Part VI - Premier League South
Florida Tropics
Founded: 1995
Stadium: CryptoPlus Field
Global Series Titles: 0
Pennants: 1 (2004)
Playoff Appearances: 11
2023 Finish: 2nd in division (90-72), lost to Washington in PLKOS

Unfortunately, the Tropics have not been nearly as good as their expansion mates up in Charlotte. Granted to the city of Tampa in 1995 to provide competition to the Miami Herons, Florida has not really been giving them competition. Their lone pennant came in 2004 after they beat the Minutemen in the PLDs, but the celebration was short-lived as Cleveland came out on top in the GS. Their only notable player is SP Troy Kitchens, a powerful pitcher at the forefront at that pennant run. While the Tropics have been decent lately, they have not been decent enough to make it past the Knockout Series, if to the playoffs at all.

Houston Comets
Founded: 1965
Stadium: Texan Mattress Park
Global Series Titles: 0
Pennants: 0
Playoff Appearances: 17
2023 Finish: 4th in division (58-104), did not make playoffs

Houston may be the single most depressing team in the CBC to be a fan of. The team has never won a Global Series of even a league pennant, and they have only 17 postseasons to their name after nearly 50 years of play. The comets have had far more losing seasons than winning ones, and their 2023 record was among the worst in the entire league. They do not even have any retired numbers. Who knows if Houston can shape up this season…

Texas Gunslingers
Founded: 1963
Formerly Known As: Dallas Gunslingers (1963-1966)
Stadium: Kurippa Field
Global Series Titles: 2 (1979, 2015)
Pennants: 1 (1979, 2014-16)
Playoff Appearances: 23
2023 Finish: 3rd in division (82-80), lost to Detroit in PLKOS

Far more successful than their cross-state rivals are the Texas Gunslingers, based in the DFW Metroplex. Beating the Comets to Texas by two years, the Gunslingers staggered along for their first decade, then had a miracle season in 1979 thanks to star pitcher Ted Smith, taking a seven-game series against the San Diego Conquistadors to win it all. They had another burst of success in the mid-2010s, making three Global Series in a row, although only winning one, against the Atlanta Peaches. After a short gap in the latter half of the decade, the Gunslingers have made back to back playoff berths, and Texans are excited.

Washington Americans
Founded: 1900
Stadium: Mysticade Stadium
Global Series Titles: 5 (1953, 1986-87, 1991, 2017)
Pennants: 8 (1913, 1953, 1986-87, 1990-91, 1995, 2017)
Playoff Appearances: 25
2023 Finish: 1st in division (113-49), lost to Arizona in PLDS

Even though they were a founding member of the Premier League in 1901, the Washington Americans were very late bloomers, being among the last of the original CBC teams to bag a championship when they beat the Bluebirds in 1953. In the late 20th century, though, they more than made up for it, winning 5 Premier League pennants and 3 of the corresponding Global Series. Of all the players who sprang up in these decades, Washington fans have a fond remembrance for Canadian SP Dan Mews of the 60s and 70s, who is one of the best pitchers in history despite never winning a ring. Right now, the Americans are the hottest team in the CBC, even if they only have 1 pennant and 1 championship to prove it. It’s a great time to be a baseball fan in the nation’s capital.

(Almost there!)

Part VII - Columbian League West
Los Angeles Falcons
Founded: 1878
Formerly Known As: New York Falcons (1906-1952)
Stadium: LoftOwl Roost
Global Series Titles: 7 (1912, 1921, 1940, 1945-46, 1966, 1976-77, 2005)
Pennants: 15 (1912, 1921, 1939-40, 1942-46, 1966, 1976-77, 1987, 2003, 2005)
Playoff Appearances: 37
2023 Finish: 3rd in division (82-80), did not make playoffs

The Falcons are one of the CBC’s most successful teams, even before their move to the west coast in the 50s. Dozens of hall of famers have played for the team, from SS Kent Doubleday to CL Ji Su to SS Josh Copeland to SS Jose Aragon. The team has a massive fanbase, even if they haven’t been on their A-Game lately.

Portland Stags
Founded: 1952
Formerly Known As: Milwaukee Barbarians (1952-1963), Kansas City Bulls (1964-1981)
Stadium: Oregrocer Stadium
Global Series Titles: 2 (1964, 1968)
Pennants: 15 (1964, 1968, 2008)
Playoff Appearances: 21
2023 Finish: 4th in division (66-96), did not make playoffs

After a few relocations, the team originally gifted to Milwaukee in 1952 has settled down in Portland, Oregon, taking their name from the famous White Stag sign. Unfortunately, winning seasons have come sparingly for them, often with long gaps in between playoff streaks. Their last Global Series in 2008 saw them beaten 4 games to 2 by the Barons,  their last postseason berth in 2018 ended with a loss to Cincinnati. Maybe someday, the luck of the Stags will turn around…

San Diego Conquistadors
Founded: 1969
Stadium: Victory Movers Stadium
Global Series Titles: 5 (1981-82, 1990, 2021-22)
Pennants: 6 (1979, 1981-82, 1990, 2021-22)
Playoff Appearances: 20
2023 Finish: 2nd in division (82-80), lost to Miami in CLDs

Thanks to legendary SP Brett McNulty, the Conquistadors were a surprisingly good team in the last 20th century, winning back to back titles in the early 80s and another in 1990. Nowadays, they’ve picked up the pace, winning yet another back to back title. With a third playoff berth in a row last year, it looks like they’ll be able to keep the momentum going.

Seattle Killer Whales
Founded: 1955
Stadium: BCAir Grove
Global Series Titles: 1 (2001)
Pennants: 15 (1972, 1993, 2001)
Playoff Appearances: 22
2023 Finish: 1st in division (89-73), lost to San Diego in CLKOS

The Killer Whales are the former bridesmaid team, predating Arizona by decades. After two failed attempts at a title in 1972 and 1993, Seattle finally got its Global Series in 2001, defeating the Roadrunners 4 to 1. While the Whales have not been back since, Seattle is eager to see them return, especially after winning the CL West in 2023.

MitchSwanson94 wrote:

Why the Bulls leave KC despite winning two championships? Just seems odd to me. 

Low attendance.