Minor league baseball team mulling move to Salinas

Salinas could be getting a minor league baseball team for the first time in more than 20 years.

The owners of the Bakersfield Blaze are exploring a possible relocation of the team to Salinas for the 2016 season.

The Blaze is part of the California League.

D.G. Elmore, the primary owner of the Blaze and part of a family that owns six other minor league baseball teams, is studying preliminary plans to build a privately financed stadium in Salinas.

There hasn’t been a minor league franchise in Salinas since 1992.

An architect and construction management firms have been retained to complete stadium designs and cost estimates.

Elmore plans to visit Salinas next week to explore the opportunities and present his plans to the city council at it’s Sept. 23 meeting.

The California League is made up of 10 teams throughout the state and is a Class A Advanced League, the third highest ranking within Minor League Baseball.