California Winter League

What California Winter League does

The California Winter League (CWL) is a privately operated professional instructional baseball showcase league based at Palm Springs Stadium (1901 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs, CA), now in its 17th season after an inaugural 2010 campaign. The league organizes eight teams split between American and Canadian divisions — Washington Blue Sox, Oregon Lumberjacks, Palm Springs Power, Palm Springs Chill, Canada A's, Alberta Grizzly, British Columbia Bombers, and Manitoba North Stars — that compete across roughly six to eight weeks each winter (January–February). Its primary customer segment is free-agent baseball players with college or professional experience seeking exposure, and its primary buyers are MLB scouts and managers from the four MLB Partner Leagues (Frontier, Pioneer, American Association, Atlantic, and others) actively looking to sign players; over 950 CWL alumni have signed professional contracts and five have reached Major League Baseball, including Tyler Matzek (Atlanta Braves) and Luke Barker (Milwaukee Brewers).

The league's core product bundle for players comprises guaranteed playing time, Trackman performance data, catered daily meals, uniforms, equipment, clubhouse and gym access, and optional housing at Hilton Vacation Club Palm Canyon or Best Western Inn. The coaching staff is composed of current MLB scouts and managers from MLB Partner Leagues, making the league effectively a structured marketplace where supply (free-agent players) meets demand (independent-league evaluators) within a fixed winter window. Since 2015 the CWL has held the designation of Official Winter League of the Frontier League, and beginning January 22, 2026, every Palm Springs Stadium game is broadcast live on the Bally's Sports Live App — making CWL the first live baseball content on that platform.

The CWL monetizes through (1) one-time player registration fees, (2) per-game ticket sales at Palm Springs Stadium under heavy promotional pricing (2-for-1 Tuesdays, $5 Locals Day / Canada Day / Out-of-Towners Day, $3 draft beer Saturdays, free kids' admission on Sundays), and (3) a broad portfolio of local sponsorships (Agua Caliente Casino, Eisenhower Health, Bright/Sun Belt Rentals, City of Rancho Mirage, City of Indian Wells, Dave & Buster's, and others). Leadership is concentrated around Vice President and General Manager Justin Reschke. Headcount is 11-50, consistent with a lean seasonal operation; there is no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and revenue is not publicly reported.

Name

California Winter League

Legal name

California Winter League

Website

https://californiawinterleague.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The California Winter League is a private professional baseball showcase league based at Palm Springs Stadium, now in its 17th season, that places free-agent players on eight teams in front of MLB scouts and MLB Partner League managers seeking to sign professional contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Baseball Showcase League

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Baseball & Softball Leagues (MPAKAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Championship & Cup Organizers (MPAKADAB)

Keywords

• Professional baseball showcase
• Winter baseball league
• Free agent player development
• MLB scouting pipeline
• Independent baseball league

Headquarters

HQ city

Palm Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Player Registration Fees: Players pay to register for the CWL, which includes guaranteed playing time, Trackman data, catered meals, clubhouse manager services, gym membership, uniforms, equipment, locker room facilities, and optional housing.
2. Ticket Sales: The league sells general admission tickets and promotional ticket packages (e.g., 2-for-1 Tuesdays, Locals Day $5 admission, Canada Day $5 admission) for games at Palm Springs Stadium.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The California Winter League operates a multi-week professional baseball showcase season each winter at Palm Springs Stadium, fielding eight teams across American and Canadian divisions. Free agent players pay a registration fee to receive guaranteed playing time, Trackman performance data, uniforms, equipment, catered meals, and access to MLB scouts and MLB Partner League managers who serve as coaches and evaluators. Complementary offerings include stadium-attendance ticket sales with daily promotional pricing and an internship program across baseball operations, broadcasting, marketing, and related fields.

