Tucson Toros pro-baseball in Tucson plays on with the independent GBL
Tucson Toros are associated with an independent professional baseball league
Most professional baseball franchises across the United States are exclusively “affiliated” with one Major League baseball team.
However, there is a new breed of professional baseball teams that are “independent.” That means they work non-exclusively with all 30 Major League organizations.
The Golden Baseball League (GBL, formed in 2005 as an independent baseball league, is now beginning its fourth season hosting Independent League teams in California, Utah and Canada (former Triple-A PCL markets).
There are teams in Yuma; Chino, Calif.; Fullerton, Calif.; Long Beach, Calif.; St. George, Utah; Reno, Nevada; and Canada. The Golden League baseball season runs from late May to the end of August.
Over the past three seasons, the GBL has featured such baseball greats as Rickey Henderson and José Canseco, along with 40 other former Major League players and top Minor League prospects. The level of play by GBL teams has been stated by officials in the baseball industry to be consistent with that of Double A Minor League baseball.
The 2009 Tucson Toros roster will consist of professional baseball players that are employed by the Tucson Toros, not an out of state Major League team. Many of these players have played for other affiliated teams and some as Major League alumni.
Source: Tucson Toros 9-1-08
