PIONEER LEAGUE EXPANDS TO OAKLAND, CA

Oakland Ballers to Launch New Pacific Coast Division of PBL

Micah Franklin Named Manager

Windsor, CO, November 28th, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Pioneer Baseball League presented by TicketSmarter today announced that in 2024 it will be

expanding to Oakland, CA with the launch of its first team, the Oakland Ballers, in its newly

planned Pacific West Division.

"I am so excited to usher in the next chapter of the Pioneer League's future with our expansion

to Oakland, California," said PBL President Mike Shapiro. "Launching our first club in

Oakland underscores the PBL's spirit of innovation and commitment to providing the very best

fan and player development experiences. The richly diverse Oakland community, with its

historic baseball heritage, is a perfect first step for the PBL's expansion beyond its foundational

roots in the Mountain West states."

The Oakland Ballers, and the club's Co-Founders, Oakland-natives Paul Freedman and Bryan

Carmel, were introduced at a press conference attended by Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, rapper

Mistah F.A.B. and the Baller's named manager, former MLB player and coach, Micah Franklin.

"I strongly believe that the real value of a sports team is in its relationship to the community it

serves. Baseball is a sport with deep roots in this country and a rich legacy in the East Bay.

That's why with the Oakland B's we intend to build a team committed to honoring that legacy

and our community. With the Oakland B's, we are going to bring joy back to the game and give

Oaklanders something to be proud of," said Paul Freedman, co-founder of the Oakland Ballers.

The Oakland Ballers have obtained $2 million in initial funding from nearly 50 investors linked

to Oakland and the wider East Bay region.

The Ballers also announced a formidable coaching and operations team, including the

appointment of Don Wakamatsu, serving as the EVP of Baseball Operations for the Ballers.

Wakamatsu, a former professional baseball player, notably made history as the first

Asian-American manager in MLB history during his tenure with the Seattle Mariners.

Franklin, a native of San Francisco, joins as the team's Manager, boasting 17 years of experience

in professional baseball both as a player and scout. Additionally, Ray King, also with major

league pitching and coaching experience, will assume the role of the Ballers' Pitching Coach.

"As a proud Bay Area native, it is a tremendous honor for me to step into the role of Manager for

the Oakland Ballers. This opportunity is not just about baseball; it's about honoring the Bay

Area baseball community and legacy. I am honored to be a part of a movement to prioritize fans,

celebrate our unique culture, and build community. Together with the Oakland Ballers, I am

dedicated to bringing a new era of championship baseball to The Town," said Franklin.

In addition to the Ballers, there will be another PBL team located in Northern California that will

be announced in January.

About the Oakland Ballers:

The Oakland Ballers (aka the B's) is a new professional baseball team launching in the Spring of

2024. The B's will join the Pioneer League, which was founded in 1939, as its first ever West

Coast franchise. The B's are backed by almost 50 Bay Area sports fans, who believe that the true

value of a sports team is its power to bring people together. The Oakland Ballers are dedicated to

delivering a joyful, community focused experience for Oakland and the entire East Bay. We vow

to never leave town. Built by Oakland, for Oakland, forever Oakland.

About the Pioneer Baseball League presented by TicketSmarter:

Since 1939, the Pioneer Baseball League has operated in the Mountain West region as an MLB

affiliate league. Beginning in 2021, the PBL became an MLB Professional Partner League with

clubs in Montana (Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Kalispell), Idaho (Boise and Idaho Falls),

Utah (Ogden), and Colorado (Grand Junction, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs). For more

information go to www.pioneerleague.com.

About TicketSmarter:

TicketSmarter is the official ticket resale partner of Rose Bowl Stadium and the title sponsor of

the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl with ESPN Events - for more information, follow

@Birmingham_Bowl on Twitter. Additionally, TicketSmarter is the official ticket resale partner

of more than 40 minor league baseball clubs, 35 collegiate conferences including the Pac-12

Conference and Big Ten Conference, and 300-plus universities nationwide. Stay updated with

TicketSmarter at https://TicketSmarter.com