On summer nights throughout the Golden State, cracks of the bat and roars of the crowd have become the soundtrack to a league where tomorrow’s professional talent takes center stage.
Now over a week removed from the midseason All-Star Game and with the postseason rapidly approaching, the depth of talent across this year’s California Collegiate League has been evident.
From towering home runs to dominant pitching and stellar defense, the 2026 CCL season has featured no shortage of high-level baseball, with more than 400 players representing some of the nation’s top Division I programs.
With 10 teams stretching from the Sonoma Valley to San Diego, the wood-bat league, founded in 1993, serves as the premier college baseball summer league on the West Coast and is widely regarded as one of the best in the country.
Each year, many of college baseball’s top players choose to call it their home.
The league provides elite player-development, exposure to both college and pro scouts, and a professional-style environment that refines players’ skills for big-time college baseball and beyond.
For over thirty years, the league has consistently developed pro talent, with nearly 300 former CCL players selected in the MLB Draft since the league’s inception.
Five have made their MLB debut, with Dominic Fletcher of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Caleb Kilian of the Chicago Cubs being the most notable.
Additionally, the 2026 draft saw 15 former players picked, including first-rounders Jackson Flora, Ryder Helfrick and Ace Reese.
“[The league] has definitely helped me get better, especially with the wood bats,” infielder Slater Nunez said. “The competition is really good.”
The league’s high level of competition is reflected in its talent pool, with players from every Power Four conference, as well as top mid-major leagues like the Big West and Conference USA, comprising the teams.
Teams are split between North and South divisions, with the winners of each playing for a league title in the annual CCL State Championship.
Each team plays a 40-game schedule over a nearly two-month period, facing the other teams in their respective division both at home and on the road, often playing as many as five days in a row, replicating a pro-style schedule.
At the end of the regular season, the winners of each division receive automatic bids to their respective division championship games, while the No. 2 and 3 seeds play for the second spot.
The winners of each division championship game then compete in the CCL State Championship, a best-of-three series to determine the league’s ultimate victor.
Despite the long and demanding season—and perhaps because of it, players develop strong bonds and create lasting relationships and memories with teammates.
“It’s a great vibe in the clubhouse, we all get along really well,” catcher Cooper Clouser said. “We’re all here to play baseball, it’s a great group of guys and we all like seeing each other succeed.”
Nunez and Clouser, who are both committed to Power Four programs, play for the Orange County Riptide.
The Riptide, led by manager Bryan Evans, were founded in 2015 by Moe Geoghegan and began CCL play in 2016. One year later, they were CCL champions.
Qualifying for the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons, the Riptide have maintained a reputation of excellence, producing multiple MLB players and nearly three dozen total draft picks.
In this year’s draft, Mississippi State third baseman Ace Reese, seen here playing for the Riptide in 2024, was drafted with the 24th overall pick by the Seattle Mariners.
Playing their home games at the Great Park Championship Stadium in Irvine since 2019, the team’s impact stretches far beyond developing players.
Games serve as a gathering place where families, friends and fans of the game alike can bond over America’s pastime—and their affinities for the team bat dog, Omaha—leaving behind the demands and stresses of daily life.
Outside of baseball, the Riptide consistently give back to the Orange County community.
Through youth baseball camps, its host family program, community partnerships, theme nights and fundraising opportunities for local Little Leagues, the organization has built meaningful connections throughout Orange County. By bringing collegiate athletes together with local families, young players, and fans, the Riptide have become a long-standing community presence.
“A number of the things that we like to find you can really count on from the Orange County Riptide is affordable, family-friendly fun,” general manager David Lamm said.
With the CCL State Championship postseason set to begin July 28, the Riptide and the rest of the league look to put a final stamp on another successful summer.
From elite competition on the field to the relationships formed off it, the CCL continues to provide an environment where players grow as both athletes and individuals.
The league’s combination of high-level baseball, experienced coaching, and community support has made it a valuable stop for collegiate players looking to improve and prepare for the next level.
Regardless of final standings, the CCL’s impact on its athletes will be evident in their play for years to come.
