Irvine is set to welcome a new Pioneer Baseball League franchise, a collaboration between the city and Innovation Baseball Partners that will debut at the Great Park Baseball Stadium in the summer of 2027.
A Strategic Partnership for Irvine’s Baseball Future
The arrangement projects $368,000 in annual revenue for the Great Park, while Innovation Baseball Partners will oversee upgrades to the stadium’s food and entertainment offerings and lead a marketing push to attract fans.
Councilmember William Go, who chairs the Great Park Board, expressed enthusiasm for the deal, noting that the partnership will deliver a premium ballpark experience that aligns with the city’s broader vision for recreational development.
Don Wakamatsu, a former World Series‑winning manager, will serve as Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations for Innovation Baseball Partners, steering the operational execution of the new team.
Innovation Baseball Partners already manages the Long Beach Coast and Oakland Ballers, and the Irvine venture marks another expansion of its baseball portfolio, reinforcing its presence across Southern California.