Product overview

The California Winter League is a single, unified professional baseball showcase league that serves as the official winter league of the Frontier League. The core offering is the CWL season itself, which runs January through February at Palm Springs Stadium. The league is structured around eight teams divided into Canadian and American divisions. Supporting offerings include player registration services with guaranteed playing time and Trackman data, optional player housing accommodations, and an internship program. The league has recently partnered with Bally's Sports for broadcast streaming and serves as a pipeline for players seeking professional contracts with MLB Partner League teams.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Player Registration for the California Winter League Season Annual paid registration for free agent baseball players with college or professional experience to participate in the CWL season, including placement on a team roster, guaranteed at-bats and innings, Trackman performance data, a catered meal each day, clubhouse manager services, gym membership, uniforms, equipment, and locker room facilities. Designed for free agent players seeking exposure to MLB scouts and MLB Partner League managers.
• General Admission Game Tickets Per-unit and bundled stadium admission tickets for fans attending CWL games at Palm Springs Stadium, including single-game general admission, triple-header day tickets covering all three games in a day (10:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM), and daily promotional discounts such as 2-for-1 Tuesdays, $5 Locals Day for Coachella Valley residents, $5 Out of Towners Day for non-local US residents, $5 Canada Day for Canadian residents, $3 draft beers on Saturdays, and free admission for kids 12 and under on Family Sundays.
• Optional Player Housing Accommodations Optional bundled housing for registered players during the CWL season at Hilton Vacation Club Palm Canyon (two-bedroom suites with full kitchen, pool, hot tub, fitness center) or Best Western Inn at Palm Springs (two-bed rooms with hot breakfast and pool). Available as part of the player registration package subject to availability.
• CWL Internship Program Structured paid or experiential internship placements offered by the league covering baseball operations, broadcasting, marketing, sales, graphic design, video production, web design, and athletic training, available across winter, spring, summer, and fall seasons. Designed for students and early-career professionals seeking sports industry experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30-40% of CWL participants receive a professional contract offer each season
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Bally's Sports (Bally's Sports Live App)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 January 2026Landmark exclusive broadcast partnership beginning January 22, 2026. Every game played at Palm Springs Stadium is broadcast live on the Bally's Sports Live App. The CWL is the first live baseball content on the app as Bally's prepares to become the primary carrier for Minor League Baseball (MiLB) for the 2026 season. This positions CWL players directly within the professional baseball ecosystem during peak scouting season.
• Frontier LeagueflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015The CWL is the Official Winter League of the Frontier League, the largest and longest-running MLB Partner League. All 18 Frontier League teams are represented at the CWL, with each team signing at least one CWL player to a professional contract. CWL players who sign with Frontier League teams are protected from being cut before spring training and do not count against Frontier League spring training roster limits.
• Agua Caliente Casino Palm SpringsminorOthersOfficial sponsor of the California Winter League as part of the league's partner program.
• Eisenhower HealthminorOthersHealthcare partner and sponsor of the California Winter League.
• Bright Event RentalsminorOthersEvent rental company listed as a partner/sponsor of the California Winter League.
• Sun Belt RentalsminorOthersEquipment rental company listed as a partner/sponsor of the California Winter League.
• City of Rancho MirageminorOthersCity of Rancho Mirage is a sponsor and promotional partner. On City of Rancho Mirage Day (February 7th), residents receive free admission, a hot dog, soda, and commemorative drink koozie.
• City of Indian WellsminorOthersCity of Indian Wells is a sponsor and promotional partner. On City of Indian Wells Day, residents receive free admission and a Power ticket.
• El Paseo JewelersminorOthersJewelry retailer listed as a sponsor of the California Winter League.
• Elmer'sminorOthersSponsor of the California Winter League.
• Aspen MillsminorOthersSponsor of the California Winter League.
• City AutomotiveminorOthersAutomotive company listed as a sponsor of the California Winter League.
• Dave and Buster'sminorOthersEntertainment venue listed as a sponsor of the California Winter League.
• Hilton Vacation Club Palm Canyon (Palm Springs)coreOthersPreferred housing partner for CWL players. Players can stay at the Hilton Vacation Club Palm Canyon in two-bedroom suites with four beds, two bathrooms, full kitchen, living room, and dining area. The resort features a pool, hot tub area, fitness center, and recreation areas near downtown Palm Springs and hiking trails. Housing is limited and players are encouraged to register early.
• Best Western Inn at Palm SpringsminorOthersAlternative housing partner for CWL players offering a more traditional hotel experience with one roommate in a two-bed room, hot breakfast included, pool area, and proximity to shopping and downtown Palm Springs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Cape Cod Baseball League: The premier amateur summer collegiate baseball league in the U.S. Operates a showcase format that funnels elite amateur talent toward MLB draft selection; comparable in its showcase-and-develop role, though at the collegiate rather than free-agent stage.
• Perfect Game: The largest amateur baseball scouting and showcase organization in the U.S. While primarily amateur-focused, Perfect Game's showcase events compete for scout attention and player visibility upstream of CWL's free-agent pool.

Direct peers

• Frontier League: The largest and longest-running MLB Partner League. CWL is the Official Winter League of the Frontier League, with all 18 Frontier League teams actively scouting and signing CWL players. Most directly comparable entity given formal partnership and shared player pipeline.
• Pioneer League: An MLB Partner League that focuses on collegiate-eligible and developing players. A documented signing destination for CWL alumni and a comparable showcase-style independent league structure.
• MLB Draft League: A summer collegiate showcase league with MLB partnership that creates draft-eligible player exposure. Most structurally analogous showcase-format competitor to CWL in the baseball development ecosystem.
• American Association of Professional Baseball: An independent professional baseball league designated as an MLB Partner League. Active recruiter of CWL alumni for its member teams; operates on a similar independent professional baseball model with a comparable talent-acquisition funnel.
• Pecos League: An independent professional baseball league operating on a low-cost, developmental model. Provides a parallel signing pathway for free-agent players that competes for the same talent pool CWL serves.
• United Shore Professional Baseball League (USPBL): An independent professional baseball league based in Michigan that signs CWL alumni. Operates a similar independent-league player development model with comparable season structure.
• Atlantic League: An MLB Partner League and historic independent professional baseball league. Listed as a signing destination for CWL alumni; provides the same professional-contract pathway that anchors CWL's value proposition.
• Australian Baseball League (ABL): The ABL is a professional baseball league that runs during the North American off-season (Australian summer). Functions as a winter professional showcase for players seeking international contracts, making it a direct seasonal-format peer to CWL.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/calwinterleague
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/calwinterleague
• Facebookfacebook.com/CaliforniaWinterLeague
• Instagraminstagram.com/californiawinterleague
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-winter-league

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Winter League