Folsom Pioneers

• Location: Folsom, CA
• League: West Coast Collegiate Baseball League/Tri State -2013
• Stadium: Folsom High School

Mission Statement

Established in 2004, the Folsom Pioneers were a summer wooden bat baseball team for amateur and collegiate athletes. A non-profit organization 501(c) (3) that aims to increase player exposure and better the communities within and around Folsom, California by providing an entertainment that fosters competition and professionalism.

History of the Folsom Pioneers

2004-2006
Team operated by Gregor Wakefield

2007
Team purchased by Mike Carter (2000 Folsom High graduate) - joined the Pioneers as a catcher in the 2004 inaugural season

Front Office

• President/CEO: Mike Carter

On-Field Staff

• Head Coach: Brant Cummings
• Assistant Coach: Ben Buker

History of Folsom

The City of Folsom has a rich history beginning in 1849 when miners began searching the Sierra Nevada foothills for gold. Known as Granite City at that time, Joseph Folsom lobbied for a railroad that would connect Granite City to Sacramento. The railroad turned the new city into hub for commerce between Sacramento and mining camps throughout the area. Granite City was later renamed Folsom in Joseph Folsom's honor.

Folsom State Prison, a maximum security prison, was built in 1880. In 1913, the first games between semi-pro baseball teams and convicts were played inside the prison. 1943, the annual game between major leaguers and the prison team was suspended after two prisoners had escaped. Johnny Cash held a concert inside the prison in 1968 inspired by his hit song Folsom Prison Blues.

Folsom Dam was built in 1956 and provided much needed flood control for the Sacramento Valley. The creation of dam created one of the most popular lakes in Northern California, Folsom Lake.

Year round visitors come to Folsom Lake to fish, hike, camp, horseback ride, water ski, boat, and swim.

Folsom Rodeo has entertained neighbors and residents of Folsom for years at Dan Russell Arena. The annual event starts with a concert and community picnic at City Park.

Sutter Street located above the shores of Lake Natoma and the American River is a three block strip of historical landmarks, great scenery, shopping and fine dining locations. Since the middle of the 19th century and still today, Sutter Street is considered the "heart" of Folsom.

Description of the Area

Located thirty minutes from California's state capital, Folsom is known for being an upper middle-class suburb of Sacramento. With a rich history, beautiful parks, a great school system and strong sense of community; Folsom has attracted newcomers looking for housing and good jobs.

Folsom is also home to the largest private employer in the Sacramento Area, Intel Corporation.

Sacramento is a Baseball Town

Sacramento River Cats have led all of Minor League Baseball in attendance since their inaugural season in 2000

"Baseball is as much a part of our heritage in Sacramento as the Gold Rush." - Former Sacramento Solon Bill McNulty

Is Folsom a Baseball Town?

1849 - Gold Rush Hits Folsom

The Gold Rush brought baseball to California. The City of Folsom has a rich history beginning in 1849 when miners began searching the Sierra Nevada foothills for gold. Folsom was a mining town known as Granite City.

1913

First games between semi-pro baseball teams and convicts were played inside Folsom Prison.

1930s

"In this city of 3,000 [Folsom] two-thirds of the population eat, sleep, drink, think and talk about nothing but baseball during the season." wrote Jack Montgomery in Baseball Magazine

1943

Annual game between Major Leaguers and convicts at Folsom Prison was suspended after two prisoners had escaped.

June 3rd, 2007 - First Pioneer Home Game

After 60+ years, Semi-Professional Baseball Comes Back To Folsom

Related Links

Folsom Pioneers Home page