Photo courtesy of UC Riverside Athletics.
It’ll be an uphill battle to get the city to buy into the new professional baseball team coming to Long Beach. Local fans have already watched three pro teams arrive in the city since between 1995-2009—none of which lasted more than five years.
But with the team’s logo, branding, and even its name still yet to be announced, the Long Beach Baseball Club may have already won some fans over last week with its announcement of former Anaheim Angels pitcher and World Series champion Troy Percival as its inaugural manager.
“I’m a Southern California guy. I’m familiar with coaching in this league, and this is a chance for me to get to do it close to home,” Percival said over the phone. “Long Beach has an incredible baseball history and I’m excited to build a team from the ground up.”
Originally from Fontana, Percival’s career has been rooted in Southern California, where he spent most of his 14-year MLB career with the Angels and famously pitched the final out of the 2002 World Series. He began his coaching career with a six-year stint at his alma mater, UC Riverside, before spending the past two seasons with the Idaho Falls Chukars.
The Chukars are part of the Pioneer League, the same MLB Partner League that the Long Beach Baseball Club is joining. Innovation Baseball Partners is the ownership group of the new club and includes members of the Oakland Ballers’ ownership team.
“Troy is a proven winner, both as a player and a coach,” said Jamie Rosenberg, co-founder of IBP. “His accomplishments as a player made lasting memories for Southern California baseball fans. We’re thrilled to have him back in the community leading our Long Beach team.”
Shortly after his hiring, the team also announced that Percival will be joined by former teammate and four-time MLB All-Star Troy Glaus as an assistant coach. Glaus had stints with five MLB teams after being drafted by Anaheim and was named the World Series MVP during that legendary 2002 championship run.
“It’s going to be a blast with [Glaus]. I’ve been really close with Troy for a long time and to get him an opportunity to share his knowledge with the young guys is huge,” Percival said. “He’s tried the high school level but I think this is more the level I envisioned him at and I think he’s going to enjoy it.”
Regarding the teams that have come and gone in Long Beach, Percival can’t promise much for an organization that’s just getting started. What he can promise is the intensity of play that a Percival-led team brings.
“The best thing that I can offer is that any team that plays for me will be playing exciting baseball,” Percival said. “We’re going to play hard because I don’t tolerate not playing hard. So if you come and watch a game you’ll never be disappointed in the effort level. You’re going to see kids that are hungry not just to play, but to win.”
Part of what comes with a minor league team isn’t just players who are hungry to play, but players who are eager to reach the majors. Above all, though, Percival believes that being a part of a winning team is what helps them get there.
“I get that everyone wants to get to the next level, but there are no scouts out there looking for players on the last place team,” he said. “So my kids know to go out there and play hard, and we have fun. There’s no reason to play the game if you’re not going to enjoy what you’re doing.”
Percival is excited to build a local team from scratch, and says he’s even turned down multiple MLB bullpen-coaching opportunities to do it. After spending the past two years building the organization in Idaho, he already has more than 20 players from that roster under contract in Long Beach—most of them Southern California natives. He plans to spend time looking for local talent to fill out the rest of his roster.
Last year, Percival led the Chukars to the Pioneer League championship series. For an Innovation Baseball Partners ownership group already involved with a successful Pioneer League program in the Oakland Ballers, Percival became a clear fit for the new team in Long Beach.
“Players look up to him, not only for what he’s done in his career but also for how he leads,” Rosenberg said of Percival. “We feel fortunate to have him with us bringing that energy and spirit to professional baseball in Long Beach.”
Percival’s hiring comes as the Long Beach Baseball Club continues to target beginning play next spring on Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. The team recently closed its naming contest, before narrowing the list down to three finalists: the Long Beach Coast, Parrots, and Regulators. The official name, branding, and logo are set to be announced in January 2026.
