Long Beach Coast Aims to Become Community's Baseball Team

New Pioneer League team hopes to build trust and reflect the city's rich sports history and culture

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:56pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Long Beach Coast baseball game, with the players, field, and stadium rendered in sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant blues, blacks, and greens.The Long Beach Coast's community-driven approach aims to make their inaugural season a unifying celebration for the diverse city of Long Beach.Long Beach Today

The Long Beach Coast, the city's new professional minor league baseball team, is gearing up for its inaugural season in the Pioneer League. Led by team president Ena Patel and manager Troy Percival, the Coast is focused on building a team that reflects the community's values and pride. From affordable ticket prices to cultural celebration nights, the team is working to create an experience that belongs to the people of Long Beach.

Why it matters

The launch of the Long Beach Coast represents an opportunity for the city to have a professional sports team that is truly rooted in the community. By prioritizing affordability, local culture, and giving back to the city, the Coast hopes to become a source of pride and unity for Long Beach residents.

The details

The Coast has quickly assembled a roster of baseball veterans, including manager Troy Percival, who brings experience from the Pioneer League. The team will play its home games at Long Beach State's Blair Field. While corporate partnerships have been slower to materialize, the Coast is focused on building trust and connection with the local community through affordable ticket prices, themed game nights celebrating Filipino, Native American, and other cultural heritages, and integrating the city's rich musical history, like a Sublime celebration.

  • The Long Beach Coast was announced in July 2025.
  • The team's home opener is scheduled for June 2, 2026.
  • The Coast will host seven $2 Tuesday night games throughout the 2026 season.

The players

Ena Patel

The Long Beach Coast's team president, with a background in community-building and culture-defining for professional sports teams like Angel City FC and Charlotte FC.

Troy Percival

The Long Beach Coast's manager, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who has coached in the Pioneer League, including leading the Idaho Falls Chukars to a championship series.

Warren G

A Long Beach rapper who is a minority owner of the Long Beach Coast.

Bryan Carmel

The co-founder of the Oakland Ballers, who pitched the idea of the Long Beach Coast to the city's public in a council meeting.

Troy Glaus

A former Anaheim Angels third baseman who is an assistant coach on the Long Beach Coast's staff.

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What they’re saying

“Long Beach has a long history, this field has a long history, it's had quite a few teams come in, but I think that we're going to be a different brand of baseball that they can be proud of.”

— Troy Percival, Long Beach Coast Manager

“I think just given Long Beach, how different of a city it is, how much pride it has, and such a rich sports history and specifically in baseball too, we couldn't think of a better market to launch a team in.”

— Ena Patel, Long Beach Coast Team President

“It's like we're trying to build a plane and fly it at the same time. That means being able to be flexible, being nimble, and being able to kind of learn about what the community wants and being able to kind of pivot and execute on that.”

— Ena Patel, Long Beach Coast Team President

What’s next

The Long Beach Coast will host its home opener on June 2, 2026, kicking off its inaugural season in the Pioneer League. The team is still finalizing its roster and promotional calendar, which will include themed nights celebrating the city's diverse culture and music scene.

The takeaway

The launch of the Long Beach Coast represents an opportunity for the city to have a professional sports team that is deeply rooted in the community's values and identity. By prioritizing affordability, local culture, and giving back, the Coast is aiming to become a unifying force that Long Beach residents can take pride in.