City of Lancaster officials have expressed disappointment that the Lancaster JetHawks will likely lose their affiliation with Major League Baseball.
The JetHawks became an integral part of Lancaster in 1996. Since then, the organization has been affiliated with five different MLB teams: Seattle Mariners (1996-2000), Arizona Diamondbacks (2001-2006), Boston Red Sox (2007-08), Houston Astros (2009-2016), and most recently the Colorado Rockies (2017-present).
For nearly 25 years, watching and connecting with the players each game, then seeing them progress and succeed by entering the major leagues, has given the Lancaster community a sense of pride.
In the best of times, JetHawks offered a fun-filled agenda of family-friendly entertainment including a kids activity zone, themed game nights, and the City of Hope Silver Sluggers program, where fans 60+ receive a ticket to every Wednesday & Sunday game. Every Friday game night, the team honors Hispanic and Latin communities by rebranding from the JetHawks to El Viento de Lancaster (The Wind of Lancaster) – creating a fun, electric energy.
Despite the pandemic and a canceled season, the JetHawks have worked to adapt to the current situation and continue to connect and support the community by creating contests and activities for families. They are keeping in touch with their biggest fans by doing drive-bys, which has brought smiles and joy to so many community members.
“The City of Lancaster is aware that the JetHawks may have lost their spot in Major League Baseball’s California League. We are saddened by the news that we will be losing the JetHawks – the one and only minor league team in all of LA County – after watching them play here for the past 24 years and cheering them on to two California League championships,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “We are currently evaluating our operational and legal options regarding the future of baseball in Lancaster.”
