The Nevada Bighorns have taken the first step to bring big-time college level summer baseball to Carson City.
The Sierra Baseball League has been formed and will begin play in the summer of 2009. The Bighorns have committed to play in the league.
The next step for the Bighorns is to come up with the $5,000 franchise fee that will be due in October to join the league. Those involved with the Bighorns believe the $5,000 fee is well worth it considering what the league offers. "It's a chance we've got to take," Bighorns coach Dennis Young said.
A major reason why the league is attractive is the Humboldt (Calif.) Crabs have also agreed to join the league. The Crabs are arguably the West Coast's premiere college-level summer team.
It's planned for the league to have eight Northern California area and eight Southern California teams. Playoffs in the Northern and Southern Divisions will be held with the top two or four teams from each division advancing to the playoffs. The Northern and Southern champions would then play each other for the overall league title.
An all-star game will also be held with the top Northern players facing the top Southern players.
Each eight-team league would have a 28-game league schedule consisting of four-game series against the other seven teams. Whichever team that hosts the four-game series would travel the following year to face that opponent.
Home series for the Bighorns would likely be held at Carson High's Ron McNutt Field and/or Western Nevada College's John L. Harvey Field. Each league series would consist of four nine-inning games. Among the other teams comitted to the league are Medford, Ore., and Redding and Lodi of California.
With its operating costs and having to come up with the $5,000 franchise fee, fund-raising efforts are underway. A golf tournament to benefit the team will be held on June 15 at Dayton Valley Country Club.
Shotgun start is 8 a.m. Cost is $125 per person and hole sponsorships are available for $100. Lunch is included.
The Bighorns will begin their second season this summer with a schedule that includes a trip to Humboldt to face the Crabs and several games again against the Reno Astros.
Anyone interested in becoming involved in any way with the Bighorns, whether it be volunteering or becoming a sponsor can call Young, 267-2283 or Mike Petterson, 750-4450 (cell) or 882-4450 (work).