3/15/2020-For the first time in Pecos League History, the Pecos League is buying an outside existing team. And the team is a very familiar face to say the least for those on the West Coast.

Last year, a major fallout between the Pacific Association and the San Rafael Pacifics the two-time defending champion and founding member of the league left questions about whether professional baseball would return to Marin in 2020.

But the Pecos League finally provided an answer on Friday, purchasing the Pacifics from former owner Gabe Suarez in a deal that promises to bring independent ball to Albert Park beginning May 28.

"We think itll be a good city for the Pecos League, no doubt, I am very surprised things went this direction. Mr Suarez called me and notified me that he wanted to sell the team to the Pecos League and the Pecos League Only. Obviously the Pacific Association and the Suarezs werent going to see eye to eye. They tried to start their own league but they would be tough." commissioner Andrew Dunn said. "On the terms of the sale we cannot operate the team in the Pacific Association which is crazy because San Rafael is the premier team in the Pacific Association and the premier team in the state of California as far as independent ball. Theyve been the gem of that Pacific Association forever. We have Monterey, Santa Cruz and Martinez so we will have our own division of the Bay Area. We are no strangers to California and have had Bakersfield, High Desert and Monterey since 2017 when the Cal League Contracted."

Suarez, who will stay with the Pacifics as a consultant, is still looking to remodel Albert Park. If Suarez is successful in renovating the field, he reserves the right to retake ownership of the team.

They are trying build condos at Albert Park, I dont know how that is possible. If that project goes forward," Dunn said, "they can buy the team back for the terms and conditions which they had within one year. For 2021 it will be the Pecos League."

For now, though, the Pacifics join the nearby Martinez Sturgeon as newcomers to the Pecos Leagues Pacific Division, which features six squads from California. The Pacific Division champion will face the winner of the eight-team Mountain Division in a championship series during the second week of August.

"A lot of people reached out to us saying, Oh my god, (San Rafael) is beautiful," said Dunn. "Theyre going to come out there, theyre going to visit it. We just want to stop talking about the coronavirus and start talking about baseball. If we dont play in 2020 we will play in 2021. It will be better anyways. We want this to be a permanent team in the Pecos League. I dont know what will happen to the Pacific Association."

Steve Detwiler, a Fresno State baseball star and current San Rafael High coach who hit the first home run in Pacifics history back in 2012, actually started his independent ball career in the Pecos League with the Las Cruces Vaqueros. There were only a few other teams at the time, but it has since expanded, even becoming the subject of a six-episode reality TV series.

"Its blown up," Detwiler said of the Pecos League. "You dont get paid a ton, but its a lot of young guys who are a lot more invested because theyre just getting out of their collegiate careers." The Pecos League is unique in implementing rules that encourage young talent. All players on the 22-man roster must be born on or after Jan. 1, 1994, with the exception of three veterans. "A lot of these kids think theyve been overlooked," Detwiler said. "Theres a lot of energy. Kids are really passionate. And its a lot less minor leaguers like the Pacifics had. Its going to be a different kind of ball. Its going to be faster-paced, a little more aggressive and a little more emotional." The Pacifics are expected to announce tryouts for local talent in the near future. "What I hope that they do is go out and get some local guys," Detwiler added. "It made it more interesting for the fans when youre going out there and seeing familiar faces. I know theres a lot of really good baseball players who come out of Marin and itd be fun to see those guys, support those guys and maybe move onto the next level."