Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report

BASEBALL American Association: The independent American Association expansion team in the Milwaukee suburb of Franklin will be called the Milwaukee Milkmen when it starts play in a new 4,000-seat ballpark expected to be ready for the 2019 season. Barn Owls, Crop Dusters, Haymakers and War Pigs were the other nickname finalists. Texas Collegiate League: The summer-collegiate TCL is adding a Louisiana-based team called the Baton Rouge Rougarou, named after a mythical Cajun creature, for t... Full Story

Power Signs New PDC Agreement with the Seattle Mariners

CHARLESTON, W.V. - The West Virginia Power is excited to announce that the team has signed a new Player Development Contract through 2020 to become the Low-A South Atlantic League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The changeover to the Mariners marks the third Major League affiliate in Power history (Milwaukee, 2005-2008, and Pittsburgh, 2009-2018). "Joining the Seattle Mariners family is an exciting moment for our franchise," said Power Executive Vice President Ken Fogel. "The Mariners boast a minor league system filled with talent that we cannot wait to showcase at Appalachian Power Park... Full Story

Jim Combs to Step Down as SPHL President

HUNTERSVILLE, NC - The Southern Professional Hockey League announced on Monday that League President Jim Combs will be stepping down to pursue other opportunities, effective November 30. Combs leaves the SPHL after 11 seasons with the league following his hiring prior to the 2007-08 season and his promotion to President before the 2010-11 campaign. "I am very thankful to have been part of the SPHL," said Combs. "On my first day, I told our Board of Gov- ernors that we were going to become the leader in Single-A hockey, and through the efforts of our own- ers, players, coaches, officials, st... Full Story

Liberty Division Championship Belongs to Long Island

(Bridgewater, N.J.) - The Long Island Ducks defeated the Somerset Patriots 3-2 in 10 innings on Sunday night in Game Five of the Liberty Division Championship Series at TD Bank Ballpark. The Ducks win the best-of-five series three games to two and are the 2018 Liberty Division Champions! Long Island struck first in the top of the second inning when Taylor Ard doubled and then came home to score on a two-out RBI single by Rubi Silva off Patriots starter Bobby Blevins. Somerset responded in the bottom of the third when Endy Chavez grounded a two-run single up the middle off Ducks starter Denn... Full Story

• Roadrunners Announce 2018 Training Camp Roster - Tucson Roadrunners (AHL)
• Power Signs New PDC Agreement with the Seattle Mariners - West Virginia Power (SAL)
• Ontario Reign Announce Roster Moves - Ontario Reign (AHL)
• Josh Lawrence Named Ultramar Player of the Week - (QMJHL)
• Jim Combs to Step Down as SPHL President - (SPHL)
• Blazers Reduce Roster to 24 Players - Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
• Havoc Turn to Crimson Tide for Rookie Defender - Huntsville Havoc (SPHL)
• Reign FC Loans Jess Fishlock to Olympique Lyon - Seattle Reign FC (NWSL)
• Sound Tigers Announce Training Camp Roster - Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL)
• Northwoods League Announces Rawlings 'Big Stick' Award Winners - (Northwoods)
• All Today's Minor League News
  

• National Women's Soccer League averaged over 6,000 fans per game for first time in 2018 - NWSL Portland Oregonian
• Bandits look to load up at NLL draft with two early picks - NLL Buffalo News
• Mike Singletary embracing new challenge with Memphis Express - AAF WMC Action News
• The Galaxy stays alive in playoff chase thanks to win over Seattle - MLS Los Angeles Daily News
• Connor Dewar wills Silvertips to first WHL win of season. - WHL Everett Herald
• Rockford IceHogs open camp with new leaders, small amount of time to prepare - AHL Rockford Register Star
• 3 more players assigned to Comets - AHL Utica Observer-Dispatch
• Newest Walleye forwards drawn to organization's stellar reputation - ECHL Toledo Blade
• Minnesota United gets short-lived lift from midfielders Bob, Maximiano - MLS Minneapolis Star Tribune
• Tampa Bay Lightning sends two veterans to Syracuse Crunch - AHL Syracuse Post Standard
• All Today's Minor League Headlines

Sacramento Republic FC defender Emrah Klimenta (21) vs. OKC Energy FC

See All Today's Images The following minor league and alternative professional sports teams on OurSports Central have been viewed the most over the last seven days:

1. Winnipeg Goldeyes - American Association (AA)
2. Newfoundland Growlers - ECHL (ECHL)
3. Belleville Senators - American Hockey League (AHL)
4. Soo Greyhounds - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
5. Trois-Rivieres Aigles - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
6. Toronto Marlies - American Hockey League (AHL)
7. Sudbury Five - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
8. Quebec Les Capitales - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
9. Tucson Sugar Skulls - Indoor Football League (IFL)
10. Mississauga MetroStars - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)

The most recent minor league and alternative professional sports teams added to OurSports Central:

• Baton Rouge Rougarou - Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
• Vancouver Warriors - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
• Boston - Major League Rugby (MLR)
• Atlanta - Major League Rugby (MLR)
• Halifax - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
• Tucson Sugar Skulls - Indoor Football League (IFL)
• Austin FC - Major League Soccer (MLS)
• Mississauga MetroStars - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
• Chattanooga - United Soccer League Division III (USL D3)
• Enid - Champions Indoor Football (CIF)

OurSports Central provides coverage of select alternative and minor league professional sports leagues in addition to the top junior hockey leagues and college wood bat baseball leagues:

BASEBALL
Affiliated Minor League Baseball
ApL, AzFL, AzL, CalL, CarL, EL, FSL, GCL, IL, ML, MWL, NWL, NYPL, PCL, PL, SAL, SL, TL
College Wood Bat Baseball
Alaska, Cape Cod, Coastal Plain, FCBL, GWL, NECBL, Northwoods, PGCBL, Prospect, TCL, WCL
Independent Minor League Baseball
AA, AtL, Can-Am, FL, PA, Pecos

BASKETBALL
Men's Minor League Basketball
G League, NBL Canada
Women's Basketball
WNBA

FOOTBALL
Indoor/Arena Football
AAL, AFL, CIF, IFL, NAL
Outdoor Football
AAF, CFL, XFL

HOCKEY
Junior Hockey
NAHL, OHL, QMJHL, USHL, WHL
Minor League Hockey
AHL, ECHL, FHL, SPHL
Women's Hockey
NWHL

LACROSSE
Indoor Lacrosse
NLL
Outdoor Lacrosse
MLL

OTHER
Other Sports
MLR
Other Women's
NPF, WTT

SOCCER
Indoor Soccer
MASL
Outdoor Soccer
MLS, USL, USL D3
Women's Soccer
NWSL