Oakland’s New Baseball Team, The Oakland B’s Launch
In response to the void created by the departure of the Oakland A’s, a group of A’s fans, community leaders and more have banded together to steal back Oakland’s baseball legacy.
In response to the void created by the departure of the Oakland A's, a group of A's fans, community leaders and more have banded together to steal back Oakland's baseball legacy. At a press conference hosted at the Oakland Estuary, near Laney College, at 11 AM PT on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, Oakland's newest professional sports team, the Oakland Ballers (aka the Oakland B's), will be unveiled.
"I strongly believe that the real value of a sports team is in its relationship to the community it serves. Baseball is a sport with deep roots in this country and a rich legacy in the East Bay. That could never be owned by one person. That's why with the Oakland B's we intend to build a team committed to honoring that legacy and our community. With the Oakland Bs, we are going to bring joy back to the game and give Oaklanders something to be proud of," said Paul Freedman, co-founder of the Oakland Ballers.
"Like all sports fans, Paul and I love underdog stories, and what could be a better one than bringing pro baseball back to The Town? We refuse to let the departure of one team be the final chapter in Oakland's baseball legacy. That's why we're coming together to steal baseball back for Oakland. Together with the people of Oakland and the broader East Bay, we're building the next Bay Area championship team," said Bryan Carmel, co-founder of the Oakland Ballers.
The Oakland Ballers are committed to staying in Oakland forever and are working on a plan to play their first season at the Laney College Baseball Field, starting Spring 2024. At the team's launch press conference, the team founders, Paul Freedman and Bryan Carmel will be joined by Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, US Congressional Candidate for CA-D12 Lateefah Simon, Oakland artist Mistah F.A.B, President of the Oakland 68's Jorge Leon, Don Wakamatsu, EVP of Baseball Operations for the Oakland Ballers, and Micah Franklin, the Oakland Ballers Manager.
"Sports are about community in Oakland. We ride to the ends of the earth for our teams. That's why I'm excited to celebrate the launch of the Oakland Ballers. Oakland baseball fans proved again and again their love for the game. The Ballers will be ambassadors for the Town and demonstrate our spirit, hustle, and resilience to the world. Let's play ball, Oakland!" said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.
"Oakland worked tirelessly to keep the A's home. Unfortunately, the desires of fans was not the driving force in this decision. That's why it's important for Oakland to build something new, that will prioritize the people who make Oakland great. Sports are incredible community builders and it is critical that we continue to foster initiatives like the Oakland Ballers to ensure our city always has a space for joy and fun to give us the fuel we need to move forward," said Oakland City Council President Nikki Fortunado Bas.
"As a proud resident and Congressional candidate for CA-12 I am honored to stand here today to say yes to the Oakland Ballers. Oakland is such a beautiful epicenter for culture and resistance. The incredible fan led Sell Movement was a truly vibrant outpouring of this spirit. And that resilient spirit continues as we come together to build a team that will, yet again, make Oakland a championship city. We are here to show the world that Oakland can give a wholehearted yes to reimagining our future, to building up community driven institutions that bring us together to collectively shape our home for the better. This is The Town. We know what we're made of, and we're here to show the world, today and always," said Lateefah Simon, candidate for California's 12th Congressional District.
The Oakland Ballers are driven to reimagine the relationship between sports teams and their fans. That is why the B's have collaborated extensively with the Oakland Sell Movement to reset the standard for the relationship between fans and the teams they support.
"Oakland baseball has been part of our DNA for a long time, and our fanbase is truly unique and genuine. A lot of ownerships have taken for granted the fans and have tried to take baseball away from us but this year we organized a movement that got the attention of an entire nation. Now, we're here with the Oakland Ballers to take baseball back for our community, fans and for the town. We will never let a billionaire dictate the end of professional baseball here in Oakland—a tradition so alive and undervalued. I couldn't be more excited to be part of the effort to support the Oakland Ballers, building on the decades-long and deeply rooted legacy of Oakland as a baseball town. We're going to continue to have Oakland baseball because Oakland never quits," said Jorge Leon, President of the Oakland 68's.
"Watching the news of the A's leaving made me sad for Oakland, but it also made me feel like Oakland needed to do something to keep baseball in the Town. That's why I'm proud to support the Oakland Ballers, as they build something for our city that actually cares about the fans, and cares proving to the world that Oakland is a cultural shaper of the world," said Mistah F.A.B, Oakland rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, community organizer and activist.
The B's will join the historic Pioneer Baseball League (PBL), becoming the league's first ever West Coast franchise. The Pioneer League was founded in 1939 and has teams playing out of Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Utah and now, California. The PBL is an independent MLB Partner League with the 12 team league playing a 96-game season from May to mid-September.
In an effort to secure future championship titles for Oakland, the Ballers have poured extensive resources into hiring a strong coaching and operations staff. This includes Don Wakamatsu who is the EVP of Baseball Operations for the Ballers and a former professional baseball player who went on to become the first Asian-American manager in MLB history with the Seattle Mariners. Additionally, San Francisco native, Micah Franklin has been brought on as the B's Manager, with 17 years of a professional baseball career as both a player and scout. Ray King is the Ballers newest Pitching Coach who brings major league pitching and coaching experience.
"Nothing brings people together quite like sports, and that was why I was so inspired by the incredible Oakland baseball fans. As the MLB's first Asian-American manager, I know how critical sports are to building bridges across diverse communities. That is why I am honored to be joining the Oakland Ballers in bringing to life their vision of building a championship team that will prioritize fans first and stay in Oakland forever. Together, we aim to create a lasting impact that extends beyond the field, enriching the lives of Oaklanders and uniting us through the love of the game," said Don Wakamatsu, EVP of Baseball Operations, Oakland Ballers.
"As a proud Bay Area native, it is a tremendous honor for me to step into the role of Manager for the Oakland Ballers. This opportunity is not just about baseball; it's about honoring the Bay Area baseball community and legacy. I am honored to be a part of a movement to prioritize fans, celebrate our unique culture, and build community. Together with the Oakland Ballers, I am dedicated to bringing a new era of championship baseball to The Town," said Micah Franklin, Manager, Oakland Ballers.
The Oakland Ballers have secured $2 million in seed funding from almost 50 investors with ties to Oakland and the broader East Bay. Inspired by the success of the Oakland Roots, the Ballers are committed to centering fan ownership. Fans will have the opportunity to become part owners of the team through a public crowdfunding campaign to be launched in 2024.
