Long Beach’s independent baseball team, which has a dual identity of sports and rap music, is set to begin play on May 19 and will be known as the Long Beach Coast, while its hip-hop “alter ego” will be the Long Beach Regulators.
The team explained in a statement, “the Long Beach Regulators alter ego taps into Long Beach’s legendary ’90s hip-hop roots, unlocking superhero-level moments, bold creative collaborations, fan-powered energy, and one-of-a-kind in-season activations.”
The rapper Warren G, a member of the team’s ownership group and a Long Beach native, told “TMZ” in September he wanted Regulators be the team’s nickname in honor of his 1994 single “Regulate,” which the team describes as “an anthem that defined a city and a sound.”
The team likened its alter ego to those of superheroes and musicians such as Bruce Wayne (Batman), Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Eminem (Slim Shady).
“The Long Beach Coast and the Long Beach Regulators — a core identity paired with an alter ego, gives us room to explore different aesthetics and push the boundaries of what a baseball brand can look and feel like,” team President Ena Patel said in a statement.
“We want to build a brand where anyone in Long Beach can see themselves in it – who doesn’t have a little bit of an alter ego or super hero in them?”
Minor league baseball teams commonly have a secondary nickname.
Coast, Regulators and Parrots were announced Oct. 22 as the three finalists for the nickname after 4,862 votes were cast online in 35 states and at ballot boxes across Long Beach. Cruisers, Grit and Groove were the other semifinalists.
“The Long Beach Coast celebrates the connective thread that runs through every part of the city,” the team said. “Few cities embody duality as Long Beach does. Eleven miles of coastline tie together the West Side and East Side — where ocean meets concrete, hustle meets chill, and old-school roots meet new-school energy.”
The announcement was made by Mayor Rex Richardson Tuesday during the state of the city speech.
The Coast will play in the 12-team Pioneer Baseball League, one of four MLB Partner Leagues.
MLB defines the partner leagues as collaborating “with MLB on various initiatives while providing organized baseball to communities throughout the United States and Canada, and also expanding the geographic reach of the game,” as well as providing “development opportunities for young players throughout the country and for veteran players who seek a second chance to reach the major leagues” and “formal, MLB-sponsored programs to give people with diverse backgrounds additional playing and coaching opportunities.”
Unlike minor league teams, teams in partner leagues do not have formal affiliations with major league teams.
The Coast will play their opener May 19 against the Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers in Marysville to begin a 12-game road trip. They will play their home opener at Blair Field June 2 against the PBL Travel Team, which only plays road games.
The Coast will be managed by former Angel star reliever Troy Percival. Their coaching staff includes former Angel Troy Glaus, the MVP of the 2002 World Series.