Jerry Gonzalez is one of the owners/partners of the Empire Baseball League. The League is a Professional Baseball Developmental Independent League, an organization established 2015 with partners Eddie Gonzalez and current MLB star Matt Joyce. If you would like an opportunity to get into professional baseball and climb up to the top, the Empire League is a stepping stone for players that were overlooked or undrafted. If you'd like the opportunity to pursue your dream, contact Jerry Gonzalez today.
WHAT IS THE EMPIRE LEAGUE?
The Empire League is a Professional Baseball Developmental Independent League, an organization established 2015. The league operates primarily out of the Northeast part of the Country in the states of New Hampshire and New York with a couple of teams in the Southeast in Georgia and Puerto Rico. The skill level of play for this Developmental League is considered equivalent to that of an affiliated Rookie ball to Class A-level of minor league baseball. It is an official Feeder League system that prepares and provides players to Pro Federation Leagues like the Frontier League, American Association, Atlantic League and International Pro Leagues. In addition MLB organizations have signed players in each and every year the league has operated.
WHAT IS THE EMPIRE LEAGUE'S PRIMARY MISSION?
The Leagues primary mission is to give players out of college a chance to pursue a professional career. The program is an educational experience to prepare players for the higher levels of Professional Baseball. It is a true opportunity for players to stay in shape, learn from experienced coaches and be provided with the chance to put up statistical numbers to be promoted with contracts to affiliated or pro federation independent teams. The Empire League wants to continue its great established reputation of providing players the highest opportunity at playing for the purpose of being recruited to the high level elite professional leagues such as the Frontier, American Association, Atlantic League, or even affiliated MLB teams.
DOES THIS LEAGUE PAY OR COMPENSATE PLAYERS?
The Empire League is NOT a JOB nor an Employment opportunity for players. There are No contracted Guaranteed Salaries. Why? Because the Empire League and its camps are simply a summer Pro Ball independent Baseball showcase opportunity for players to earn a Professional contract as we are not MLB, nor MiLB, nor a Pro Federation League affiliate.
Players that enroll in the Empire Showcase/Tryout program are eligible to play in the Empire League. A player selected will sign a Contract to participate with official terms. Players ARE compensated with housing, transportation and an expense stipend for additional meal assistance. Amount of money given to players is based on total days active with the team, and it is also based on their classification, no different than all independent professional baseball leagues or affiliated organizations. All Empire League participants are classified as Rookies. That is because if a player signs a Pro contracts to higher level Pro Leagues they would keep their player status and will be considered Rookies on the Pro Baseball Status classification of (Rookie 1 or Rookie 2). The Classification for a player would only be different if a player has over 150 at bats or a full year in MLB affiliated or Federation Pro Ball.
A players service time is measured in a per game day basis. A 30 day period where a game is played in each of the 30 days is considered one full month of service. (Example: 30 games played in a 2 month period does not mean a player or coach is compensated for 2 months of service, if only 30 games were played in only 30 of the 60 day period, then the compensation of service would only be for those 30 days). The expense stipend pay could be different per player ranging from $200-$400 for the month based on roster active dates, classification and contract agreement. Players that cause damages to housing, transportation or league facilities or properties will have their expense stipend REVOKED, it happens every year. In addition to the expense stipend pay, nightly housing and transportation is provided to the eligible players. This is a great benefit to the player because as we all know housing alone per player in the league's region has an estimated cost of over $2,000 for the month. Participating players must financially provide for themselves and are not in any way shape or form a financial responsibility of the Empire League. If players are looking for the Empire league to be their DREAM LEAGUE, then this is NOT the league for them. Players will not rely on their Empire league expense/food compensation to comply with personal financial responsibilities. Players will agree and understand that this is an opportunity league that provides the chance for higher leagues to offer them the actual certified paying salary contracts.
HOW DOES EMPIRE LEAGUE OPERATE?
The EPBL or EBL is a NON-PROFIT operation and is completely self funded by supportive charity partners and sponsors. Revenue streams such as Advertisement sales, Ticket Sales, National Camps revenue, donations and private funding is used to afford the function of the league. Participants in the Empire Tryout Camps or the League are considered program enrolled members.
The Empire League is NOT affiliated with any other Professional baseball organization in America, or the Pro Baseball federation. This Program is an independent showcase opportunity for a player to pursue a Pro baseball career at their own risk. Players do not earn an established salary as this is not an employment opportunity.
EMPIRE PRO SHOWCASE CAMP AND LEAGUE SPRING TRAINING INFORMATION
Only players accepted online are allowed into camp, to register for acceptance, fill out the form below. All players attending Empire spring training and Pro Baseball Showcase camp for a chance to make an Empire League Roster or be scouted to any of the Pro Leagues in attendance, are responsible for paying and covering their camp expenses. The League is NOT responsible for any of the following: Transportation to and from camp site or team sites, meals, and any personal expense at any time of the season. There is NO compensation for Spring Training, as Spring Training is simply a week long Indy Ball showcase and tryout camp opportunity to be sent to a pro league or make one of the teams in the Empire League. Only the players that attend Empire League Camp tryouts are eligible for Empire League Playing opportunity. Due to League fair play restrictions, no players are signed to team contracts from winter leagues, or outside showcase organizations, unless confirmed as an Empire League event. Rosters will be made following spring training. No Pre-season guaranteed contracts or roster spots are filled.
EMPIRE LEAGUE REGULAR SEASON
The Empire League plays an approximate 50 to 65 game schedule for the season. It is on weather, natural disasters, and playoff qualification. Players will have the opportunity to show they belong on a Professional baseball field while playing for one of the six teams in the Empire League.
EMPIRE LEAGUE POSTSEASON
Record of games during the season will determine who advances to the postseason. Top 4 teams in the final standings advance. There will be a 1 game playoff between the 1st seed and 4th seed and 3 game series between the 2nd seed and 3rd seed to see who advances to the 3 game Championship series. #1 seed will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. If #1 seed is eliminated, the better seeding team will have home field advantage in the Championship round. The Finals are played in conveniently located league facilities.