The California Winter League is where free agent players come to get signed before the start of professional spring training. Players work directly with MLB scouts and independent league managers for a month in Palm Springs, CA. The goal of the CWL is to get players signed to professional contracts before spring training begins and help them develop before they report to their pro teams. Over the last 14 years, the CWL has seen over 850 pro contracts offered to its players. Whether you are a professional player looking to get a jump on the competition before reporting to spring training or you are right out of college and looking to jump start your professional career, the CWL will help you GET BETTER AND GET SIGNED!

If you are looking for a league to play in this winter that will GET YOU SIGNED, the California Winter League (CWL) is the place for you! Our 2024 CWL season runs from January 25th – February 18th, with coaches and players reporting Monday, January 22nd and departing Monday, February 19th

CWL Informational Videos:

   

Professional Instructors and Scouts

CWL instructors are not only highly qualified with years of experience to help make each player better, but many come to the CWL with the ability and eagerness to sign players from the league to their respective organizations.

The CWL has instructors and coaches from the following Independent Professional Baseball Leagues: Frontier League (MLB Partner), American Association (MLB Partner), Atlantic League (MLB Partner), the Pioneer League and the United Shorts Professional Baseball League; all of whom come with contracts in hand ready to sign players who stand out.

In addition to instructors, the CWL features MLB pro scouts from various organizations who routinely check out the talent at the CWL. All in all, 16 MLB organizations have signed CWL players, with CWL players currently playing at all levels of professional baseball, including the Major Leagues.

 

Professional Instructors and Scouts

Clemens interacts with California Winter League players

Clemens interacts with California Winter League players

Hall of Famer, Johnny Bench, giving CWL players hitting tips

Hall of Famer, Johnny Bench, giving CWL players hitting tips

10-time All Star and former NL MVP, Steve Garvey, speaking to CWL players

10-time All Star and former NL MVP, Steve Garvey, speaking to CWL players

Tommy John speaking to CWL players about pitching

Tommy John speaking to CWL players about pitching

Professional Opportunities

For players who have been overlooked in the draft or with independent professional teams, the best opportunities are here at the California Winter League to improve themselves, showcase their abilities, and GET SIGNED.

In fourteen seasons, we have helped 850+ players that have joined the CWL get professional playing opportunities.

In addition, the CWL and the longest running independent league, the Frontier League, entered an agreement naming the CWL as the Official Winter League of the Frontier League. Frontier League teams will be looking to sign players exclusively from the CWL instead of other winter leagues. Since 2015, every Frontier League team has guaranteed a spring training roster spot for a CWL player, however they have always gone above and beyond this agreement, typically signing 35-40 CWL players before spring training begins. In addition, CWL players do not count against Frontier League spring training roster limits. CWL players also cannot be cut from Frontier League rosters before spring training, meaning there is no fear of losing your spot before spring training begins. Players are paid for spring training in the Frontier League.

Over the past few years, several players have moved from the CWL to the Frontier League and on to MLB affiliated baseball including Kevin Lenik (Royals), Luke Barker (Brewers), Mickey Janis (Mets), Jarrett Martin (Giants, A’s, Rangers), and Danny Hoy (Mets), and Michael Stryffeler (Mariners, Giants). The CWL and the Frontier League have extended their agreement through 2024 and hope to continue to help aspiring professional baseball players achieve their goals and dreams. For info on recent CWL players who have signed professional contracts, click here.

Player Amenities

The CWL offers all of this plus amenities in the beautiful city of Palm Springs.

The beautiful Mt. San Jacinto, home of the famous aerial tramway.

The beautiful Mt. San Jacinto, home of the famous aerial tramway.

Palm Springs is located in the Coachella Valley and has the perfect climate for baseball. Palm Springs is a destination city and the area hosts Coachella, Stagecoach, Splash House, and many other marquee events every year that see hundreds of thousands of people travel from all over the world to the city. It is consistently in the mid-70s  and it rarely rains, so the CWL offers the best venue for preventing game cancellations due to weather as well as the best experience playing baseball anywhere in the world in the winter time.

During your time here you will stay at the upscale Marquis Villas Resort, which offers elegantly-furnished villas with fully-equipped kitchens, private patios or balconies, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a pool and spa.

Upscale Marquis Villas located near downtown Palm Springs.

Upscale Marquis Villas located near downtown Palm Springs.

 

Every game at Palm Springs Stadium will be broadcast live on CaliforniaWinterLeague.com so friends and families will be able to hear every pitch and every swing live from Palm Springs Stadium!

broadcasting

Broadcasters calling games and tracking advanced player statistics.

Other amenities include a membership to the newly renovated Eos Fitness, shuttle transportation to and from the gym, Villas and stadium, as well as local and national media coverage and exposure.

Full gym membership to EOS Fitness included.

Full gym membership to EOS Fitness included.