UPDATE: New Pacific Association Member Alters Stars’ Schedule

July 5, 2013, 3:18 PM HST
* Updated July 7, 3:54 PM

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***Updated at 3:55 p.m. on Sunday, July 7 to include a revision to the East Bay series, per a release from the Hawai`i Stars.***

The Hawai`i Stars announced Friday that they have had to adjust a portion of their upcoming home schedule to accommodate a new member of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs

The Stars were scheduled to host the Vallejo Admirals July 17-21 in a six-game series. However, the Admirals, who are currently hosting Hawai`i in a six-game series, will be replaced in the series by the East Bay Lumberjacks, who the league announced Friday will immediately become its newest full-time member.

A press release by the league stated that the Lumberjacks were trying out for full-time membership status by playing against league teams as a travel club. They will continue to travel for the rest of this season, but will now have their game results count toward league standings and a potential playoff spot.

“This is a very important first step in assuring the long term stability of the Pacific Association,” said Pacific Association Commissioner Mike Marshall in the release. “We envision a stronger league with more local Bay Area teams competing against other as well as teams from throughout the Pacific region. The Lumberjacks have demonstrated their competitive and financial capacity and we welcome them to our league.”

In response to an e-mail inquiry, Joe Fontana, President and General Manager of Vallejo, said that the decision to be replaced on the Hawai`i trip by East Bay was “coordinated through the commissioners office with input from all team owners.”

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“With the advent of a new team in the league a huge challenge was the manner in which all teams involved worked them into the schedule during the 2013 season and beyond. By the Lumberjacks agreeing to go to Hawaii in place of the Admirals, it allowed us to stay at home and focus on building up our fan base here in Vallejo,” said Fontana in a press release. “We are grateful to the league, the Lumberjacks and the other members of the Pacific Association – the San Rafael Pacifics, the Hawaii Stars and the Maui Na Koa Ikaika – for this opportunity to continue to strengthen and build our franchise at home.”

Vallejo will play additional games against other Pacific Association clubs to make up for the cancellation of the 12 games that made up the Hawai`i trip.

The Stars swept East Bay in a three-game series June 18-20 at Wong Stadium. Both teams will meet on July 16 and 17 beginning at 5:35 p.m. at Wong Stadium. It was originally announced that both teams would play doubleheaders on both days, but after looking at the amount of pitching expected to be used, the teams and the league agreed to play one game only on those days.

After taking the next two days off, the clubs will play one more nine-inning game beginning at 1:35 p.m. on July 20 at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo baseball stadium.

Stars Sign Wilson

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According to the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs’ website, the Stars signed infielder Stuart Wilson prior to Wednesday’s game.

Wilson started at third base in Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to the Admirals before moving to center field. He batted 0-for-4 in his Stars’ debut.

He hit ninth in the order the following night and batted 0-for-3 with a strikeout as the Admirals defeated Hawai`i 12-1.

The Stars enter Friday’s matchup with the Admirals holding a 13-20 record.

Hawai`i Stars remaining home schedule (all games at Wong Stadium unless noted)

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Thursday, July 11 – San Rafael Pacifics (5:35 p.m.)

Friday, July 12 – San Rafael (5:35 p.m.)

Saturday, July 13 – San Rafael (DH – 1:35 p.m.and 5:35 p.m.)

Sunday, July 14 – San Rafael (1:35 p.m.)