9/17/2011-The Pecos League did not get a positive response from the City of Carlsbad for placing a team in Carlsbad in the 2012 season. There is not a facility available right now for the Bats to play in. Caveman Corral will not suite the needs for a professional team. Lea Street Park would need major renovations. Currently neither have the ability to sell alcohol. The Pecos League will play between 4-6 games in 2012 in Artesia which is easily close enough for Baseball Fans in Carlsbad to drive to game.
The facility in Artesia is 2nd to none in Southeast New Mexico. The Pecos League office has received numerous inquires about why there is not a full time team in Carlsbad. We do not control the facilities, it is up to the City of Carlsbad. The Pecos League has successfully worked with 8 other cities in New Mexico and Colorado but we must have support for the local city government. In Carlsbad we do not have the support so we will not risk putting a team there.
Timeline of Carlsbad
  • 8/10/2010 When the Pecos League was formed in 2010 Carlsbad was in the center of the league geographically, close to Alpine and within striking distance to all New Mexico Cities. Carlsbad was granted a team to play in the Caveman Corral. Carlsbad is often dubbed Baseball Capital of New Mexico.
  • 1/5/2011 The original Pecos League Schedule had both Carlsbad and Clovis on it. Original talks went well with Jamie Bardoza from Carlsbad ISD. However in January the Carlsbad ISD Officials decided that they did not want a pro team in their town.
  • 2/1/2011 The Pecos League was left with 5 teams and had a set of CB (Coastal Baseball Uniforms), the CB quickly turned into the Carlsbad Bats as a 100% travel team
  • 6/29/2011 Father's Day weekend Alpine had a issue come up with Kokernot Field and the Pecos League needed to move the series somewhere. Jamie Bardoza said he would allow the Pecos League to play at his high school field.
  • 6/30/2011 The Pecos League played 3 games in Carlsbad and had the worst attendence in the history of the league. The final game on Monday Night had around 70 people.
  • 8/2/2011 The Mayor of Carlsbad and others insisted that support would be ok in Carlsbad if a team was brought in.
  • 8/5/2011 The Mayor informed the Pecos League that alcohol would not be possible
  • 9/16/2011 The Pecos League decided it has very limited support in Carlsbad and will attempt to place a team in Pecos Texas.
  • The Pecos League will consider putting a team in the so called "Baseball Capital of New Mexico" in future when it is believed the team will be fully supported.
  • If there is an outright travel team again the Pecos League will consider naming the team the Carlsbad Bats.