Officials unveil ‘Sacramento Pitch’ campaign, $1.8 billion in commitments and proposed ballpark site in the Bridge District
WEST SACRAMENTO — Sacramento and West Sacramento leaders formally launched their campaign Thursday to bring a Major League Baseball expansion franchise to the capital region, announcing a proposed waterfront ballpark site, $1.8 billion in public and private investment commitments, and a new organization to lead the effort.
The announcement, held at The Barn in West Sacramento’s Bridge District, brought together elected officials from two cities and two counties, tribal leaders, labor representatives and Sacramento baseball legends Dusty Baker and Derrek Lee.
“We are officially pursuing a Major League Baseball expansion franchise,” said Mark Friedman, CEO of Fulcrum Properties and chair of the newly formed Sacramento Pitch steering committee. “MLB has not yet formally announced an expansion effort, but when they do, Sacramento will be ready.”
The campaign, dubbed “Sacramento Pitch,” comes as the Athletics play temporary home games at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento while their permanent ballpark in Las Vegas is constructed. Both Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty and West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero said the A’s temporary relocation helped crystallize the region’s ambitions.
“A year ago, Martha and I were invited to throw out a first pitch at an A’s game, and we started thinking, the A’s are here in Sacramento. Would it be amazing if one day we could compete for an expansion team?” McCarty said. “One month later, Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred went on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball and outlined his plan for expansion. Just what we dreamed about.”
The Site and the Money
Friedman announced organizers have secured a 50-acre parcel in the Bridge District directly behind the press conference venue. The site is fully zoned and entitled, large enough to accommodate a modern major league ballpark with surrounding development.
“This effort is bigger than just the ballpark,” Friedman said. “It’ll be the catalyst for the development of a vibrant waterfront district with shops, restaurants and public amenities.”
The $1.8 billion in commitments includes a cornerstone investment from two regional tribal nations — the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and the United Auburn Indian Community.
“Their investment is not simply a financial transaction,” Friedman said. “It’s a recognition of their history, because Sacramento is not just their hometown, it’s their homeland.”
Guerrero detailed the projected economic impact, saying the Ballpark District would generate $1.77 billion in new revenue over 40 years for West Sacramento, Yolo County and area schools. Of that, $1 billion would be dispersed to West Sacramento and reinvested into the district, while $770 million would go to schools, the county and special districts.
“This $1 billion investment would be generated solely by activity in the Ballpark District,” Guerrero said. “It would not impact the city’s general fund or require a taxpayer vote.”
McCarty emphasized the region’s baseball heritage, from the 1869 exhibition game featuring the Cincinnati Red Stockings — America’s first professional baseball team — to the Sacramento Solons’ seven-decade run and the River Cats’ 25-year tenure at Sutter Health Park.
“Frankly, MLB could use Sacramento,” McCarty said. “We’re one of the largest and fastest-growing markets in the West. Yet despite this growth, Sacramento remains the largest media market in America with only one professional sports franchise.”
Barry Broome, CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, said the Sacramento region is already larger than seven current MLB markets and has ranked among the nation’s top 10 performing markets for three consecutive years.
“What’s going to put this over the finish line is the changing mindset inside our own community,” Broome said. “Shifting away from the naysayers to the doers. This is a doers town now.”
Todd Sciallo, president of the Sacramento-Sierra Building and Construction Trades Council, pledged full support from the region’s 16,000 skilled trades workers.
“Our members are very excited and proud to be a partner of a new stadium,” Sciallo said. “We have a local workforce that has earned a reputation for building and delivering projects on time and on budget. We did the Golden 1 Center, and it was on time and on budget.”
Sciallo also committed Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 447 to a corporate sponsorship deal with a future MLB team, similar to its existing partnership with the Athletics.
Baker, a three-time Manager of the Year and World Series champion, recalled moving to Sacramento in 1965 and watching the region produce roughly 40 major league players.
“As a kid growing up around here, baseball was it,” Baker said. “We played wherever we could play. And we had some of the best dudes in baseball — not only in Sacramento, but in baseball.”
Baker also highlighted former Pittsburgh Pirates owner Kevin McClatchy, a Sacramento native and member of the Sacramento Pitch steering committee who built PNC Park, widely regarded as one of baseball’s finest venues.
Lee, the 2005 National League batting champion and three-time Gold Glove winner, focused on what a team would mean for local youth.
“The opportunity of a Major League Baseball team in our city — for the youth to look up to, go to 80 games a year, follow their team, fall in love with the game, the team being out in the community — this is a big deal,” Lee said. “This is a major league city.”
Next Steps
McCarty closed the event with a direct appeal to residents, urging them to attend Athletics and River Cats games to demonstrate the market’s strength.
“One thing that none of the other cities have that are vying for an expansion team is an MLB team here today,” McCarty said, noting the New York Yankees are scheduled to play the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Friday. “Filling that house will only strengthen our case.”
The Sacramento Pitch steering committee includes honorary co-chairs McCarty and Guerrero, along with Baker, Lee, Broome, McClatchy, Friedman, Shingle Springs Band Chairwoman Regina Cuellar, West Sacramento Vice Mayor Verna Sulpizio, Visit Sacramento CEO Mike Testa and United Auburn Indian Community representative Sean Reilly.
“Let’s use an analogy from another sport — running,” McCarty said. “This is a marathon, not a sprint. Every day moving forward, we will continue to build momentum, strengthening our case and proving why Major League Baseball makes sense right here in Sacramento.”
This is a developing story we will expand and more details are released.
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