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The league was founded in 1994 by Portland businessman Bruce L. Engel. It began play in 1995, with the following teams:
Long Beach won the initial league championship.
In 19961996 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty''. Events January January 5 Hamas operative Yahya Ayyash is killed by an Israeli-planted booby-trapped cell phone Jan, Surrey left the league, and the Reno, NevadaThis article is about the city in Nevada. There is also a much smaller Reno, Texas. Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 180,480, making it the second largest city in Nevada, after Las Chukars were added. Long Beach won its second consecutive title.
In 19971997 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Reef''. Events January January 3 NBC's Today Show Bryant Gumbel signs off for the last time January 8 Mister Rogers receives a star on t, the Palm Springs team decided to move to Oxnard, CaliforniaOxnard is a city located in Ventura County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 170,358. Geography Oxnard is located at 34°11'29" North, 119°10'57" West (34. 191292, -119. According to the United States Census Bureau, the, but sat out the year while they made their move. The team added the Chico, CaliforniaChico is a city located in Butte County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 59,954. It's home to California State University, Chico. Chico was founded in 1860 by General John Bidwell, and became incorporated in 1872. Heat. Chico won the league championship in their first season in the league.
In 19981998 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Ocean''. Events January January 1998 A massive ice storm, caused by El Nino, strikes New England, southern Ontario and Quebec, resulting, the Salinas team disbanded, and the Oxnard team rejoined the league. The Sonoma County team won the league championship. The Grays Harbor team had suspended operations halfway through the season, and the league took over management of the team, which went on an extended 68-game road trip with no home stadium.
In 1999, the team disbanded the former Grays Harbor team, and operated six teams for the season. Tri-City won the league championship for the year.
In 2000, the league expanded to include Yuma, Arizona and Scottsdale, Arizona, which called itself the Valley Vipers. The Zion Pioneerzz won the league championship.
In its final year of 2002, the Western Baseball League operated six teams. In the Northern Division were the Chico Heat, Sonoma County Crushers, and the Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox. In the Southern Division were the Long Beach Breakers, Solano Steelheads, Yuma Bullfrogs. The Chico Heat won the league championship in the league's final season.