Professional baseball officially returned to Long Beach on Tuesday night, June 2 — for the first time in nearly two decades.
More than 3,000 fans packed historic Blair Field for the nascent Long Beach Coast ball club’s inaugural home opener. But the sold-out crowd represented more than the debut of a new franchise. It was also a celebration of a city with deep baseball roots, from youth leagues and the Long Beach State Dirtbags to generations of major leaguers who have called the city home.
Backed by millions of dollars in private investment and a vision that extends beyond the game itself, the Coast are attempting not only to bring pro baseball back to Blair Field, but also to establish themselves as part of the civic fabric of Long Beach.
The celebration extended onto the field.
Fans of Long Beach Coast attend the inaugural opening day at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach Coast’s Jacob Jablonski scores against the RedPocket Mobiles during a Pioneer Baseball League game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Long Beach Coast’s Jacob Jablonski tags out the RedPocket Mobiles’ Marco Martinez during a Pioneer Baseball League game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Long Beach Coast and RedPocket Mobiles compete in a Pioneer Baseball League game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach Coast’s Jacob Jablonski celebrates after scoring against the RedPocket Mobiles during a Pioneer Baseball League game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Fans of Long Beach Coast attend the inaugural opening day at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach Coast’s Thomas McCaffrey is introduced before competing against the RedPocket Mobiles in a Pioneer Baseball League game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Mayor Rex Richardson throws the ceremonial first pitch during the Long Beach Coast’s inaugural opening day at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Long Beach Coast’s Jacob Jablonski tags out RedPocket Mobiles’ Marco Martinez during a Pioneer Baseball League game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Long Beach Coast’s Patrick Roche tags out RedPocket Mobiles’ Gianni Horvat during a Pioneer Baseball League game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Long Beach Coast and RedPocket Mobiles compete in a Pioneer Baseball League game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Fans of Long Beach Coast attend the inaugural opening day at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach Coast’s Brett Wozniak throws a strike against the RedPocket Mobiles during a Pioneer Baseball League game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Travis and Denise Baker cheer for Long Beach Coast during a Pioneer Baseball League game against RedPocket Mobiles at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, six-year-old Atlas Dillinger and Jon Dillinger attend Long Beach Coast’s inaugural opening day at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach Coast’s Jacob Jablonski celebrates after scoring against the RedPocket Mobiles during a Pioneer Baseball League game at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Fans of Long Beach Coast attend the inaugural opening day at Blair Field in Long Beach on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
After opening the season with a successful 9-3 road trip, the Coast delivered a memorable debut before the hometown crowd, defeating the RedPocket Mobiles 13-4 in the franchise’s first home game. Center fielder Emilio Corona provided one of the night’s biggest moments, ripping a two-run triple to deep center field in the eighth inning to cap the scoring and extend Long Beach’s lead to the winning margin.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson threw out the ceremonial first pitch, while the Jordan High School marching band filled the stadium with music and youth players from the Wolfpack Baseball program ran onto the field alongside Coast players. Families lined the concourse, children chased autographs and longtime residents gathered to witness a moment many hoped would signal the beginning of a lasting chapter for professional baseball in the city.
“It’s such a Long Beach thing,” said Aisa Rogers, a 77-year-old resident who has lived in the city for more than six decades. “I’ve always wanted to come to Blair Field. Life got in the way. I’m just thrilled.”
For Rogers, who attended the game with family members, the evening represented more than baseball. It was an opportunity to be part of a community moment unfolding at one of the city’s most iconic venues.
Seneith Noring, a Long Beach native who attended the game with his wife and two children, said the arrival of the Coast gives local families another reason to gather around the game.
“We already come out for all the Dirtbags games,” Noring said. “Now we can add the Long Beach Coast. It’s one more thing to keep the family together.”
His 10-year-old son, Caleb, arrived with glove in hand — and dreams of catching a foul ball.
“The best day ever,” Caleb said. “It’s my first Long Beach Coast game.”
For Melbourne Bardowell, the night carried a different kind of meaning. Sitting near the field before first pitch, Bardowell watched his son Matthew prepare for one of the biggest moments of his young baseball journey.
“It’s exciting to be here,” he said, “seeing him grow up from a little one, as he loves baseball.”
Local Rony Marquez brought his 4-year-old and 12-year-old, who both play baseball. Events like opening night can inspire the next generation, Marquez said, by giving children the opportunity to see where hard work and dedication can lead.
“Maybe that’s going to be his thing,” he said of his 4-year-old son’s future in the game.
Throughout the evening, youth baseball remained front and center. Among those taking part in the pregame festivities were players from the Wolfpack Baseball program, a youth organization based in North Long Beach. Fifteen players were invited onto the field to meet players, collect autographs and take part in the opening ceremonies.
Founded to serve young athletes across North Long Beach, the Wolfpack has quickly become a source of opportunity, mentorship and community for players ages 4 to 12. The invitation to participate in opening night, said founder and President Antoine Patton, gave his players a chance to see what is possible through dedication to the game.
“This is a great experience for our kids,” Patton said. “It gives them the opportunity to see older players play and keeps them motivated. Our whole goal is to help them think, ‘I can be there one day.’”
Several Wolfpack players were among the youngsters who ran onto the field before first pitch, sharing the spotlight with the Coast on a night designed to celebrate the future of baseball in Long Beach.
Austin Patton, 9, already seemed converted to Coast fandom.
“I’m just really excited,” he said, “and want to see how the Long Beach Coast do.”
The excitement extended beyond the stands.
Ryan Matsukawa, who works in data operations for the Coast and previously worked with the Long Beach State Dirtbags, said the atmosphere reflected the city’s longstanding connection to baseball.
“Long Beach has a lot of pride for baseball,” Matsukawa said. “I’m just super excited to bring it back here and have another team to add on to that.”
For team leadership, that connection is exactly the point. Innovation Baseball Partners cofounder Paul Freedman has emphasized that the Coast’s mission extends beyond wins and losses. The organization has committed $2 million toward improvements at Blair Field and launched community initiatives designed to make the team a lasting part of Long Beach life.
The ownership and investor group reflects that local commitment. Alongside Freedman, Long Beach trial attorney Minh Nguyen has invested in the franchise, while Long Beach hip-hop icon Warren G has joined as an investor and cultural ambassador. On Friday nights, the team transforms into the Long Beach Regulators, a nod to Warren G’s iconic hit “Regulate” and the city’s deep cultural identity.
“This isn’t just about creating a baseball team,” Freedman said earlier in the day. “It’s about creating community assets, civic pride and a gathering place for families and for the community.”
That commitment includes an initiative with Nguyen that will contribute $1,000 toward college scholarships for Long Beach Unified School District students every time a Coast catcher throws out a baserunner attempting to steal.
For Nguyen, a lifelong Long Beach resident who played baseball at Blair Field, the investment was personal.
“When the opportunity came about to invest in two things I love,” Nguyen said, “the city of Long Beach and baseball, I was all in.”
The Coast arrive at a pivotal sports moment for the city, with Long Beach set to have 11 events during the 2028 Summer Olympics, as well as benefitting from a partnership with the Los Angeles Galaxy during this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Taken together, Long Beach leaders and residents see sports as an increasingly important part of the city’s identity and economy.
“It’s been 18 years since we’ve had a professional team,” Marquez said. “My kids are getting into baseball right now, so being able to give them this experience is exciting.”
Marquez said he believes the return of baseball reflects the broader momentum building throughout the city.
“It’s exciting to see what the city can offer,” he said. “We have a lot to show.”