requested to be traded to a team closer to his home in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and was sent to the Long Beach Armada.
Arizona Winter League (2007-present)
The team joined 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...
as the Sonora Surf Dawgs in January 2007 , but reverted back to San Diego for the 2008 season. During the AWL regular season, they are managed by 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...
, who also manages the GBL's St. George RoadRunners. In 2008, they were placed in the new American Division for the 2009 season along with the Blythe Heat
Blythe Heat
The Blythe Heat are a professional baseball team based in Blythe, California. They play in the Arizona Winter League, a short-season instructional winter league affiliated with the North American League. They began play in 2007 and play their home games at Alexander Field in Blythe...
, 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...
and Yuma Scorpions.
The Surf Dawgs participated in a Lucha & Baseball exhibition game on June 25, 2009, along with some professional wrestlers against the 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....
, which they won 8-3.
Arizona Summer League (2009-present)
The Surf Dawgs became a charter team of the new Arizona Summer LeagueArizona Summer League
The Arizona Summer League is a short-season instructional summer professional baseball league affiliated with the independent North American League...
in June of 2009. They played along side the El Centro Imperials
El Centro Imperials
The El Centro Imperials are an inactive independent professional baseball team based out of El Centro, California. Founded in 1947 and revived on April 3, 2009, the Imperials were introduced as one of the four charter members of the new Arizona Summer League, an instructional summer professional...
and Canada Miners in 2009 and then the 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...
and Bisbee Miners
Bisbee Miners
The Bisbee Miners were a season-season independent professional baseball team that played in the Arizona Summer League representing Bisbee, Arizona. They play their home games at Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma, Arizona, home of the North American League's Yuma Scorpions. They were one of two teams...
in 2010. They replaced the San Luis Atleticos
San Luis Atleticos
The San Luis Atleticos are a professional independent baseball team based in San Luis, Arizona, representing that city and Mexico. They play in the developmental Arizona Winter League, a short-season instructional winter league affiliated with the Golden Baseball League and play in the...
and Yuma Scorpions, who were originally scheduled to play in the league, but were dropped prior to the start of the inaugural season. They began play on July 2nd. The Surf Dawgs, instead of the Scorpions, have become the first team to have played in all three leagues within the GBL system.
They were awarded the ASL Championship in 2010 and 2011.
Possible GBL return
The GBL has mentioned the possibility of the Surf Dawgs return to the league for 2010. The team still does not have a suitable ballpark to play on, but the league website is saying that it should change by 2010. The team's official website was temporarily shut down in late June of 2009, possibly for revamping as the team is expected to return according to the league. But the website returned in August. It is uncertain whether or not the team is up for sale.Season-by-season records
Golden Baseball League:| Season | W | L | Win % | Place | Playoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 52 | 38 | N/A | 1st, California Division | Won California Division Defeated Mesa in the Championship Series. |
| 2006 | 35 (16/19) | 45 (24/21) | N/A | 4th | Did not qualify. |
Arizona Winter League:
| Season | W | L | Win % | Place | Playoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 (as Sonora) | 10 | 11 | .476 | 3rd | Did not qualify. |
| 2008 | 10 | 9 | .526 | 3rd | Lost to Canada in Playoffs. |
| 2009 | 7 | 13 | .350 | 4th, American Division | Did not qualify. |
Arizona Summer League:
| Season | W | L | Win % | Place | Playoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 5 | 9 | .357 | 3rd | No playoffs. |
| 2010 | 6 | 3 | .650 | 1st | Awarded Championship. |