Camelback Ranch-Glendale named new home of AZ Fall League Desert Dogs

Glendale, Arizona -- The Arizona Fall League, Major League Baseball's annual graduate school for the game's top prospects, announces the relocation of its Desert Dogs franchise to Camelback Ranch-Glendale, the spring training home of the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, beginning in 2013.

The Fall League often is known as a showcase league because its players have the opportunity to display their skills for baseball scouts, general managers and farm directors. For baseball fans, it's a 40-day (six weeks prior to Thanksgiving) Valley of the Sun homestand featuring many of baseball's elite prospects.

Now two decades old, the Fall League has propelled over 2100 players (more than 60 percent) into the major leagues. They include 184 MLB all-stars, 11 MLB most valuable players and 3 Cy Young Award winners.

Arizona Fall League Director Steve Cobb states, "We are excited to add beautiful Camelback Ranch-Glendale to our mix of Arizona Fall League venues. The location adds a third team to the West Valley to bring geographic balance. As spring training tenants, Dodger and White Sox prospects assigned to our league will play for the Glendale Desert Dogs beginning this fall."

Camelback Ranch-Glendale President and General Manager Jeff Overton says, "Baseball is our business. Arizona Fall League baseball is a welcome addition to our state-of-the-art stadium and complex and the latest in a growing list of baseball activities. Besides Cactus League baseball, we also have hosted the Arizona (Rookie) League, Arizona Interscholastic Association state tournament and championship games, USA Baseball tournaments, Perfect Game tournaments and showcases, and fantasy camps. We always look forward to hosting more baseball and exposing our award-winning campus to new baseball fans."

Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers adds, "Bringing an Arizona Fall League team to Glendale presents a great opportunity for us. The 18 home games will help attract new visitors to our city and to the nearby amenities we have to offer such as Tanger Outlets, Cabela's and the Westgate Entertainment District."
The general managers of the Dodgers and White Sox are equally pleased with the new arrangement.

"We're excited to host some of the game's best prospects at Camelback Ranch-Glendale," says Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti. "This will give our players the opportunity to continue to train at their home facility which is one of the finest in baseball."

White Sox Senior Vice President/General Manager Rick Hahn adds, "Like most major-league organizations, the Chicago White Sox have long used the Arizona Fall League as a finishing school for our top prospects. Having Camelback Ranch-Glendale, one of the very best facilities in the Valley, serve as our AFL home will be a great benefit for our players and staff. Nothing beats the Arizona Fall League for general managers, scouts and even fans when it comes to seeing the very best prospects in baseball all at the same time and all in the same place."