Wave of Changes Hits Pacific Coast League
Several new affiliations, division swaps, a new team, new name and new ballpark impact 16-team league for 2019
The 2019 season brought numerous changes to the 16-team Pacific Coast League after a busy offseason.
The San Antonio Missions joined the 16-team league, four other teams switched their Major League affiliations, Oklahoma City swapped divisions and Las Vegas’ team was renamed to coincide with the team’s move to a new ballpark.
Colorado Springs’ Triple-A franchise relocated to San Antonio for 2019. Colorado Springs had been a member of the PCL for 31 years. The Missions previously played in the Double-A Texas League most recently from 1968–2018 and served as a San Diego Padres affiliate from 2007–18.
The now-Triple-A Missions will serve as an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and continue to play at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, which opened in 1994.
The Missions and Dodgers played on Opening Weekend as part of a five-game series and are scheduled to meet 11 more times in 2019, including this week on the road in San Antonio.
As a result of San Antonio’s admission to the league, the OKC Dodgers switched to the American Southern Division for 2019 after winning the American Northern Division title in 2018.
The Dodgers were not the only American Conference team to swap divisions and will now compete in their new division against the New Orleans Baby Cakes, Round Rock Express and San Antonio. The American Northern Division now consists of the Iowa Cubs, Memphis Redbirds, Nashville Sounds and Omaha Storm Chasers after Memphis and Nashville joined the division.
Four PCL teams also swapped their Major League affiliations for this season.
The Fresno Grizzlies are now affiliated with the Washington Nationals (previously the Houston Astros). The Nashville Sounds are now affiliated with the Texas Rangers (previously the Oakland A’s). The Round Rock Express are now affiliated with the Houston Astros (previously the Texas Rangers) and Las Vegas is now affiliated with the Oakland A’s (previously the New York Mets, whose Triple-A affiliate is now competing in the International League).
In addition to a new affiliation, the Las Vegas team has a new name for 2019, as well as a new ballpark. The Las Vegas Aviators (formerly the 51s) will take the field this season at the new 10,000-seat, $150 million Las Vegas Ballpark located in Summerlin, Nev.
According to the Aviators website, the team’s name change pays homage to the namesake of the team’s ownership group, the Howard Hughes Corporation. Hughes had a passion for aviation and legacy of innovation in the industry in addition to his success has a businessman.
Their new ballpark includes 22 suites, party zones and decks, a kids’ zone, bars and a pool beyond the outfield wall.
The Dodgers will play at the new ballpark Aug. 2–5 when they travel to play the Aviators during a West Coast road trip.
