Long Beach Coast Will Compete in KBO Fall League

The Long Beach squad will head to South Korea for the tournament starting on October 15, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Baseball

Expressive sports illustration of a baseball player in mid-swing, using bold brush strokes and navy and gold team colors. — The Long Beach Coast baseball team will travel to Ulsan, South Korea, to compete in the KBO Fall League from October 15-31, 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Long Beach Coast will become the first American team to participate in the KBO Fall League in Ulsan, South Korea. The tournament is scheduled to run from October 15, 2026, to October 31, 2026.

Why it matters

The trip serves as a mechanism to scout players and build organizational relationships for a new team in Irvine. League officials are drawing inspiration from the KBO and Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball League.

The roster draws players from the Long Beach Coast, Oakland Ballers, Yuba-Sutter Freebirds, Winnipeg Goldeyes, Cleburne Railroaders, and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. This marks the first time an American team will participate in the South Korean league.

The players

Don Wakamatsu

He is the manager of the Long Beach Coast squad for the KBO Fall League and is a former MLB skipper.

John McLaren

He is an assistant coach for the Long Beach Coast team during their appearance in the KBO Fall League.

Long Beach Coast

They are the first American baseball team to participate in the KBO Fall League.

The details

The squad is managed by former MLB skipper Don Wakamatsu, with John McLaren serving as an assistant coach. The team composition utilizes talent from various Pioneer Baseball League teams and other independent professional leagues.

The KBO Fall League begins in Ulsan on October 15, 2026.
The KBO Fall League concludes in Ulsan on October 31, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This international appearance marks a strategic expansion in how independent league teams build talent pipelines and organizational standing. It positions the new Irvine-based organization to integrate global scouting methods similar to those used by the Nippon Professional Baseball League.

The participation of these players in the KBO Fall League may influence roster decisions and trade availability for the upcoming independent league seasons. This tournament provides scouts with a specific performance environment to evaluate talent against international standards.

The takeaway

This venture represents a significant shift in how independent American teams seek to build competitive rosters through international exposure. Players involved will gain unique experience that may distinguish them during future professional contract negotiations.