History
2022
In 2022 the Sonoma Stompers started their transition into the California Collegiate League (CCL). The CCL is a top 3 rated collegiate league, in part funded by Major League Baseball. With nationally recognized teams such as the Santa Barbara Foresters, San Luis Obispo Blues, and others, the league has gained a widespread audience.
2022 Sonoma Stompers
2020 & 2021 Suspended due to COVID-19
2019 Sonoma Stompers Team Photo
2019
In early June, Stompers reliever Cole Watts was signed by the Idaho Falls Chukars, Kansas City Royals Rookie Ball affiliate. Among Watts, a total of eight Sonoma Stompers were promoted throughout the season, setting a Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs record. The ball club did not miss a beat, holding a regular season best 45-19.
Over the Stompers six year tenure, the club holds a record of 287-168 over 455 games played. Totaling a win percentage of .630%
Reigning Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs Manager of the Year Zack Pace collected his 100th professional managerial win,now holding a career record of 102-42 as the Stompers skipper.
At the conclusion of the season, PAPBC Gilded Glove center fielder Dondrei Hubbard would sign with the San Diego Padres organization. Before joining the Lake Erie Crushers in August, Hubbard was leading the Pacific Association with a .364 batting average, 16 home runs and 55 runs batted in.
For the first time in clubs history, the Stompers had a television production where all 40 home games where streamed on local channel 27 and on Sonoma Stompers YouTube channel.
2018
2018 Sonoma Stompers Team Photo
First year General Manager Brett Creamer and Field Manager Zack Pace joined the Stompers organization and led them to a Pacific Association breaking 57 wins. First year professional Kenny Meimerstorf won Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs Rookie of the Year Honors by hitting a franchise best 23 home runs. Closer Jacob Cox set the Pacific Association record with 26 saves. Starting pitchers Ethan Gibbons, Tyler Sharp, Vijay Patel and Kenny Mathews all had significant contributions.
Sonoma Stompers pitcher Stacy Piagno pitching in 2017.
2017
Under new managing partner Jonathan Sebastiani the Stompers finished with a league best 52-26 record. Most notably was female pitcher Stacy Piagno’s seven inning, one run performance against the Pittsburg Diamonds on July 15th. Piagno earned the team its third appearance in Cooperstown in as many years. The team was led by 2016 Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs Most Valuable Player Joel Carranza. The 28 year-old led the team with 14 home runs and 63 RBIs. Other key offensive contributions came from Brennan Metzger, Scott David, Marcus Bradley and Matt Hibbert. Pitchers Juan Espinosa and Taylor Garkow led the pitching staff with six wins each.
2016
Pitcher Kelsie Whitmore and catcher Anna Kimbrel meeting on the mound on July 22nd vs. the Pittsburg Diamonds.
The 2016 season featured the Sonoma Stompers winning their first Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs championship. The team would go on to win both the first and second halves of the season, clinching them as the outright champions. The Stompers made national news on July 22nd when they had the first professional female battery with pitcher Kelsie Whitmore and catcher Anna Kimbrel . Piagno played second base and recorded her first professional hit as well.
Jose Canseco giving Sonoma Stompers mascot “Rawhide” a high five during a game in 2015.
Book cover of Ben Lindberg and Sam Miller’s New York Time Best Steller “The Only Rule Is It Has To Work”
2015
In 2015, Ben Lindberg and Sam Miller wrote a New York Times Best Seller called “The Only Rule Is It Has To Work,” which is about Sam and Ben’s 2015 boots-on-the-ground experience in the Sonoma Stompers front office. The team received national attention when pitcher Sean Conroy became the first openly gay professional baseball player. On June 25th vs. the Vallejo Admirals, Conroy threw a complete game shutout in a 7-0 victory where he would allow just four base runners while striking out 11. Conroy’s uniform was requested by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. The Stompers also signed former Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player, six-time All-Star, two-time World Series Champion, four-time Silver Slugger and Rookie of the Year winner Jose Canseco. During his time with the Stompers, Canseco would hit his last home run to date at historic Arnold Field.
2014
The inaugural season was led by General Manager Theo Fightmaster and Field Manager Ray Serrano. Serrano was a long time affiliated player of the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves. During the clubs first season in the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs, the Stompers placed third with a 36-42 record. Sonoma native Jayce Ray would win the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs Most Valuable Player Award. Ray would hold a .355 average with eight home runs, 18 doubles, 44 RBIs, 62 runs scored and had 21 steals. The next season, he would sign with the Boston Red Sox organization.
2014 Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs Most Valuable Player Jayce Ray sliding home safely vs. the Pittsburg Mettle.
First baseman Joel Carranza would have a team best 19 home runs and 64 RBIs. Erik Gonsavles (7-5, 4.34) would lead the team in innings pitched (106). Former Padres prospect Will Scott (8-6, 4.53) would lead the team in wins. Closer Mike Jackson Jr. would lead the team with nine saves. Longtime Major League Baseball pitcher Bill Lee would pitch in a game for the Stompers.