Scorpions not moving to Mexicali

Looks like after reports of a potential move from Yuma to Mexicali, the Scorpions will be staying in the only home they've ever had in the southwest corner of Arizona. A report in yesterday's Yuma Sun - the local newspaper - says that according to GBL CEO Dave Kaval there are no plans to move the team midseason, but they will try to play a game or two, maybe a series, in Mexicali during this season.

Here's the report from the Yuma Sun:

Scorps staying in Yuma
June 10, 2010 10:09 PM
ROB WEILER - SUN STAFF WRITER

Reports of a potential move of the Yuma Scorpions organization to Mexicali, Mexico are being denied by the Golden Baseball League and explained as a miscommunication according to team and league officials.

GBL CEO Dave Kaval said the league is trying to work out a deal to showcase the Scorpions for a select number of games in Mexicali this season, similar to what the team has done in previous years in San Luis, Ariz. and El Centro, Calif.

“We've been in serious conversation with moving select series' to Mexicali for the last nine months to make it a more regional team,” Kaval said. “Obviously the logistics of playing in Mexico need more time to get worked out, but I think we will still have a series there, and that's a win for the league, but it's not that we're moving the whole team.”

Local CBS affiliate KSWT-13 reported on its website on June 6 that the team was leaving the city, citing a conversation with team president Ricky Smith. Smith is the owner and president of Golden Glove Professional Baseball, which owns the Scorpions.

“He (Smith) says between having the highest payroll in the Golden Baseball league and the poorest fan attendance in the league, it is time to move on,” the report said. “As for their new home, he has decided to move the team to Mexicali and the move could come as early as next week.”

Yuma Scorpions vice president of baseball operations Peter Young said Smith could not be contacted because he was in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico with the Tecate Brewers, who are also affiliated with the organziation.

“Somebody in the office called and asked if we were moving, and I had no idea where that came from,” Young said. “Some of the fans were even buzzing about it a couple nights ago. I didn't understand.”

Young confirmed there is still a chance of hosting a Scorpions game in Mexicali but not likely an entire series, and that there are no plans as of yet to visit El Centro or San Luis.

“The El Centro field is not good enough,” Young said. “There is a possibility for San Luis, but we'd have to go down there with the pitching coach and a couple others to make sure they have a look at that field and the mound and that everything is safe for our players.”

The Golden Baseball League has a history of moving in and out of cities, particularly the past two years with the league's expansion and addition of teams in Canada, Mexico and Hawaii, but has never moved a team during a season.

“It's not forbidden, but that's not the plan,” Kaval said of a mid-season move. “We have an agreement and a great relationship with the city of Yuma.”

The Scorpions (14-5) begin a two-game series at Chico tonight, then have two days off before hosting the Outlaws Tuesday night at Desert Sun Stadium.

So that's good news for the folks of Yuma, who have called the Scorpions their home team since the 2005 inaugural GBL season.