Tombstone
Formed: October 18, 1945
Disbanded: July 23, 1946
First Game: May 12, 1946 (Oakland Larks 8 vs. San Diego Tigers 7 @ Fresno)
Final Games: July 22, 1946 (Oakland @ Seattle, San Diego @ Los Angeles, Portland @ San Francisco)
Seasons: 1
States: WA, OR, CA
Leadership
President: Abe Saperstein (later replaced by Stan Newlin)
Vice President: Jesse Owens
Secretary: David Portlock
Chairman: Edward Harris
Trophy Case
Background
The West Coast Negro Baseball Association (WCNBA) was formed in 1945 as an attempt to bring top level negro baseball to the Pacific Coast region. At a meeting of the High Marine Social Club at the Elks Clubhouse in Oakland, California, two Berkeley firefighters, Edward Harris and David Portlock established the WCNBA.
They soon got in touch with sports impresario Abe Saperstein, the man behind the Harlem Globetrotters, who helped organize the circuit. He, in turn, pulled in Olympic superstar Jesse Owens, who became league vice president and owner of the Portland Rosebuds franchise.
Saperstein took the Seattle franchise and transplanted his Harlem Globetrotters baseball team to the Pacific Northwest. The team was renamed the Seattle Steelheads.
The WCNBA teams used the stadiums of Pacific Coast League teams, but interest in the new loop was spotty at best. The league was a few years ahead of its time, as many of city’s that hosted WCNBA teams wouldn’t see massive population growth until a few years after the league folded.
Our Favorite Gear
West Coast Negro Baseball Association Jerseys
When it comes to high-quality replica jerseys, turn to Royal Retros, who put extraordinary detail into their fully customizable baseball jerseys, including those for the West Coast Negro Baseball Association teams, as well as other Negro Leagues teams. T-Shirts and caps too!
Free Customization Included
Each jersey individually handmade
Any name and number
Sewn tackle twill crest, numbers & letters
100% polyester
Heavyweight fabric made to game standards
Honor the memory of the great Nego Leagues ball players in great apparel from Royal Retros
West Coast Negro Baseball Association Franchise List
| FRANCHISE | YEARS ACTIVE | CHAMPIONSHIPS | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles White Sox | 1946 | NONE | |
| Oakland Larks | 1946 | 1946 | In first place when league folded. |
| Portland Rosebuds | 1946 | NONE | |
| San Diego Tigers | 1946 | NONE | Played one series as Fresno Tigers |
| San Francisco Sea Lions | 1946 | NONE | |
| Seattle Steelheads | 1946 | NONE |
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