Western Baseball League (1997-1998)
Tombstone
Born: January 7, 1997 – The Long Beach Riptide relocate to Mission Viejo, CA1Messina, Frank. “Baseball Team’s Officials Pitch Good Times for South County Families”. The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA). January 8, 1997
Folded: November 25, 19982WIRE SERVICE REPORTS. “Vigilantes, 3 Other WBL Teams Fold”. The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA), November 26, 1998
First Game: May 23, 1997 (L 12-5 vs. Chico Heat)
Last Game: September 2, 1998 (W 5-0 @ Sonoma County Crushers)
Western League Championships: None
Stadium
Mission Viejo Stadium (3,600)31998 Mission Viejo Vigilantes Program
Opened: 1997
Dimensions (1998): 320′ – 380′ – 320′
Marketing
Team Colors: Black, Royal Blue & White41998 Mission Viejo Vigilantes Program
Ownership & Affiliation
Owners: Dennis Narlinger, Pat Elster, Paula Pyers, Bobby Grich
Major League Affiliation: Independent
Attendance
Tap (mobile) or mouse over chart for figures. Tilting your mobile device may offer better viewing.
Source: 1999 Western Baseball League Media Guide & Record Book
Background
The Vigilantes were a short-lived independent baseball outfit that moved from Long Beach to Mission Viejo in 1997 in pursuit of a proposed $6M 4,500-seat new baseball stadium.5Foster, Chris. “A Lot of City’s Money Riding on Vigilantes’ Appeal”. The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA). May 24, 1997 In the interim, the Vigilantes set up shop at a temporarily upgraded diamond on the campus of Saddleback College. The ballpark project never got off the ground, leading to an exchange of lawsuits between Vigilantes ownership and the city of Mission Viejo and the demise of the team after two seasons.
The Vigilantes were owned by Major League Baseball agent Pat Elster, brother of Texas Rangers shortstop Kevin Elster, and Paula Pyers, an attorney and former captain of the University of Southern California Trojans women’s basketball team during the mid-1980’s. Elster and Pyers also owned the Vigilantes’ division rivals in the Western Baseball League, the Salinas Peppers.
Retired California Angels star Bobby Grich worked in the front office and also held a small piece of the team. Former Angels, Montreal Expos and Milwaukee Brewers field manager Buck Rodgers managed the Vigilantes for both of their seasons.
On The Diamond
The Vigilantes competed in the Western Baseball League. In 1997, the WBL was an all-independent eight-team loop with clubs in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Mission Viejo finished last place in the WBL’s four-team South Division with a 39-51 record in 1997.
In 1998 the Vigilantes improved to 49-41 and tied for second place in the South Division but narrowly missed the playoffs.
The Vigilantes featured a couple of players with prior Major League experience, including former U.S. Olympian and Montreal Expos infielder Bret Barberie (’97), former Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros catcher Carl Nichols (’97) and ex-Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Wally Ritchie (’98). Barberie was able to leverage his season in Mission Viejo to return to a full season of triple-A ball in the Texas Rangers organization in 1998 before retiring at the end of that season.
One Vigilante – pitcher Jim Rushford (’97) – went on to debut in the Major Leagues after playing in Mission Viejo. Interestingly, by the team he earned a September call-up with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1992, Rushford had converted to playing outfield.
Trivia
The first pitch of the Vigilantes’ home debut on May 23, 1997 was delayed 25 minutes when the limousine of actress/singer Susan Anton, booked to perform the National Anthem, got stuck in traffic.6Kresal, Steve. “Vigilantes Get Opening-Night Jitters”. The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA). May 24, 1997
Links
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