The 1997 California League was a Class A-Advanced baseball season played between April 3 and August 31. 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 High Desert Mavericks won the California League championship, as they defeated the San Bernardino Stampede in the final round of the playoffs.
League changes The league realigned their divisions from the North Division and South Division to the Freeway Division and the Valley Division.
Team changes The Bakersfield Blaze began a new affiliation with the San Francisco Giants. The High Desert Mavericks ended their affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles and began a new affiliation with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Visalia Oaks ended their affiliation with the Detroit Tigers and began a new affiliation with the Oakland Athletics.
Teams 1997 California League Division Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium Freeway Bakersfield Blaze Bakersfield, California San Francisco Giants Sam Lynn Ballpark Lake Elsinore Storm Lake Elsinore, California Anaheim Angels Lake Elsinore Diamond 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 Visalia Oaks Visalia, California Oakland Athletics Recreation Park Valley High Desert Mavericks Adelanto, California Arizona Diamondbacks Maverick Stadium Lancaster JetHawks Lancaster, California Seattle Mariners The Hangar 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
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The High Desert Mavericks finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time since 1993. The Lancaster JetHawks defeated the Modesto A's in a tie-breaking game to clinch the playoff qualifier position in the Valley Division.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed November 21, 2025 Freeway Division Team Win Loss % GB Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 77 63 – Visalia Oaks 71 69 6 San Bernardino Stampede 68 72 9 Bakersfield Blaze 62 78 15 Lake Elsinore Storm 61 79 16Valley Division Team Win Loss % GB High Desert Mavericks 83 57 – Lancaster JetHawks 75 66 8.5 Modesto A's 74 67 9.5 Stockton Ports 70 70 13 San Jose Giants 60 80 23
League Leaders Batting leaders 1997 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 21, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Ramón Hernández, Visalia Oaks .361 H Mike Stoner, High Desert Mavericks 203 R Mike Stoner, High Desert Mavericks 115 2B Mike Stoner, High Desert Mavericks 44 3B Joe Mathis, Lancaster JetHawks 15 HR Stan Cameron, High Desert Mavericks Mike Glendenning, Bakersfield Blaze Mike Stoner, High Desert Mavericks 33 RBI Mike Stoner, High Desert Mavericks 142 SB Justin Baughman, Lake Elsinore Storm 68
Pitching leaders 1997 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 21, 2025 Stat Player Total W J. J. Pearsall, San Bernardino Stampede Jeff Sobkoviak, High Desert Mavericks 14 ERA Ted Lilly, San Bernardino Stampede 2.81 CG Mick Fieldbinder, Stockton Ports 4 SHO Stevenson Agosto, Lake Elsinore / Rancho Cucamonga Kelly Wunsch, Stockton Ports 2 SV Mick Pageler, Bakersfield Blaze 29 IP Bill Malloy, Bakersfield Blaze 167.1 SO Jason Brester, San Jose Giants 172
Playoffs The High Desert Mavericks won their third California League championship, as they defeated the San Bernardino Stampede in three games.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Mike Stoner, High Desert Mavericks
See also 1997 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website