The 2023 Pecos League season was the 13th season of professional baseball in the Pecos League, an independent baseball league which operates in cities in desert mountain regions throughout California, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas and Texas, since its creation in August 2010. There are 16 Pecos League teams, split evenly between Mountain and Pacific divisions.
The Roswell Invaders entered the season as the defending champions, having defeated the Tucson Saguaros, two games to one, in the league's 2022 championship series.[1]
Andrew Dunn returned as commissioner for the 2023 season.
The 16 teams in the league are split evenly between two divisions, Mountain and Pacific.
For the 2023 season, the league announced three expansion franchises: the Lancaster Sound Breakers, Marysville Drakes, and the Blackwell FlyCatchers.[2]
After competing in 2022, the Weimar Hormigas, Colorado Springs Snow Sox, and Wasco Reserve were not included as a member club in 2023. The Santa Cruz Seaweed moved to Vallejo, California.[3]
The season was played with a 50-game schedule with opening day in the Pacific Division on May 25, and opening day in the Mountain Division on May 31. The Regular season in both divisions will conclude on July 30.[4][5]
The Pecos League remains split into the Mountain Division and Pacific Division.
The top four teams in their respective divisions will qualify for the playoffs. The Playoffs will consist of three rounds, ending with the Champion of the Mountain Division facing the winner of the Pacific Division.
1. Eight teams will qualify for the playoffs
2. The team with the best record in each division will qualify as the division winner and be the number 1 seed. (Mountain and Pacific)
3. Each Division, Mountain and Pacific, will have the top four teams make the playoffs.
4. Playoff Location will be determined by ballpark availability, the proximity of travel, and standings. Both teams will host a playoff game when possible in the first round.
5. First Round will feature (4) seed vs. (1) seed and (2) seed vs. (3) seed in a Best of 3 series
6. Second Round will feature Winners of each first-round series in the division finals Best of 3 series
7. Finals Round will feature Winners of the Mountain Division vs Winners of the Pacific Division at location TBD.
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