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The team is set to start playing in May of 2026.
MODESTO, Calif. — Just weeks after the Modesto Nuts played their final game at John Thurmond Field, a new team is preparing to take the diamond. Pioneer League officials spoke Thursday in front of City Hall about why they chose Modesto and what the future holds.
Mayor Sue Zwahlen led the celebration as she proclaimed, “Let’s play ball.”
City leaders say the announcement is a home run after losing the longtime Minor League team, which moved to Southern California weeks ago after nearly 80 years in Modesto.
“It was a unanimous vote,” Zwahlen said. “It was really important to keep baseball here in Modesto, not to just bring it back… Every ticket sold, every pitch thrown, every homerun celebrated is part of something bigger.”
The unanimous vote last week approved bringing a Pioneer League team to John Thurmond Field for at least the next five years.
As part of the deal, the city will cover costs for utilities, maintenance, repairs and exterior landscaping, up to $950,000. In return, the city will receive $120,000 per year in rent, with a 4% annual increase, while also retaining sales tax and naming rights revenue.
“This is a fabulous community, centrally located and for the Pioneer League, the fact that the ballpark is just spectacular and that the community has supported minor league baseball in the past,” Pioneer League President Mike Shapiro said. “What we do is give these young players a chance to climb the ladder when most of their other options have been closed…. It’s a process of recruiting players, generally players that have either been overlooked in the Major League draft or who were drafted but have been released for some reason.”
When the new team begins play in May, it will already have a rival: the Oakland Ballers.
League leaders say they hope to expand to more California cities soon. They are also hosting a contest to allow fans to help name the new team.
Team owner Dave Heller said the goal goes beyond baseball.
“The only promise I’m going to make to you is I promise you, we will have fun,” said Heller. “We are going to give back to this community. We are going to create opportunities for this community, and we want to make John Thurmond Field a place that is open and frequented by the community, not just on the 48 home games, but throughout the year.”
Watch more from ABC10: Modesto Baseball Team 2026: Pioneer League launches fan naming contest
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