UPDATE ON THE INDIANS

Founded in 1944, the Santa Maria Indians Baseball Club is one of the oldest and most respected semi-pro baseball teams in the nation. The club is one of only two from The Golden State to win the prestigious National Baseball Congress (N.B.C.) Tournament in Wichita, Kansas.

Over the last seven decades, numerous future major leaguers such as Jackie Jensen, Jim Lonborg, Mike Aldrete, Robin Ventura and Ozzie Smith have worn a Santa Maria Indians uniform. Thousands more have learned life’s lessons and provided countless hours of family entertainment to the citizens of Santa Maria while honing their baseball skills with the Indians.

When Indians’ General Manager, Clarence “Scoop” Nunes, passed away in late 2003, there was a very real possibility that the Indians had played their last game. Fortunately, from 2004 through 2008, the team enjoyed a great deal of on-field success and was once again regarded as one of the quality summer programs on the west coast. The Tribe experienced off-field success also, as attendance increased every year from 2004 through 2008.

This made the decision to suspend operations in 2009 a very difficult one. However, each and every year, the costs associated with running a ballclub continue to rise. Because of the current economic climate, the financial support necessary to fund the Indians’ operation has been absent.

As the economy is now showing signs of recovery, team officials are hopeful that the Indians will be able to return to the field in either 2010 or 2011. In the meantime, the club intends to seek additional sponsors and investors and would consider selling the franchise in its entirety if such a transaction would ensure a successful long-term future for the team. Since the City of Santa Maria has made it clear that no money is available for a new facility or a renovation of Elks’ Field, the Indians have not ruled out the possibility of relocating the franchise to another municipality.

The Indians would like to thank their many loyal fans for their continued support and encourage them to check back here for updates on the team’s future plans.

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