The 1996 California League was a Class A-Advanced baseball season played between April 4 and September 1. Ten teams played a 140-game schedule, as three teams from each division qualified for the post-season, the winner of each half of the season plus playoff qualifiers.
The Lake Elsinore Storm won the California League championship, as they defeated the San Jose Giants in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Riverside Pilots are relocated to Lancaster, California and are renamed to the Lancaster JetHawks. The club remained affiliated with the Seattle Mariners. The San Bernardino Spirit are renamed to the San Bernardino Stampede. The club remained affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Visalia Oaks began an affiliation with the Detroit Tigers.
Teams 1996 California League Division Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium North Bakersfield Blaze Bakersfield, California None Sam Lynn Ballpark Modesto A's Modesto, California Oakland Athletics John Thurman Field San Jose Giants San Jose, California San Francisco Giants San Jose Municipal Stadium Stockton Ports Stockton, California Milwaukee Brewers Billy Hebert Field Visalia Oaks Visalia, California Detroit Tigers Recreation Park South High Desert Mavericks Adelanto, California Baltimore Orioles Maverick Stadium Lake Elsinore Storm Lake Elsinore, California California Angels Lake Elsinore Diamond Lancaster JetHawks Lancaster, California Seattle Mariners The Hangar Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Rancho Cucamonga, California San Diego Padres Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter San Bernardino Stampede San Bernardino, California Los Angeles Dodgers Arrowhead Credit Union Park
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The San Jose Giants finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time since 1991.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed November 21, 2025 North Division Team Win Loss % GB San Jose Giants 89 51 – Modesto A's 82 58 7 Stockton Ports 79 61 10 Visalia Oaks 50 90 39 Bakersfield Blaze 39 101 50South Division Team Win Loss % GB High Desert Mavericks 76 64 – Lake Elsinore Storm 75 65 1 Lancaster JetHawks 71 69 5 San Bernardino Stampede 70 70 6 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 69 71 7
League Leaders Batting leaders 1996 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 21, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Mike Berry, High Desert Mavericks .361 H Tim Garland, San Jose Giants 171 R Dave Roberts, Visalia Oaks 112 2B Joe Erso, Lake Elsinore Storm 47 3B Shane Monahan, Lancaster JetHawks 12 HR Chris Kirgan, High Desert Mavericks 35 RBI Chris Kirgan, High Desert Mavericks 131 SB Dave Roberts, Visalia Oaks 65
Pitching leaders 1996 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 21, 2025 Stat Player Total W Darin Blood, San Jose Giants 17 ERA Darin Blood, San Jose Giants 2.65 CG Igor Oropeza, Bakersfield Blaze 4 SHO Darin Blood, San Jose Giants 2 SV Rich Linares, San Bernardino Stampede 33 IP Steve Woodard, Stockton Ports 181.1 SO Darin Blood, San Jose Giants 193
Playoffs The Lake Elsinore Storm won their first California League championship, as they defeated the San Jose Giants in five games.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player D. T. Cromer, Modesto A's
See also 1996 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website