Sonora Pilots
Encyclopedia
The Sonora Pilots are a professional independent baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona
and represent Sonora, Mexico. They play in the International Division of the developmental Arizona Winter League
, a short-season instructional winter league sanctioned by the North American League
and they play their home games at Desert Sun Stadium
in Yuma, along with the Canada Miners, San Diego Surf Dawgs
and Yuma Scorpions
. They are not affiliated with Major League Baseball
or Minor League Baseball
.
team of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League
. They were initially managed by Benny Castillo
during their original 2-year AWL run. The team did not return after two seasons in November 2008 and were replaced by Team Canada.
On July 10, 2009, they were announced as set to play in 2010 in the Arizona Winter League
, again playing at Desert Sun Stadium. However, an October 23, 2009, update does not have them coming back to the AWL after all. They could be invited to play in another league in the future. On January 5, 2011, they were announced to be returning to play in the International Division for the 2011 season.
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....
and represent Sonora, Mexico. They play in the International Division of the developmental 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...
, a short-season instructional winter league sanctioned by the North American League
North American League
The North American League is an independent baseball league that began play in the 2011 season...
and they play their home games 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, along with the Canada Miners, 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,...
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...
. They are not affiliated with 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...
.
Team history
The team started as the Snow Falcons and they used the logo and uniforms of the inactive Surprise Fightin' FalconsSurprise 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...
team of 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....
. They were initially managed by Benny Castillo
Benny Castillo
Benigno Enrique "Benny" Castillo is a former professional baseball player and manager.- Early life :...
during their original 2-year AWL run. The team did not return after two seasons in November 2008 and were replaced by Team Canada.
On July 10, 2009, they were announced as set to play in 2010 in the 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...
, again playing at Desert Sun Stadium. However, an October 23, 2009, update does not have them coming back to the AWL after all. They could be invited to play in another league in the future. On January 5, 2011, they were announced to be returning to play in the International Division for the 2011 season.
Season-by-season records
Arizona Winter League:| Season | W | L | Win % | Place | Playoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 6 | 15 | .286 | 4th | Did not qualify. |
| 2008 | 5 | 14 | .263 | 6th | Did not qualify. |