Independent baseball provides no shortage of the weird and wacky - whether it's a team giving away a wedding or manure (really) to its fans, or former major- leaguer Jose Lima making a comeback.
The Tucson Toros will undergo some new twists when the season opens tonight at Hi Corbett Field.
The Golden Baseball League dropped the designated hitter and adopted National League rules, so pitchers will hit. In addition, Tucson will host the All-Star Game on July 14, and teams in Maui and Tijuana have joined the league.
We bring you up to speed on the major changes:
1. NL rules: In a move to try to shorten games and make pitchers more attractive to major-league organizations, Toros owner Jay Zucker said, the GBL will employ NL rules. Zucker said fans will also enjoy seeing pitchers hit.
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But Toros manager Tim Johnson said he dislikes the change, because pitchers could get injured hitting or running the bases.
"I'm not fond of what's going on, but we've got to do it, and we'll see what happens," Johnson said. "The fear is having a pitcher hurt, running the bases, pulling a hamstring. They don't know how to slide. They're going to run fast and step and twist an ankle on a bag. The (team) that has the least amount of pitcher injuries will win."
"It's always fun until you look stupid," opening day starter Vince Davis said, adding he'll mostly be bunting.
2. All-Star Game: The Toros will host festivities - including a fan fest, home run derby and player banquet - July 12-14. Zucker said the event will cost about a quarter of a million dollars, but the economic impact might be $2 million to $3 million.
"It's going to bring scouts here and exposure to Tucson we haven't seen for a long time," Zucker said.
3. New teams: The Toros will make a trip to Hawaii to play the Na Koa Ikaika, otherwise known as the Strong Warriors, on July 15-21. Unlike last season, the team will make one trip to Canada (Aug. 5-17) instead of two, offsetting extra cost to fly to Hawaii.
Tijuana joins the league after withdrawing shortly before the 2009 season because of financial issues around the time of the H1N1 outbreak. Zucker said he feels the Cimarrones can be a good rival.
"The league is getting stronger," Johnson said.
4. New star: She's 5 feet tall, 18 years old, fresh out of high school, Japanese and throws a knuckleball that floats. A student of Tim Wakefield, Eri Yoshida will pitch for the Chico Outlaws, who will play in Tucson on July 6-8.
Yoshida was the first female drafted by a Japanese professional team when the Kobe 9 Cruise chose her in 2008. The Outlaws signed her out of the Arizona Winter League, where Johnson also watched her.
"She's great," Johnson said.
5. Coaches: While Johnson returns for his second season, he will have new coaches. Stan Cliburn, a manager for 22 years and a former catcher, is the hitting coach. Jason Jacome, a former major-leaguer and Rincon High School product, is the pitching coach.
Of note around the league:
• Former Seattle Mariner Bret Boone will manage the Victoria Seals.
• Former St. George Roadrunners manager Cory Snyder takes over Maui.
• Garry Templeton moves to Chico after Long Beach disbanded, because the Armada was unable to reach a lease agreement at its ballpark.
IF YOU GO
• What: Season opener vs. Edmonton
• When: 7 tonight
• Where: Hi Corbett Field
• Tickets: $6 to $10
• More info: tucsontoros.com
